“I hope she is,” Talbot said.
“I was so worried, especially after everything that happened with Nicholas.”
Talbot frowned. “What happened with her brother?”
“She didn’t tell me anything, she never does,” her mother explained sadly, “but she has confided in Mary that she and her brother argued the night of your engagement.”
“Hawkins doesn’t particularly like me. I’m working on it,” Talbot said with a scowl.
“Oh, no, you misunderstand,” Catherine’s eyes widened. “Nicholas apparently insultedElizabeth. He said some harsh words about her… breeding,” she said as she looked away in shame.
Talbot found himself angrily clenching his jaw. He couldn’t believe Hawkins’s stupidity and heartlessness. It had been plain for everyone to see how much Lizzie idolised her big brother. Now everything made sense.How could he do this to her?!
“She was devastated. Unfortunately, her solution in these matters is to hold on to her anger and resentment. My daughter never forgives,” Miss Williams sighed sadly.
The way she said it was a clear indication that she spoke from experience. Since he had just witnessed a rather warm hug between them, Talbot deduced that Elizabeth most likely never forgave her father for what had happened in St. James Park that day. His blood ran cold, and he was overcome with a sense of foreboding.
"What does she do instead of forgiving?" He asked apprehensively.
"She just..." Catherine said, looked up as if searching for the right words, and then shrugged. "Closes her heart."
“I will talk to Hawkins as soon as I get the chance,” he said, and Miss Williams nodded gratefully.
“Thank you.”
Talbot considered her again. She didn’t seem like one of those worldly mistresses who entered intoarrangements, nor was she an actress who had become a kept woman. She truly looked every bit a country gentleman’s young, naive daughter who had been seduced and, when she found herself with child, was (most likely reluctantly) kept as a mistress for the rest of the late Duke’s life.
Before he could say anything else, Lizzie came back in. She sat down at the small escritoire in the corner of the room, scribbled a note in a hurry, threw sand on it, and handed it to her mother.
“Please have Robert deliver this, and send my new calling cards to Louisa, Elinor, and Isabella to let them know I’ve returned.”
“I will,” Miss Williams nodded. “Are you certain you do not wish to partake in some refreshments?”
“We have to go, Ma, I will see you soon, all right?”
*
It had never crossed Elizabeth’s mind to inquire where her new husband lived during the three months since their wedding, so she decided to do so now, on the carriage ride there.
“Where is your residence?”
Colin’s smile told her that he most likely realised the same thing just now.
“St. James’s Square,” he said with a pointed look, probably expecting her to be impressed.
When she didn’t say anything, he added, “Although I’ve considered moving for a while now. The area isn’t what it used to be.”
Lizzie nodded thoughtfully. When the carriage stopped very soon after that, Elizabeth looked up at the large three-storey townhouse.
So many windows,she thought.And so large.
She imagined all the light in the mornings and already liked the idea of waking up here.
“Welcome home, Your Graces,” a footman in formal livery bowed to both of them, and Colin introduced him asRoberts.
The housekeeper was a kind-looking older woman named Mrs. White, and the butler was a Mr. White. Lizzie narrowed her eyes at Colin, remembering his comments about her maid being married, but said nothing, oddly happy that the married couple had the opportunity to work together.
“It’s wonderful to meet all of you,” she smiled at the assembled staff, “and to see you again,” she added to Mrs. Clark.
