Something Scandalous

Elizabeth seemed like a softhearted woman who wanted to be around people who loved her. He wondered if he proposed properly what her answer would be this time. Perhaps that was just the thing to do.

The more time he spent with her, the more she was coming to mean to him. He loved her. And the idea seemed slightly mad to him. Only a few months ago, he would have been happy to marry Abigail. Now he was certain she would never have made him as content as Elizabeth.

Now, after only knowing her for a few weeks, he had never felt so sure of anything in his life. He loved her. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

She was a complex woman and he would never get bored with her. There would always be something new to learn about her. And he wanted to be the one to uncover her secrets.

Knowing he would never get back to sleep, he decided on a morning ride to clear his head. When he returned he would sit down and speak with Elizabeth honestly. He would stay in England if that was what it took to get her to marry him.

Marriage.

He had always thought it would be with Abigail. But now, he had no desire for her. The only woman he wanted was Elizabeth. Together, they would make a formidable couple. He would advocate for the rights of the poor within the House of Lords, and she could assist him. She would teach him about the estates and help him understand the importance of being a duke.

This was right.

With his day planned in his head, he rose from his bed ready to face the day. By this evening, he would be betrothed to a wonderful woman whom he would spend the rest of his life loving.

By the time Elizabeth rolled out of bed, it was nearly one in the afternoon. The stiffness between her legs reminded her of why she was so tired. She knew he had left before the servants woke, but she had missed his warmth. She missed the sensation of sleeping with her head on his chest. Moving her head to the other pillow, she inhaled the masculine scent of his soap that remained.

She called her maid for a bath and then sat back down on the bed waiting as the tub filled. Her head tilted to the large bedpost. The footmen trudged into her room weighed down with large buckets of steaming water. She wondered again if she had the courage to do what Will might request. To move away required learning to carry buckets of water, learning how to cook a meal. Learning so much.

Exactly the same issue he had with coming to England. He’d had no idea how to be a duke. But she had expected him to learn everything and fit in just because he’d been born in this country. She had wronged him.

Growing up in America and Canada had taught him valuable lessons. He and his sisters had learned how to be independent, how to do things for themselves. And she had belittled the importance of that education.

She had a lot to apologize for today.

“The water is ready, my lady,” Susan said, waiting for Elizabeth to stand up so she could undress her.

“Thank you, Susan. I would prefer to be alone.”

Susan tilted her head and said, “You don’t wish for me to assist you?”

“Not today.”

“How will you dress?”

How would she? She didn’t even own front lacing stays. Most of her gowns had tiny buttons down the back that she would never be able to reach. With a sigh, she replied, “Come back in thirty minutes and I shall be ready to dress.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Once Susan had departed, Elizabeth removed her gown and slipped into the water. The steaming liquid eased her sore muscles and the tension melted away. If he loved her, they could make this work.

If he loved her!

What

if he didn’t?

He had to, she thought. She loved every thing about him. The way his smile brightened his face and caused his eyes to crinkle. Or the fact that he wanted to do the best thing possible for his siblings, including his stepbrothers. She loved that he cared so deeply for the plight of the poor.

What would Sophie tell her to do? Perhaps she should find out. A quick call on her friend would help her make the right decision. Being a medium, perhaps Sophie would already know if he loved her.

After a quick bath, she dressed and left for Sophie’s house. The short carriage ride was over too quickly. Now she had to figure out what to say to her.

The door opened and her butler smiled down at her. “Good afternoon, Lady Elizabeth.”

“Good afternoon, Hendricks. Is she at home?”