“And what did they say?” Ellie was both eager for and dreading the answer.
“My sister thought it a brilliant idea. She remembers you well from our years in Shropshire and her visits back there since.”
The duchess’s welcome was not unexpected. “And your brother-in-law?”
“He said, and I quote, ‘If having a friend will keep you out of mischief, invite every friend you have.’”
That sounded just grumpy enough to be the Dangerous Duke’s verbatim instructions. “He is a little frightening,” Ellie admitted.
“Not when you know him better. He can actually be remarkably kind. You’ll see.”
She doubted it but found herself less worried. “And they would let me stay for the entire winter?”
Artemis nodded, excitement growing in her expression. “And then you can come to London with us for the Season.”
“Truly?” She could hardly believe the extent of this offer.
“And I’ve spoken with Rose, and she is ecstatic at the prospect of spending the next months creating an entire new wardrobe for you to wear in Town. We mean to obtain some fabric and trimming while we’re here, as well as materials for a few bonnets. We will be kept quite wonderfully busy.”
Her heart fluttered despite her attempts to quiet it. “I cannot possibly impose so much.”
“No imposition. I would be indebted to you.” Beyond sincere, Artemis sounded almost desperate. Artemis Lancaster, who never seemed anything other than fully and completely self-assured, was nearly pleading for a companion, for a friend. “Please, say you’ll come.”
“It would be far preferable to Shropshire.”
Artemis’s eyes lit with hope. “And going to London in the spring won’t be miserable either.”
“I have always wanted to go to Town.”
With mischief in her tone and far too much innocence in her expression, Artemis said, “And Mr. Newton Hughes will be there, quite the fine and fancy student of the law. That must be some motivation.”
Hope and hesitation warred in her heart. “I will enjoy seeing him again.”
Artemis repeated Ellie’s words in an overly prim and proper voice. “‘I will enjoy seeing him again.’” She folded her arms across her chest. “Do not attempt to hoodwink me, Ellie. I know you’ve lost your heart to him.”
“His, however, seems quite whole and entirely in his possession.”
Artemis eyed her more closely. “Why do you say that?”
“He visited and told me of the progress he’d made in convincing his parents to accept his pursuit of the law, and he spoke with great enthusiasm about securing a flat with other students and beginning his studies.” Disappointment washed over her. “He dedicated not a syllable to his hopes forourfuture. I had so hoped he would at least express regret that we’d not had the chance for a true courtship.”
“No matter how it began,” Artemis said, “your courtship was as genuine as any I’ve seen. You spent time together, formulated plans together, came to know each other. He might not have spoken of courtship because he feels you’ve already had one.”
Ellie shook her head. “If that were the case, he would have left me with some hope, some semblance of a promise.”
“Perhaps he is as unsure of your feelings as you seem to be of his. A bit of bravery would do the both of you a world of good.”
Though there was wisdom in her advice, there was also tremendous risk. “Bravery does not guarantee a good outcome.”
Artemis offered an empathetic smile. “Cowardice almost always guarantees a poor one.”
Ellie knew her friend was correct. Yet, the prospect was frightening. “If I find my bravery and that ends badly, do you have a corner at Falstone Castle where I can cry, curse the fates, and engage in whatever overly dramatic response I find necessary?”
“I regularly indulge in all of those things,” Artemis said. “I can show you all the best places to undertake them.”
Ellie took a deep breath and resolved herself on two matters: she would accept Artemis’s invitation, and before they left Bath, she would find the courage to discover if the feelings of Newton’s heart matched her own.
Chapter Nineteen
