Page 116 of Ravishing His Wicked Lady (The Shadows 4)

Annalise gave Lavinia a stern look. “I can deal with a lot. I have nowhere to go.”

Lavinia smiled and quickly relayed the story. She told Annalise everything, from her attempt to apologize to Sebastian at the field, to their kidnapping and escape. She told her about the duel and the subsequent revelation that it was her guardian who had orchestrated all of this. She relayed everything, since she had never held anything back from Annalise, including the kisses, but kept the more lurid details just for herself.

Annalise’s face was animated throughout the story as she gasped or chuckled, or froze in a horror-stricken grimace. By the end of the story, she was holding on to her chest. “Oh, Lord! I’ve missed so much!”

“And I am glad that you did. I am eternally grateful to Caroline for keeping everyone calm during this bizarre situation. I do not know how she does it.”

Annalise placed her hand on her rounded belly. “She is a gem. I don’t know how I would have reacted had I seen it all unfold.”

“And that is exactly why I am glad you didn’t have the chance to find out.”

Annalise cleared her throat and moved closer to Lavinia. “And so what… You do not love Kensington anymore?”

Lavinia heaved a sigh, remembering the conversation she shared with him in Sebastian’s chamber. Finally, she said, “He’s been there for me my entire life. He is my friend and I do not want that to change. Yes, I do love him. I think I always will—I hope, I always will. But perhaps the kind of love I feel toward him was never romantic. Sure, I wanted more closeness with him, but that was before I knew what closeness truly entailed.”

A tender smile appeared on Annalise’s lips. “And now that you do know…?”

“And now that I do,” Lavinia repeated with an answering smile, “I can’t imagine experiencing that closeness with anyone but Sebastian.”

Annalise placed her hand atop Lavinia’s. “So, you are going to marry him?”

Lavinia pursed her lips. “I… Honestly? I don’t know anything else that would make me happier.”

Annalise squeezed her fingers and laughed.

“I-I haven’t said it to him yet, so I am not certain I should tell anyone else, but… You are my closest friend…”

“Yes?” Annalise prompted.

“I think I am deeply in love with him.”

Annalise bit on her lower lip. And then tears appeared at the corners of her eyes. “Oh, my!” She searched her gown for a handkerchief and wiped at her tears.

“Oh, please, don’t cry. Or then I shall cry, and we’re going to sit here like two watering pots.”

Annalise chuckled, wiping at her cheeks. “I am so happy that you’ve found love. That’s all I ever wanted for you.”

Lavinia nodded. “However—”

Annalise looked up at her in horror. “No, no howevers.”

“I haven’t told him about my guardian’s schemes yet.”Or about my darker secret.She swallowed.

“He shall not care. I am certain.”

Lavinia lowered her gaze. She couldn’t tell Annalise everything. It was too much. She hoped it wouldn’t matter, but she was frightened out of her wits.

A knock at the door distracted them both. They turned to a half-open door, where Payne stood, watching his wife with hooded eyes. “My lady.” He sketched a bow toward Lavinia. “Apologies. The door was open.”

Lavinia smiled. “My lord. Please, come in.”

He shook his head. “Thank you. But I came to collect my wife. Annalise, you said you wanted to have a walk before dinner. I suggest we go now before the sun sets.”

Annalise threw Lavinia an apologetic smile.

“Please, go,” Lavinia urged. “We shall have more time to speak later.”

Annalise squeezed her hand. “Keep me informed of all the details.”

“Of course.”

As the door behind the Paynes closed, Lavinia remembered the letter from her stepmother. She walked toward the bedside table and picked up the note.

Dear Lavinia.

I am writing to inform you that your father has passed. Your guardian is making funeral arrangements, I am preparing to leave the townhouse, and the man who is to be your husband is in London. So, please, whatever you were going to do during the house party, do it now. And do not return to London until you’re wed.

All my love, Matilda.

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