The Viscount's Veiled Lady (Whitby Weddings 3)

‘Arthur? No! Absolutely not. Turn the trap around right now!’ Frances made a grab for the reins, but Lydia pulled them out of her reach.

‘Did I mention that I met him a few days ago? He called at the house when you were out at the jeweller’s.’

Frances felt as though her heart had suddenly stopped beating. ‘No, you didn’t mention it.’

‘Silly me. By the way, the hamper’s just on the back there. Have a sandwich if you’re hungry.’

&

nbsp; ‘Lydia!’

‘What?’ Her sister’s face was the picture of innocence. ‘We have cheese and pickle and beef and...’

‘Tell me the truth, are the two of you in love?’

‘Arthur and me?’ It was Lydia’s turn to look surprised. ‘Don’t be ridiculous. What on earth makes you think that?’

‘Because you must have spoken about your past. Your past feelings for each other, I mean... And after your accident, he was so worried. And you said...you sounded...’ she cleared her throat awkwardly ‘... I thought maybe you’d realised how much you still meant to each other.’

‘In love...’ Lydia burst into a fit of giggles. ‘Nothing like. We did touch on the past briefly, but most of the time we talked about you. It was quite galling really.’

‘You mean—’ Frances felt her heart start to beat again ‘—you’re not engaged?’

‘Engaged?’ Lydia sobered long enough to lift her eyebrows accusingly. ‘Do you think I’d be taking you to Amberton Castle today if that was the case? What do you take me for?’

‘I...’ Frances stared at her sister, her thoughts spinning. ‘I’m sorry.’

Lydia made a harrumphing sound. ‘Well, that’s all right. I suppose my previous behaviour speaks against me, but that’s all over and done with now. I’m a new woman, a better daughter, sister and mother.’ She reached behind her to tousle the curly mass of Georgie’s hair. ‘This is the only man I’m interested in from now on.’

Despite her confusion, Frances couldn’t help but smile. The way the little boy was gazing adoringly up at his mother suggested her own days as his favoured companion were numbered. Lydia looked different from her usual polished and preened self, too, with a smile that touched every part of her face and made her eyes crinkle at the corners. She looked less perfect and even more beautiful.

‘But why has Arthur invited us to Amberton Castle?’ She dragged her thoughts back to the situation in hand.

‘Not us. You. Aggravating as it is, I’m simply your method of transportation. That’s why he came to visit me actually, to ask for my help in getting you here.’

‘Then why aren’t we going to his farm?’

‘You’ll have to ask him.’

‘But I ended our engagement!’

‘Yes, I would imagine that has something to do with it all.’ Lydia twisted her head towards her suddenly. ‘Wait, is that why you broke it off? Because you thought he was in love with me?’

Frances hunched her shoulders. ‘Maybe...’

‘Oh, Frannie...’

‘Well, what was I supposed to think? He started acting strangely the moment he heard about your accident.’

‘Not because he was in love with me! Well, that’s one mystery solved. Mama and I have been racking our brains trying to work out what happened.’

‘It’s not the only reason and I still don’t want to see him.’

‘But...’

‘But nothing. It’s over. The way he behaved...it was just like Leo all over again. You don’t know how it feels to be rejected like that.’

‘Excuse me—’ Lydia sounded aggrieved ‘—but do I need to remind you of that scene in his farmhouse?’