Verity took a deep breath, her chest tightening with each inhale. She needed to compose herself, to find strength in themidst of her despair. Rising from the bench, she made her way back to the house, her steps slow and deliberate. She moved with purpose, her mind set on retreating to her bed chamber, the only place where she could truly be alone to gather herself up once more.
She had a strength inside of her, she just needed to find it once more.
As she climbed the stairs, she could hear the faint murmur of voices from the drawing room. But she wasn’t about to get dragged in to another conversation with her mother and Henry. Not now with her emotions all over the place.
So she continued to escape them, trying her hardest not to let the tears fully fall until she was alone.
As she reached her bed chamber, Verity closed the door behind her, leaning against it for a moment, allowing herself to breathe.
She crossed the room and sank on to the edge of her bed, finally letting the tears fall freely. Her cheeks were soaked within moments, she really was a mess. Each drop was a release of the pent up frustration, sadness, and helplessness she had been holding inside. Feelings that did not feel like they had anywhere to go at all.
Verity had never felt so alone in her whole life.
CHAPTER 8
Philip knew that his estate business needed his attention. He could see the paper work piling up in front of him on his office desk, but it was very challenging for him to concentrate on any of it. Lady Verity was still on his mind. How was it possible that Lady Verity was still on his mind?
Her eyes were such a piercing blue that he truly could not forget them. It felt like they pierced right in to his soul when they talked. Like she could see parts of him he did not normally show another person. Her presence had left an indelible mark on him. He found himself replaying their conversation in his mind, the way her voice had quivered with vulnerability, the determination in her eyes when she spoke.
It was rare for anyone to affect him so deeply, especially after just a single meeting.
But Lady Verity was unlike anyone he had ever met.
Philip leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling. He had responsibilities, duties that he could not neglect. The estate required his leadership, his attention to detail. Yet, all he could think about was how he might see her again…
Knock, knock.
The sound startled him. Philip sat up a little straighter as Mr. Jameson entered the room. “Lord Thomas Grayson is here.”
“Ah, perfect. I will join him in the parlor. Can you ensure that we have drinks?”
Mr. Jameson nodded. “Of course.”
Philip found himself stepping a little lighter as he went to see his friend. This was the much-needed distraction he needed from his work. His thoughts also. Although he could not imagine that Lady Verity would be far from his thoughts.
“Thomas, good to see you again,” he greeted warmly. “I hope you are well.”
“I am rather well, thank you very much,” Thomas agreed. “And how are you?”
“I am… well, business as usual.”
Thomas cocked his head to one side as one of the maids poured them drinks. Philip felt like he was being studied by his friend in a way that was bound to make him open up.
“So, what is going on with you?” Thomas asked once they were alone once more. “You have something on your mind, I can sense it.”
Philip’s initial instinct was to disagree with this so he did not need to dive deep in to his troubles, but he also knew that he needed to get this off his chest. If there was anyone who would be able to understand him, it was Thomas.
“Recently, I met a woman who has had a very unexpected impact on me.”
“Oh!” Thomas’s brows rose high. “I see. A woman, you say?”
“Lady Verity Sinclair. She is… quite unlike anyone else that I have ever met.”
Thomas smiled. “Tell me more.”
“We only spoke briefly,” Philip confessed. “But she immediately struck me as intelligent and very warm. I thoroughly enjoyed talking with her.”
“You did?”
