Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“I am leaving for London in a week. In search of a husband,” she declared.
* * *
He stared at her, open-mouthed. What a thing to say now.
* * *
“Is that so?” he asked.
* * *
“Yes.” She still did not look at him. “My father has indulged me for a long time, but I am quickly reaching the point of spinsterhood, and I must do my duty.”
* * *
“Why must you do that?”
* * *
She turned at last, to look at him. “Because if I am not married, my sisters cannot either. I see my younger sister pining, and I know I’m standing in her way.”
* * *
“What of your brother? Is he not the one who is obligated to marry first?”
* * *
“My brother has shown no interest in marrying and he is within his rights to do so. But my sisters are waiting on me and it is unfair to make them wait any longer.”
* * *
“That’s very…thoughtful of you. Your sisters are lucky to have you.”
* * *
“I am lucky to have them.”
* * *
Arthur didn’t know how he felt about that. On the one hand, he was not surprised that she would put herself out for her family in such a manner and he did not want to stop her from doing the right thing. On the other hand, the thought of her betrothed to another stuck in his craw like a recalcitrant chicken bone. He cleared his throat. “Perhaps I should escort you home now.”
* * *
She nodded, turning the horse around. “Perhaps you should.”
* * *
They walked in silence for a while, Arthur wondering if he should apologize for the kiss or ignore that it happened. He would have liked to know how Janice felt about it all, but he was afraid to ask.
* * *
She probably expects me to make an offer.
* * *
It would be the honorable thing to do but with the trajectory his life was taking, he could not in good conscience, involve her in it. No, she would be better off with someone else. Anyone else.
* * *
He watched her as they walked, his heart breaking a little at what might have been. She didn’t say anything all the way, which was uncharacteristic and made him think she was disappointed in him.
* * *
He stopped walking a few meters from her gate. “Will you be alright to get home by yourself from here?”
* * *
She looked up at him and laughed. “I am quite capable of getting home by myself from anywhere.”
* * *
He bowed. “In that case, I shall bid you adieu.”
* * *
She lifted her hand. “Goodbye, Your Grace.”
* * *
He watched her walk away and wondered if he was making the biggest mistake of his life.
CHAPTER 8
Janice walked slowly home feeling like she had a lot to think about. As soon as she was out of sight of the duke, her hand drifted to her mouth, and she rubbed it wonderingly. Her lips still tingled and if she closed her eyes, she could still feel the warm press of his lips on hers.
* * *
She closed her eyes, moving her finger back and forth, and then round and round over her top lip and her bottom, before pushing her finger into her mouth and sucking on it.
* * *
What am I doing?
* * *
She jerked her finger away, opening her eyes and looking around frantically to see if anyone had seen her. Thankfully, the courtyard was empty of people. It was still early, and most people were still inside having their breakfast or just avoiding the cold.
* * *
She took the horse back to the stable, handing it over to the groom before walking slowly back to the house. She stopped by the kitchen to scoop up some hot water from the cauldron into a jug to carry with her to her chambers. With the shortage of servants, it was easier and faster for her to collect her own water than to wait for someone to bring it to her.
* * *
After washing up, and changing into a morning gown, she drifted downstairs for breakfast, surprised not to meet one of her sisters along the way. The mystery of the empty corridors was soon solved as she heard raised voices from the breakfast nook. Passions seemed to be running high, and she hastened her footsteps to see what the problem was. She stepped into the dining hall to find her father, her brother Frederick, and Rhys, loudly debating the merits of fish farming.
* * *
Words such as rainbow trout and mussels were being tossed about with casual ease. Janice found Emily's eyes, her own widening in question. Emily shrugged at her, beckoning for her to come and sit. She sidled around the table, waving vaguely at the arguing men before sitting down by Emily.