Page 61 of Three Weeks with a Princess
“Not me,” Leverton said. “I never tell anyone what to do.”
“That’s a joke,” Gillian said with a hoot. “You’re an absolute dictator.”
Lia couldn’t help but smile at their affectionate banter, even though another ache wove itself into the one that seemed permanently attached to the center of her chest. She’d only just found her new family and they were all so wonderful. But too soon she’d have to bid them good-bye. Where she planned to go, they couldn’t possibly follow.
“Very well, cousin,” Leverton said, smiling down at Lia. “Please tell us how you wish us to deal with this regrettable situation.”
“There’s only one thing to do,” she said, bracing for their reaction. “I must leave.”
Chloe frowned. “London? Surely you don’t want to return to Stonefell, especially now.”
“No, that’s not possible,” Lia said. After she put her plan into effect, she could never go home either.
It’s not your home, remember?
“Do you wish to return to your mother’s house?” Dominic asked.
“Perhaps for a bit,” she hedged.
They stared at her, clearly puzzled. A moment later Dominic got it. “No,” he rapped out. “Absolutely not.”
“What other choice do I have?” Lia said. “You must see how impossible it is for me to recover from Lady John’s insults, not that there was much chance of the beau monde accepting me to begin with. After tonight, that chance is all but nonexistent.”
“Would you two care to explain what you’re talking about or must we guess?” Leverton asked.
Before Lia could answer, there was a tap on the door and Jack brushed past the butler. He paused for a moment, taking everyone in. He looked utterly weary, with worry lines scored deep around his mouth. Jack had always been so lighthearted, with a ready wit and a kind, generous nature. Now he looked as if he’d aged ten years in only a few months.
She steeled herself, knowing she couldn’t let him go on like this, continually torn between conflicting loyalties. The Kincaids were part of his past and that was where they belonged. It was time for all vestiges of her family to be wiped from his life, once and for all.
Jack headed toward the chaise until Leverton intercepted him. They stared at each other for a long, tense moment, their faces set and stony. Then Jack grimaced and shook his head, letting out a sigh. Apparently, the duke was satisfied with that tersely masculine communication because he nodded and stepped aside. Everyone in the room seemed to breathe out relief and the tight feeling in Lia’s chest eased a bit. Leverton was Jack’s best friend and she’d been terrified that tonight’s events might have destroyed their relationship.
Jack stopped in front of Gillian and gave her a formal bow. “Your Grace, I cannot begin to apologize for my mother’s outrageous behavior. On behalf of my family, please know how deeply regretful I am, and also know that I will do everything in my power to ameliorate any ill effects of her actions.”
Gillian jumped to her feet with a funny little growl. She punched Jack in the shoulder, then threw her arms around him and gave him a fierce hug. After a moment’s hesitation, one of his hands stole up to awkwardly rest on her back.
“Don’t be such an idiot,” she said, her voice muffled against his coat. “No one in their right mind could have predicted that ridiculous scene.” She pulled back and cut him a grin. “And here I thought I was the only one who went around pummeling aristocrats in ballrooms. Now I might have to cede my title to your mother.”
He gave her a faltering smile. “It’s kind of you to make light of it, but I know how upsetting this was for all of you. And especially for Lia.”
When his gaze touched her, he couldn’t seem to hold it, and Lia’s heart sank even more. Not that it mattered, because she was going to free him from the anchor around his neck.
“And itismy fault,” he added. “I knew how upset my mother was. I should never have come to the ball in the first place.”
Everyone started talking at once, protesting his statement. But when Lia stood, they all fell silent.
“No, Jack,” she said. “The very last person at fault is you. In fact, you were the one most opposed to this scheme. We should have listened to you.”
He finally held her gaze and she saw how ashamed he was. Shehatedthat. Jack was the finest man she knew and he didn’t deserve this.
“Lia, I am so sorry you had to be exposed to her . . . her madness on this.” He rolled his lips together, as if in pain. “My mother is not herself. She’s not thinking rationally just now.”
“Lady John has been forced to endure too many indignities in her life,” Lia said. “I’m sure your uncle never meant to humiliate her, but he did, as did your father. Tonight must have seemed like the final straw.”
He huffed out a bitter laugh. “That’s essentially what she said, believe it or not.”
“I believe it because it’s the truth.”
“None of which makes it your fault,” he said. “You are entirely blameless in this, Lia.”
