Page 96 of Three Weeks with a Princess
He directed a brief scowl at his sister, then sat in the empty chair beside Lia and took her hand. “I hope my annoying little sister hasn’t been too much of a bother, sweetheart.”
Lia’s eyes went wide. He’d clearly startled her, but he didn’t see the point in pretending there was nothing between them.
“Um, no,” she said, “everything’s fine.” When she tugged her hand, Jack reluctantly let go.
Anne gave him a reassuring smile. “We’ve just been chatting, that’s all.”
“About the weather? Or Lady Peckworth’s decorating skills?” he asked sarcastically.
His sister had the grace to blush. “All right, we’ve been talking about the family, but I swear I haven’t said anything to scare her off.”
“I should hope not or you’ll have to answer to me,” Jack said.
“How utterly terrifying,” Anne said with a cheeky little grin. “I’m shaking in my boots, I am.”
“You are an unrepentant brat. Now, would you please go away so I can talk to Lia? Besides, Lady Peckworth wants to see you—she’s practically quivering with anticipation at the thought of taking you through the house.”
“Ah, very well.” Anne stood and brushed a few stray leaves from the skirts of her gown. She smiled at Lia. “Thank you for speaking with me. I hope we have a chance to talk again soon.”
Lia came to her feet as well. “Thank you, my lady. Again, I appreciate your honesty.”
Alarm bells started clanging in his head.
When Anne gave Lia a quick hug, it surprised the hell out of Jack—and, from her expression, Lia, too. His sister briefly pressed his arm and then headed across the lawn to meet Lady Peckworth.
“Don’t forget to ask her ladyship to show you the kitchens,” Lia called after her. “Especially the new range.”
Anne waved a hand and was soon out of earshot.
“She upset you, didn’t she?” Jack said. After her illness, Lia had yet to recover her healthy country glow, and today she was looking even paler than usual. “I swear I’ll throw her into the Thames myself, even if she is my only sibling.”
A gleam of humor sparked in her eyes. “Your sister is a very nice woman. In fact, she told me she regretted we were never able to be friends. She also said she’d been jealous of me, if you can believe it.”
“Actually, I can. Our mother relied on Anne for support from an early age, and it placed too great a burden on her.”
“So she said. I’m so sorry, Jack.” She grimaced. “I’m sorry for everything.”
He wrapped his hand around her much smaller one. Still, there was strength and sturdiness in her grip, the sign of a girl not afraid to work. “There’s nothing to be sorry for, love. You’ve never hurt anyone in your life.”
“Yes, but my family hurt your family very much. I feel awful about that.”
“Most of the blame rests with the men inmyfamily, not the women in yours,” he said dryly. “Given the workings of the world, your mother and grandmother had far fewer choices in life. They did what they had to do to survive and protect their children.”
When Lia withdrew her hand and took a step back, it felt as if she’d put a hundred yards between them.
“There were some choices they could have chosennotto make,” she said in a voice that held a low vibration of sorrow.
“Why don’t we sit down and you can tell me all about it,” he said gently.
She looked around, almost as if seeing her surroundings for the first time. “I think I’d rather walk. Do you mind? The gardens are quite extensive, and I’ve hardly seen any of them.”
Even better. Jack had already discovered a few very private spots, and if conclusions were drawn about their absence, that would fit nicely into his plans.
“I’m already familiar with Lord Peckworth’s gardens,” he said. “I can show you the finest spots. Let’s start with a stroll along the river.”
He offered an arm and she took it without hesitation, tucking herself neatly against his side. They set off along a graveled path, Lia easily matching his pace. The fact that she never dawdled was just another thing he loved about her.
Once they were out of sight, she untied the ribbons of her bonnet and pulled it from her head. A few pins came loose and glossy streamers of hair fluttered around her neck and shoulders. She briefly raised her face to the sun and let out a sigh. As attuned as Jack was to her, he knew it was not one of contentment or relief. While her profile presented an enchanting picture, the set of her mouth was tight and unhappy.
