“Surely you jest!”
Vincent chuckled, clearly taken aback by her surprise. Lavender couldn’t even smile back. She watched as her brother nodded. “I was quite shocked as well. And then I began to wonder if perhaps it would have been better if you married someone who actually loved you, even if you do not feel the same way about them.”
“Who is it?” she asked. “Who told you that they loved me?”
“I would rather not say. Only because he swore me to secrecy.”
“But I am your sister!”
“And because I know you, I want you to truly think about whether you want to be betrothed to the earl before I tell you who it is, lest it cloud your judgment.”
“My judgment won’t be clouded, I assure you. Tell me who it is.”
Vincent laughed again. “I should have known better than to think you would let this go easily. Promise me you will think about what I am saying, Lav?”
Lavender let out a frustrated breath. If Vincent was determined to do something, there was no changing his mind. She supposed that was another thing they had in common. “Very well. I shall think about it.”
“Good.”
“But I must say,” she went on. “That it isn’t as if I have not already given my situation some thought. And, after spending some time with Lord Derby, I’ve come to realise that he is not as bad as I first thought. Perhaps what we have is not love but I believe we have something akin to friendship. With time, he just may show me the sort of man he is deep inside.”
“Hm.” Vincent took that all in with a simple nod. “Let us hope whatever decision you decide to make is for the best. Again, you are in control here.”
“Thank you, Vincent.” Lavender stood and made her way over to him, bending to plant a kiss on his cheek. Just as she straightened, Henry appeared to announce the arrival of the Earl of Derby. She thanked God Vincent was not looking when a bright smile stretched across her face in response.
She managed to tuck that smile away as they both went out to greet Austin. The moment she laid eyes on him, her steps faltered. He’d shaven and styled his hair again. How could this man get any more handsome? Not to mention the fact that the bruises were nearly all gone.
“My lord,” Vincent greeted, sticking out a hand to Austin. “It is good to see you again.”
“Likewise,” Austin muttered, accepting the hand. Lavender’s heart skipped a beat when he looked at her. “Lavender.”
“Austin,” she said, her voice softer than she’d like. It was hard breathing when he looked at her so directly. Did he notice the dress? She hoped he did.
“Shall we?” Vincent asked, cutting in the moment. He gestured for Austin to take the lead. Austin did just that, giving Lavender the chance to get her breathing under control.
She trailed behind the two men as they made their way to the carriage. Vincent attempted to engage Austin in conversation about the weather—a shoddy attempt, she thought—and then gave up after Austin’s third unintelligible grunt. Lavender hid heramusement as she climbed into the carriage behind them and they set off for the tailor.
Austin wasn’t happy about this. He didn’t have to say as much because his face told it all. His usual displeased demeanor seemed more sour than usual and it was a wonder he wasn’t complaining the entire way there. Instead, silence filled the carriage as they made their way to Bond Street. Despite the discomfort in the air, Lavender was at peace. A part of her hadn’t expected to make it this far.
“I told the tailor that we would be coming,” she informed Austin when they arrived. “So we should have the shop to ourselves.”
“Wonderful,” he drawled sarcastically. “I was worried about that.”
Lavender rolled her eyes. “I knew you would be.”
He did the same then shook his head as he made for the door. Vincent lingered behind, staring after him.
“Don’t worry, Vincent,” Lavender told him, patting him on the shoulder. “Austin simply doesn’t like mornings.”
“I have a feeling he isn’t happy at any time of the day,” Vincent said under his breath. “Are you certain about this, Lav?”
She didn’t respond, not entirely sure how to. Her excitement earlier was beginning to falter in the face of Austin’s obvious reluctance to be here. They’d had such a nice time for the past couple of days that she’d forgotten just how cantankerous he was. What if this was a mistake?
She didn’t say any of that, gesturing to her brother to go inside the tailor’s shop instead. Mr. Young, the tailor, was already fussing over Austin in his usual overzealous manner that many of his patrons adored. Austin seemed to hate every second of it.
“What a strapping man!” Mr. Young exclaimed. “I will have to use twice my fabric for this one!”
He barked a laugh at his own joke and Vincent and Lavender joined in. Austin sneered. “Let us get this over with,” he grumbled.
