Page 78 of A Baron's Disguised Lady
“I’m fine. How’s Lavinia?” he asked, for she was his chief concern.
“She’s with Daisy now, though I’ve insisted she go to bed after she’s bathed and changed her clothes. I’m worried she’ll catch a chill, even on a warm day such as this, the water in the river must be icy. I shudder to think what might’ve happened,” Archie’s mother said, shaking her head.
“I’m glad it’s over. I never thought… well, Gwendolene, Wilhelmina… I know it’s terrible to say, but I feel as though a burden’s been lifted. I think I can finally let her go, mother,” Archie said.
He did not know if he should feel guilty for having such thoughts, but his mother smiled at him and nodded.
“You’ve devoted yourself to discovering the truth, Archie. Gwendolene would be grateful to you, as am I. But it’s time to move on, to lay the past to rest. Gwendolene would want you to be happy, Archie, as we all do,” his mother said, and Archie nodded.
He was grateful for her words, and in them, he heard Gwendolene’s voice, too. He would always remember his sister. He would always honor her memory. But as for living his life in the uncertainty of her passing, Archie knew he was no longer to be held back from embracing the future, as his sister would have wanted him to do.
“I miss her terribly. But now I can lay her to rest, in my heart. I’ve discovered the truth, with Lavinia’s help, and now… well, the future lies open,” Archie replied.
“And what future do you hope for, Archie?” His mother smiled. “You know, I’m quite sure she’d say yes…”
His mother left him then, off to find Octavia, leaving Archie alone with his thoughts. And he could think of nothing but Lavinia, so not even bothering to bathe or change, he made his way upstairs, pausing outside Gwendolene’s bedroom, before going on to Lavinia’s.
Chapter 29
“There now, Miss Stuart… a nice cup of tea. How are you feeling?” Daisy said, as she handed Lavinia the freshly poured cup.
“Better, thank you, Daisy. I hadn’t realized how cold I was. I suppose I was caught up in the excitement of it all. I didn’t have time to think,” Lavinia replied, and the maid shook her head.
“You look a little pale, but a warm drink, and an extra blanket will soon make you feel better. You’ve had a terrible ordeal,” Daisy said, tutting as she fussed around Lavinia, who was lying in bed under several blankets.
A copper tub had been placed in front of the hearth, where a fire was burning, despite the warmth of the day. Daisy had helped Lavinia out of her wet clothes, assisting her with her bathing before warming a nightgown in front of the fire for her. Lavinia was tired, but eager to see Archie, and was about to ask Daisy to find him when a gentle knock came at the door.
“I’m not disturbing you, am I?” Archie asked, as Daisy ushered him inside.
“Not at all,” she said, and Daisy bobbed into a curtsy and left the room, closing the door behind her.
Lavinia was surprised to see him still caked in mud, and wearing his torn clothes. He was always so meticulous about his dress—about everything—but it seemed he had wanted only to see her, and now she beckoned him to her bedside.
Archie pulled up a chair, taking Lavinia’s hand in his and looking at her with a concerned expression.
“Are you all right? You’ve not caught a fever, have you?” he asked, and Lavinia shook her head.
“No. I’m just cold, I think. I didn’t realize how icy the water was. It was strange, Archie. I didn’t feel anything. I was just… I don’t know, I was trying to get out, and Wilhelmina, and… oh… I’m sorry,” she said, and tears now welled up in her eyes.
She felt foolish for crying, but after everything that had happened…
“You don’t need to explain, Lavinia. I understand and there’s nothing to be sorry for. It’s me that should be sorry. I was so certain it was Lord Bath. I ignored you when you told me to keep an open mind. But I was wrong. And if it hadn’t been for you and the diary, I’d never have thought to read the letters, and… oh, Lavinia, I’m so sorry,” Archie said, and he took both Lavinia’s hands in his and clasped them.
But Lavinia did not blame him. There was nothing for him to be sorry for. He had saved her, and that was all that mattered.
“Please… let’s not dwell on the past. It doesn’t matter now, does it? We know the truth about what happened to Gwendolene,” she said, but Archie shook his head.
“But I feel so guilty, Lavinia. I could’ve saved her. Why didn’t she tell me what she was suffering? The threats Wilhelmina was making,” Archie said.
There was a look of anguish in his eyes, as though he blamed himself entirely for what had happened to Gwendolene, just as he had blamed himself for what had happened to Lavinia, too.
“She was protecting you, Archie. She knew what Wilhelmina was like. She wanted to protect you from her,” Lavinia replied.
There was no reason for Archie to blame himself. Gwendolene, for good or ill, had made her choice. She had protected her brother from Wilhelmina’s obsession.
“I suppose you’re right, yes. She knew what love meant. I’ve got so much to be grateful to her for, haven’t I?” he said, and Lavinia nodded.
“I wish I could’ve met her. She obviously loved you more than anything,” she said, and Archie smiled.
