Page 52 of Starlight and the Duke
“Do you want to hear something hilariously ironic?” Fiona said, letting out another shaky breath.
Rob’s heart sank. “What is so amusing?” However, he knew by the quiver of her lips that it was not at all funny.
“Margaret suspects she may also be with child. But it is very early days yet and she cannot be sure. She hasn’t even told Reggie because she is afraid he would be crushed if it turned out to be a false alarm.”
Blessed saints.
Bothof her dear friends with child?
He knew Fiona was happy for them and only wished them well. But the news had to be as painful as a knife plunged through her heart.
Rob did not know what to say.
Fiona cast him a wistful smile. “I’ll be all right. Do not worry about me.”
He wanted to sweep her into his arms and hold her so very tightly, absorb her into himself. Of course, that was physically impossible, but could he not at least absorb some of her pain?
Yet here he was. Unable to comfort her or do anything for her at this vulnerable moment.
Worse, she wanted him out of her life. His every thought and instinct was to remain close and protect her. How could he ever walk away when he knew how much she was suffering? And would he not be causing her more suffering by pretending to consider someone other than her as his wife?
Frustration roared through him.
He noticed Aubrey watching them.
So did Fiona. She drew away. “Go and mingle with the young ladies in attendance. They are a clever lot and quite pretty in their own quiet way.”
She scurried off, giving him a look that warned he had better not follow her.
Aubrey approached him as he sat staring with misery into his glass of lemonade. “Seems I am not the only lovesick fool, Durham. You might be even more of a fool than I. Frankly, I did not think it was possible.”
Rob grunted in acknowledgment and set his drink aside. “Bad situation.”
“They are right, you know,” Aubrey said, settling in the chair Fiona had just vacated. “We need to move on. It isn’t easy. Quite hard, in fact. But I am determined.”
Rob shrugged. “Do you have a choice?”
“No, clearly I do not.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“I thought to approach Florence Newton. I find her surprisingly intriguing. Quite pretty if you get past her spectacles and hideously unstylish gown. But she cast me such a withering look the moment I took a step toward her that I went off to the stable again and simply had a chat with my horse.”
Rob laughed. “You could have chatted up some of the other young ladies.”
“Yes, I know. But I thought to start with Florence, since I enjoy a good puzzle. She is an odd duck, just as you said. I have yet to figure her out.”
“I’m sure she pushes us away on purpose.”
“I cannot blame her. We are not exactly prize catches at the moment,” Aubrey said. “There are three other young ladies here who seem promising. Have you spoken to any of them yet?”
“No,” Rob admitted. “But I will this evening.”
“Who will you approach first? There’s no point in both of us going after the same young lady.”
Rob shrugged. “I’m not going after anyone just yet.”Or ever.“How about you? Have any of them caught your eye, Aubrey?”
“Florence did, but she is now at the bottom of my list.”
