The Viscount's Veiled Lady (Whitby Weddings 3)

The only positive in the whole situation was the amount of time her parents spent together. Her father took to sitting in Lydia’s bedchamber, too, side by side with her mother, holding her hand in a way she hadn’t seen him do in years. She didn’t know which of her parents had reached for the other first, but it warmed her heart to see it, as if something good might eventually come of something so bad.

* * *

It was the fourth day after the accident when Lydia finally woke up, just as their mother was raising a glass of water to her lips.

‘Mama?’ The sound of her voice propelled both Frances and her father to their feet.

‘Oh!’ Their mother almost dropped the glass of water in surprise, though thankfully their father managed to catch it.

‘Lydia.’ His voice was tight with emotion. ‘How do you feel?’

‘My head hurts.’ She looked dazed as she shifted slightly and then cried out.

‘Don’t try to move.’ Their mother laid a hand tenderly on her shoulder. ‘You’ve given us quite a scare.’

‘I’m sorry.’ Lydia’s eyes moved around the room before settling on her. ‘Frances...’

‘I’m here.’ Frances leaned over the bed, blinking rapidly to stop herself from sobbing with relief. ‘I’m so glad you’re awake.’

‘What happened?’ Lydia’s brows knitted together. ‘I don’t remember.’

‘Leo said you wanted to race.’ Their mother’s tone was faintly admonishing.

‘Oh...so I did. That was foolish of me.’

‘Very, but we won’t talk about that now. You need to concentrate on getting better.’

‘I will.’ Lydia’s eyes focused on her again, their expression thoughtful. ‘Only I want to speak with Frances first.’

‘I don’t think...’

‘It’s all right, Mama, it’s nothing bad. Only it’s important.’

‘Oh, very well, but just for a few minutes, mind.’

Frances looked at her sister with trepidation as their parents moved towards the door and closed it softly behind them.

‘I’m sorry.’ Lydia’s voice was faint, but clear. So clear that Frances jerked backwards in surprise.

‘What?’

‘I’m sorry. I should never have gone out riding with Leo. I was trying to get back at you for taking Arthur. I wanted to make you feel bad. This serves me right.’

‘No, don’t say that.’

‘But it’s true...’ Lydia managed a tremulous smile ‘...and you know the worst part is that I never even liked Leo. He cares more about his appearance than I do, which is saying something.’

Frances pressed her lips together to stop herself from laughing. ‘He’s been worried about you. He called to see how you were.’

‘Well, I didn’t say he was a complete monster.’ Lydia gave a weak laugh and then sighed. ‘Just when I thought I could start living again, I had to do something stupid like this. Do I look so very bad?’

Frances shook her head. ‘You don’t look bad.’

‘But...my face?’

‘It’s bruised, but that’s all. You won’t have any scars, the doctor has already said so.’ She reached a hand to her sister’s cheek. ‘You’ll be just as beautiful as ever soon enough.’

‘Oh.’ Lydia’s dark eyes welled with tears. ‘I wish I wasn’t like this. I wish I didn’t care so much about how I look and what people think.’