Georgianna: The Last Real Duchess (The Real Duchesses of London) (16 page)
Read Georgianna: The Last Real Duchess (The Real Duchesses of London) Online
Authors: Lavinia Kent
"How can . . ."
He cut her off. I don't know how, only that it is true. You are now and always have been my destiny, Annie, my sweet."
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Did she dare believe him? To do so would take courage, courage she had long since put aside with youthful innocence. "I am afraid."
He smiled ruefully. "I've never before heard such words in these circumstances."
"Oh." She stiffened.
"That was the wrong thing to say, but I cannot pretend. You were right that the past cannot be forgotten – only learned from. I have a past. I have done you wrong. I cannot pretend otherwise, but I can swear to never do so again in the future. I can be the man you need. Tell me what I need to do to prove it to you and I will. Just give me the chance."
Annie filled her lungs with air and then exhaled very slowly. "The only way you can prove it to me is to be there everyday, to be the man I want and need every single day of my life."
He sat up straight, placed a hand on each side of her head and turned her until they were nose to nose. "That is all I want to do in this world. I do have responsibilities, the estates, my seat in lords, but I will do my best to be with you whenever I can – and to bring you with me whenever you wish – and Robbie as well when he is a little older."
Annie pushed out of his arms and standing began to pull up her dress and to arrange it as best she could. Her mind was spinning. She was being offered everything she ever wanted, but did she dare take it? It was the same question that had plagued her for days, if not longer. Did she trust Richard?
She watched as he stood also and began to pull on his clothing. He was so magnificent, moving with an animal like grace.
He had never actually lied to her – he had avoided and eluded, not answered her – but she could not remember him ever actually lying. It might have been easier if he had lied about Coquette.
Turning, she faced him square on. "Are you truly done with Coquette and have no other mistress?"
"If truth be known I have not taken another woman to my bed for well, well over a year and have no intention of ever doing so again – no matter what the outcome is today."
"And you love Robbie and wish to be a good father to him?"
"It is my dearest wish."
"And me?" It was the hardest question she had ever asked. "Do you love me?"
He stepped forward and placed a hand on each of her cheeks. "Always and forever."
He kissed her lightly. "And do you love me, Annie? Do you love me as you once did? Can you forgive the past?"
"No. I do not love you as I once did. When we married I loved you as a girl. You were as much fantasy as reality. I loved the dream in my head as much I loved the man that you were." She bent her head and laid her forehead against his chest. "Can I forgive the past?" I think so. I cannot forget, but yes, I can forgive. We were both young and did not value what we had. And do I love you?"
"Do you?" Richard bent to lift her face, but she stepped away, not yet ready to face him again.
"I have tried so hard not to love you. With loving comes pain and I have no desire to be hurt again."
"I will not . . ."
"No." She turned back to him. "Do not promise. Promises mean nothing. Only actions matter. Show me everyday that you mean what you have said tonight."
"I will."
"And I will hold you to that promise with my trust – and with my love, because, yes I do love you, Richard. I have almost since the moment we met and I expect that no matter what happens I always will.” She turned away from him, and walked a few steps, looking back over her shoulder, letting him gaze at the long naked lines of her back where she had failed to refasten her gown. "And now, my husband, will you follow me upstairs – to bed – so that we can sleep and face this new tomorrow together. I'd love to be able to tell Elizabeth that I had no more need of plans."
Richard's smile was all the answer she needed – although it promised there might not be much sleep involved.
The Duchesses
"You are back sooner than expected," Linnette rose from her seat as Elizabeth entered the room.
"I have always been quite efficient," Elizabeth answered, walking over to inspect the tea tray.
"So did our plan work? Is Annie happy? Will Hargrove take proper care of her this time?” Annabelle bubbled with questions.
Elizabeth looked about at the circle of her dear friends: Linnette, fiery and ready to take on battle; Annabelle, speaking without thought and always with the best of intentions; and Kathryn, quiet and serene, but full of power. These women had stood by her through her darkest moments and she had no doubt that they would be there whenever needed in the future.
"Actually I failed," she answered with a half smile.
"Failed?” Linnette clearly did not catch the smile and was ready to hop on a horse and head to Harsgate herself.
"Yes, I failed. Annie had it all under control without me, without us – although I may have given her a few hints on how to keep a man – a man pleased."
"So what happened?" Kathryn asked, patting the cushions beside her and indicating that Elizabeth should sit.
"That is a far longer story than I can tell without tea, but I can assure you that Annie's smile and blushes when she came down in the morning told a tale all their own."
There was silence for a moment as each of the ladies considered her own life and what such a smile meant.
And then Annabelle spoke, her normal cheer slipping. "Well, if that is taken care of perhaps I can ask help with another matter. My sister, Lucille, is missing. It seems she's left Bath and disappeared. I received a letter telling me she was fine, but . . ."
Elizabeth felt her interest rise. "Do you think there is a man involved?"
Also by Lavinia Kent
The Desire Series
The Real Duchesses of London
Georgianna, the Last Real Duchess