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“Thank you,” she said quietly, sitting up straight, pulling free of Duncan’s arms. She was a little embarrassed at the scene she had made, but at the same time, it felt very good to be open about her feelings.

Richard had never allowed her the freedom to do that.

But Lord Woodsford had.

That was one of the things she would miss most about him.

But if it was a need that could be fulfilled just as well by her aunt and her cousin—well, then perhaps there was no need for Lord Woodsford at all. She did have other people she could open up to. She didn’t need him.

Feeling much better than she had when she had first come into the sitting room, she accepted the cup of tea that Duncan was now pressing into her hands.

“Who’s going to let Thomas know?” Duncan asked.

“I’ll send a letter,” Aunt Alberta said.

“No, this shouldn’t be communicated through a letter,” Duncan said.

“Do I need to see him again?” Valeria asked. She didn’t want to be rude, but she was very much hoping that that wouldn’t be necessary. It would be too difficult.

“No,” Duncan said. “I don’t think there’s any need for that. I’ll tell him for you.”

“Oh, would you?” Valeria asked. That would solve everything.

Then she frowned. “I really don’t wish to be ill-mannered,” she said. “Is it all right to communicate the message to him in that way?”

“Yes, it’s quite all right to use your cousin as an intermediary,” Aunt Alberta assured her. “It’s to be expected that an older relative would take responsibility for your romantic affairs anyway.”

“What will you tell him?” Valeria asked.

“I suppose I’ll just tell him that we’ve decided as a family that we won’t be pursuing courtship,” Duncan said. “I’m sure he’ll have questions, but he’s a respectful person, and he won’t put me in a position to have to answer anything too uncomfortable.”

“You think he’ll take it well, then?” Aunt Alberta said.

“I do,” Duncan said. “He’ll be disappointed, because I know that he has admired Valeria for quite some time. But it was never his wish to be involved with her if it made her uncomfortable. Once he realizes that’s the case, he’ll be happy to take a step back, to end things. He really is very respectful.”

Valeria gave him a sideways glance, wondering whether he was trying to convince her to second-guess herself and to continue the courtship. But it didn’t seem as if he was.

Duncan rose and stood behind her, giving her shoulders a quick squeeze. “Don’t worry, Valeria,” he said. “I’ll take care of everything from here, all right?”

Valeria nodded. “I’m so sorry I’ve been so much trouble since I came to live with you both,” she said. “First the problems with Lord Milton, and now this—”

“Hush,” Aunt Alberta said. “You’ve been no trouble at all. You’ve been nothing but an utter delight. Duncan and I are both very thankful to have you here with us, and glad that we’ve been able to provide you with a new home during this troubled time in your life.”

“Yes,” Duncan said. “I always wished to have a sibling, but a beloved cousin is really just as good.”

“And I only encouraged you to accept an offer of courtship so that you might have the chance to secure your future prospects,” Aunt Alberta said. “It was for your own sake, and not mine, that I pushed you to do that. If you don’t feel ready, you ought to take as much time as you need. You won’t be happy if you enter into a marriage with the wrong gentleman.”

“You’ve both been so understanding about this,” Valeria said. She was no longer crying, but she still felt rather tearful. “I’m so lucky to have both of you as my family, and to know that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to ensure my happiness.”

She had never had family members she could rely on before. It had never been like this with Richard, who had acted as though he was making decisions out of care and concern for her, but who had really been concerned only with what was best for himself.

Aunt Alberta refilled her tea. Duncan squeezed her shoulders again.

“All right,” he said. “I’m going to see Thomas, and I’ll tell him what we’ve decided.”

“Thank you, Duncan,” Valeria said, dabbing the tears from her cheeks. “You’re the best cousin anybody could ask for.”

She knew that once Duncan had ended things with Thomas, there would be no putting them back together, and as he left the room, she felt a strange urge to stop him, to call him back.