Page 82 of Her Lion of a Duke
“No. She has been sleeping in of late, as I have so many suitors that she must take every minute she can.”
Cecilia smiled, pleased that her cousin was faring well. It also gave her something to talk about that was not her marriage, at least while her aunt joined them.
“Have you taken an interest in any of them?”
“Not yet. There is one man—an earl—but my mother thinks that I can find better.”
“Is she hoping for something illustrious?”
“Perhaps not as incredible as yours, but she has high hopes for me. I can only hope that I don’t disappoint her.”
“You won’t,” Cecilia assured, taking her hand and squeezing it. “But, more than anything, it is crucial that you find someone you can spend the rest of your life with. It does not matter whetherhe has money or hoards it, nor does his status matter if you are lonely at home. Marry for love, Clara.”
“We cannot all do what you did.” Clara laughed sadly. “Some of us must simply take the best option, and it seems I am no exception to that.”
“You will find the man you’re looking for. If you follow what your mother tells you, then the choice won’t be yours. Many young ladies are happy to do that. Are you?”
Clara nodded hesitantly, and Cecilia knew exactly why.
Clara was not one to disobey her mother. She hardly disobeyed anyone. If she was told to do something, it was done before the order was given.
Cecilia liked that about her, but she was not blind to the threat it posed. If her cousin did not speak for herself, she could end up miserable.
Then again, Cecilia had done exactly what she wanted, and she was still not happy. Perhaps she might have had someone else to blame for that, had she done what was expected of her.
“Ah, Cecilia!” Aunt Margaret greeted them brightly when she joined them. “We were not expecting you. It is no trouble, of course. If anything, you should be here while the gentlemen visit this morning.”
“I am more than happy to be here.” Cecilia smiled. “But before that, I must speak with both of you. I know that I have arrived without prior notice, and I need to explain myself. You see… I may stay with you for a while.”
She instantly saw the concern flash across her aunt’s face.
Aunt Margaret sat down, looking at her in a motherly way that Cecilia had never seen before.
“We do not have very long,” she said kindly, “but I know how quickly you can tell a story when needed.”
Cecilia sighed, knowing that she could not tell the truth.
“The Duke and I are separating,” she announced shortly. “We cannot reconcile our differences, so it is for the best that I live elsewhere.”
Both ladies gaped at her in disbelief. She did not blame them; she and Leonard had never had a disagreement for years, and suddenly everything had changed.
“I do not understand,” Clara whispered. “The two of you were so happy together. I saw it!”
“I do not know what you saw, but it was not the truth. He and I… we?—”
Cecilia felt her throat tighten.
She had chosen to leave, but that did not mean she wanted any of it. She wanted things to go back to the way they were, but that was not possible. She had made her choice—she ran away.
If her aunt did not want to house her, she would go to her parents. Their home was always open to her, but she did not want to see the pity in their eyes when they realized that she had failed them once again.
“We know that this is for the best,” she continued, sitting straighter. “It is not ideal, but it is for the best.”
Aunt Margaret studied her for a moment. Cecilia felt her skin prickle, slightly intimidated, before her aunt gave a sad smile.
“I know that you are hiding something,” she sighed. “You are a married lady, so you may do as you please. But should you wish to tell me everything, I will gladly lend a listening ear.”
Cecilia thanked her, and then they went to the breakfast room. It was strange because she was ravenous, but when she looked at all the food, none of it tempted her.
