Page 54 of An Arranged Betrothal with a Contrite Duke
Marcus gave him a knowing smile and nodded.
“That sounds like a delightful idea,” he said.
Michael gladly poured them each another drink, and for a moment, Marcus even changed the conversation. He spoke of his fencing match against one of his friends, which was the reason he had needed Michael’s late brother’s equipment in the first place. But after another three drinks, and after the room began to spin, Marcus’s expression grew serious once more.
“Will you just let Lydia go?” he asked.
Michael sighed.
“I do not see that I have much choice, Cousin,” he said. “I cannot force her to return. She has every right to be upset with me.”
Marcus shook his head, putting his glass down clumsily on the desk.
“If you truly love Lydia, you must do everything in your power to convince her of that,” he said. “Promise her happiness, give her anything she desires. She will forgive you.”
Michael sighed heavily.
“I would, Cousin,” Michael said, his voice breaking. “But she clearly refuses to even see me, and she would surely never answer my letters. I fear I have lost her forever.”
Marcus shook his head, taking another sip of his port.
“You cannot give up, Michael,” he said. “Find a way to make her understand your love and remorse. Only then will you have a chance at winning her back.”
Michael shook his head, but he couldn’t say a word. He wanted to take his cousin’s suggestion. Nothing would make him happier than to win Lydia back. But he truly felt it was hopeless. How could he win back a woman who wouldn’t even return home to collect her own things?
Chapter Twenty-seven
It took hours for Lydia to fall asleep. She tossed and turned, trying to understand how Michael could have done something so horrible as to buy her hand in marriage for a lousy vase. She tried to reconcile the idea that he didn’t know her before they started courting. But she couldn’t get past the idea that her father would ever find it acceptable to trade the life of another person for a material possession. Moreover, how could the man who married her do such a thing? Did she truly mean so little to the people in her life?
When she finally rose, her heart was heavy with the things that had happened with Michael. But she had one thing about which to be happy. The school would be opening soon, and Miss Carrick had volunteered to bring in a small group of children as a bit of practice before the school officially opened its doors. She decided that the best way of easing her heartbreak was to go to the school and see how the new teacher was faring.
She called for Hester, waiting for the lady’s maid before she approached her wardrobe. Her spirits were still heavy, even with the prospect of seeing her school functioning and educating minds as she had always dreamed. She hoped that she would be able to find true joy for the project again. But Michael had taken away her ability to feel genuine happiness.
A horrifying thought struck her while she waited for Hester. What if Michael was angry with her for not returning and shut down the school? It would be a horrid thing to do. But clearly, Michael was not the kind, caring man she once believed him to be. And it was within his rights as a man, and as her husband, to take away anything he gave her, for any reason he chose. She swallowed, her heart beginning to pound. Michael had done one terrible thing already. There was nothing stopping him from doing that, as well.
I will fight to protect my school, she thought firmly. Father will surely help me keep it somehow. I will do whatever it takes. But I will not agree to stay with him as his wife.
Hester entered her chambers, and Lydia forced a smile. Her lady’s maid was aware of what had happened with Michael. But she still didn’t want sympathy from her maid and friend. She wanted friendship and support so that she could put her focus back on the school, where it had always belonged.
“Good morning, Hester,” she said, clearing her throat when her voice came out weak and tired.
Her lady’s maid gave her a sympathetic look as she put her hands on her shoulders.
“Good morning, milady duchess,” she said. “Are you all right?”
Lydia nodded, holding her chin high.
“I will be perfectly fine,” she said, trying her best to mean it. “I should like to dress for a day at the school.”
Hester nodded, but she didn’t turn away immediately.
“Would you like me to fetch you something to eat first?” she asked. “Or, perhaps, some coffee?”
Lydia shook her head.
“I am not hungry just yet,” she said. Then, under Hester’s heavy gaze, she gave the maid a reassuring smile. “I will eat later. I just want to do this first, that’s all.”
Hester studied her until she was satisfied that her mistress was being sincere. Then, she nodded firmly.
