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Rosalind bit down on her bottom lip and nodded, likely thinking of how the scandal sheets featured him recently.

“Of course, my lord,” Lady Rosalind replied sympathetically, though her eyes held a glint of curiosity. “The pressures of your position must be quite overwhelming at times.”

As the ladies retired to the drawing room after dinner, Philip found himself cornered by Lord Cedric, who wasted no time in steering the conversation towards the benefits of a union between Philip and Lady Rosalind.

“…her beauty is unmatched, and our family’s reputation in society is impeccable, as is yours. Aligning our estates would undoubtedly bring great advantages to both our families.”

Philip nodded cautiously, not wanting to give the wrong impression. “I understand your point, Lord Cedric. The alignment of our families is certainly a weighty consideration.”

“She has been taught well, which I am sure is important to you.”

Philip bit down on his bottom lip.Good manners were not as important to him as a loving connection, but how could he say that now?

Philip nodded again, his internal conflict palpable, but outwardly composed. “I appreciate your confidence in me, Lord Cedric. Your insights are valuable, and I will certainly take them into consideration.”

“Excellent, excellent,” Cedric smiled, his demeanor confident. “I knew you would see the wisdom in this, Philip. Rosalind is a gem among women, and I have no doubt you will come to appreciate her qualities even more as time goes on.”

How had Verity ever been betrothed to this man? He wasn’t the sort of man that Philip could imagine making her happy.

When their guests finally announced their intention to take their leave, Philip felt a wave of relief wash over him.

It was over at long last.

For the time being anyway.

He bid farewell to the family with a polite smile, masking the turmoil within.

As the carriage carrying the Fitzwilliams rolled away in to the night, Philip turned away, his mind already set on what he needed to do next…

CHAPTER 13

Verity smiled as she stepped back to take a look at her canvas. The orchids were finally starting to take shape in front of her, just as she remembered that day in Kew Gardens, which was exactly what she needed. This was her way of capturing her emotions, and maybe even taking control of them somehow. By expressing them through her work, she felt a little better about them.

If it were not for a shadow creeping in the corner of the room, then she might not have stopped staring at the flowers for some time.

“Mother? Is everything alright?”

Her mother smiled at her. “Of course, I just wanted to remind you that we need to ready ourselves for the picnic this afternoon.”

“Oh, of course!” Verity had almost forgotten that they had been invited to Hyde Park by Faye and James. “Yes, I will get ready right away.”

“I am afraid it will just be the pair of us,” her mother told her with a soft smile playing on her lips. “Henry is overseeing business matters, so cannot come with us.”

Relief flowed through Verity’s veins. Much as she loved her brother, she truly looked forward to a day without his overbearing attitude crushing her spirit. Every time he was around her, all he wanted to talk to him about was Ambrose which was Verity’s least favorite topic of conversation.

“Oh alright. Well then, we will have to travel alone.” Verity could not keep the smile off her face as she readied herself quickly and headed out for the carriage. Since the weatherwas absolutely beautiful, and the company was going to be wonderful, she was sure that this picnic would be perfect.

Once inside the carriage, and as it was rumbling down the cobbled streets to Hyde Park, Verity suddenly felt a strange shift in the atmosphere. She turned to face her mother, who clearly had something to say.

“Verity,” she started, with a thickness to her tone. “I would like to express my deep regret for the situation that you are currently in with Henry. I know that he is putting a lot of pressure on you, and I feel truly terrible about it. I have been trying my hardest to make him see reason, but he will not listen to me.”

A thick lump of emotion balled in Verity’s throat. She had been hoping to escape all of this today, but if her mother insisted on talking about it, then she had no choice in the matter.

“I do sincerely wish that your father was still around,” her mother continued. “If he were still here then everything would be different. We would not find ourselves in this situation now.”

Sadness flooded through her veins as she reached out to grab her mother’s hand. As the grief clung to her with the memory of her father, she wasn’t sure what to do.

“I understand,” she eventually responded thickly. “I miss Father greatly too. Life has not been the same without him. But you are doing a wonderful job, Mother.”