Page 48 of A Return of the Wicked Earl (The Shadows 1)

Annalise knew from her own experience what it was like to be completely in love with someone who then betrayed her. She knew what it was like to dream and to hope for a perfect future, to run on clouds, only to have those hopes dashed in a matter of minutes. However, it wasn’t quite the same when somebody you’ve been secretly in love with all your life chose to marry somebody else. Twice.

“I was all right when he was marrying you,” Lavinia said, between hiccups. “After all, I’ve loved you just as much and for the same length of time, if not more.” She finally sat up and raised her gaze to Annalise, her eyes brimming with tears. “But Caroline? He’s known her but a few years. I don’t think I’ve ever seen them interacting together, have you?” Lavinia blew her nose into her handkerchief and wiped at her tears.

“Lavinia, dear, I hardly think this was a love match. I mean, Caroline didn’t seem happy about it either.”

“Then why did she agree to marry him? She has a multitude of suitors.”

Annalise frowned in thought. “That day, when you missed a nuncheon… Caroline mentioned that her uncle was getting insistent about pressuring her into marriage. I didn’t think much of it then, although I should have. As a marquess, I doubt he would insist upon a marriage that was beneath her station, and there are not many bachelor dukes walking around. I should’ve made a connection.”

“How could you have? I wouldn’t think Dane would choose another bride with such haste. What does he need a bride for? Heirs? I’ve heard him say on numerous occasions that he has brothers to carry out that particular responsibility, so he needn’t marry. And suddenly, two betrothals in a span of a sennight?”

Annalise bit on the inside of her cheek. Lavinia was right. Kensington had never been interested in taking a bride. When he proposed to her, it was out of duty to her as a family friend, but what about Caroline?

Something felt off there. Two betrothals in such a short period of time were bound to entice gossip. It bordered on scandal, which Kensington always hastened to avoid.

“I should have just gone to him and proposed the deal,” Lavinia said. “Then it would have been me standing up with him as his fiancée tonight.”

Annalise decided not to point out that tonight’s ball had been hosted by Caroline’s uncle, and that would’ve been unlikely. That wasn’t the point.

“I am sorry I dissuaded you from doing so,” she said instead.

“Or perhaps he would have refused, and I’d have been humiliated.” Lavinia let out a burst of nervous laughter and covered her face with her hands.

“Dear, you have to try and move on now that he’s betrothed.” Annalise tried to say this as softly as she could, but Lavinia’s head shot up, and her eyes were wide as saucers.

“But you said it yourself; Caroline doesn’t want him.”

“So?” Annalise frowned.

“Perhaps you could talk to her. And you could ask her not to marry Kensington. She can pick someone else, can’t she? Anyone else.”

Annalise’s heart filled with sorrow for her friend. “Dear—”

“No, please, Annalise. You are the one who said that he could look at me differently, that he could fall in love with me. If he doesn’t love Caroline and she doesn’t feel affection toward him, then I still have a chance. Please, please, help me.”

Annalise grimaced. Lavinia wasn’t thinking clearly. Grief was clouding her judgment. How did she imagine Caroline’s uncle would react to any of this? The betrothal being made so publicly would result in a grand scandal if dissolved.

However, Annalise knew Caroline well, too. If she had any idea how Lavinia felt, Caroline would never consent to marry the duke. Perhaps she’d even tell him to his face that he should look a little closer at his friend. Perhaps this insane idea could work and would solve both her friends’ problems… Besides, she owed Lavinia to at least try.

Either way, she needed to speak to Caroline. Annalise was worried about the hasty betrothal, and she couldn’t fathom how Caroline was feeling at the moment.

“Very well,” she said. “I shall speak to her.”

“You will?” Lavinia’s eyes lit up with hope.

“I shall. But I do not promise anything.”

Lavinia bit on her lip and nodded, visibly trying not to be too hopeful. “Thank you.”

“Do not thank me yet.”

“I thank you for always being there for me,” Lavinia whispered and wiped at her cheeks.

“You do not need to thank me for that either. I love you.”

Annalise handed Lavinia another handkerchief and patted her on the arm. “I need to get back to the ballroom. If I don’t show myself soon, there’ll be another set of gossip about Blake and me on the morrow.”

“Right.” Lavinia nodded. “Please, go. I shall stay here awhile.”

“Do not stay long, darling. We don’t need to stir more gossip. I shall send a maid to fetch you.”

Annalise was halfway to the door when Lavinia called out her name. She paused and looked at her questioningly.

“I know you are hesitant about trusting Blake again,” she said. “I know he’s done some horrible things. But I also know that you love him. And perhaps you will decide to move away in two months’ time but… All I know is if I were given two months to spend worry-free in blissful happiness with Kensington, if I was told he’d marry and I’d be miserable after, but I’d have the memories of these two months… I would take it.”

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