He stood abruptly from the table and quit the dining room. He had one more day to suffer this infernal party, and then he could get back to his life. The one that hadn’t included Genie and never would.
Chapter 9
One month later, Lakemoor Dower House
Genie set the letter aside and looked out at the gray afternoon. The dismal sky matched her mood. Another batch of letters from friends—and a potential suitor. Not one of them was from Edmund, nor had there been one from him since the house party.
Did she really expect him to write? Despite the intimacy they’d shared, they’d left things with an air of finality. Furthermore, she’d departed early.
After their tryst behind the stable, she’d somehow made it through dinner that night, even though she couldn’t stop thinking of Edmund—his smile, his easygoing nature, the way he made her feel. After dinner, there had been dancing, which had led to a mishap in which Lettie had fallen into Edmund’s arms. They’d laughed and seemed to hold on to one another for a bit longer than necessary. Coupling that with the rumor that Lettie had visited his room the night before, Genie had convinced herself that it was for the best if he pursued Lettie. Or someone else.
Anyone but her.
She glanced at the last letter she’d read. It was from Mr. Sterling. He’d written to her three times since the party, and in this letter, he’d asked if he could visit. He was kind, warm, and effusive in his flattery—maybe even a little too much—and clearly in want of a wife. Or, more importantly, a mother for his children.
She’d half expected to hear from Lord Rotherham too, but had not. Perhaps he’d deemed her too old after all. Especially since, with two daughters, he was still in need of an heir. Like Edmund.
A movement outside caught Genie’s attention. Her stepson, Titus, strode up the walkway to the front door of the dower house. She stood and heard her butler greet him a moment later.
Summoning a smile as Titus walked into the sitting room, she bade him enter. “Do you want tea?”
He shook his head. “No, thank you. I just got back from a ride and thought I’d stop in. Reading correspondence?” He looked toward the desk behind her in front of the window.
She glanced over her shoulder. “Yes.”
Titus’s brow puckered. It was an expression that made him look so much like his father that Genie never failed to feel a tick in her chest. With black hair, sharp green eyes, and a tall, fit form, he was an exceptionally handsome man. And at twenty-four, with a ducal title and multiple estates, he was a sought-after match on the Marriage Mart. Or he would be if he put himself in any situations that would give a young lady the impression he was interested in taking a wife.
He was not.
“I hope you’ll forgive my impertinence,” he said. “You’ve been…different since you returned from the house party. I assumed it was due to missing Father. I can’t imagine it was easy to be at a social event with other married couples.”
Genie hadn’t told him about the party at all. He’d taken a trip to one of his other estates a few days after she’d returned and had been gone a fortnight. “Actually, the only married couple in attendance were our hosts.”
His brows shot up. “Indeed?”
Genie sat in her favorite chair and gestured for him to take a seat. He dropped onto the settee and stretched his long legs out in front of him.
“My cousin conceived of the party as a way for widows and widowers as well as unmarried gentleman to…socialize.”
He looked confused. “Was it a matchmaking enterprise?”
“Somewhat—but not all the matches were necessarily meant to be permanent. If you catch my meaning.”
Titus’s lips stretched into a smile. “I do. Diabolically brilliant.” He sobered and pulled his legs up. “You didn’t care for it?”
“She didn’t tell me the purpose in advance, which I found disappointing. I did not appreciate being surprised. In fact, I wanted to leave immediately, but the rain washed out the road.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me this before.”
She hadn’t meant to keep it from him. Generally, they were quite open with each other. But the party had surprised her in many ways, and she was still trying to determine how to proceed.
“I am not sure what to say.” She folded her hands in her lap. “I suppose I didn’t want you to think I’d moved on from your father.”
“Have you?” He exhaled. “Never mind—that’s none of my business. I hope you have, actually. He wanted that.”
She’d never discussed this with him. “How do you know?”
He gave her a sheepish look. “You know he left me letters. One of them was about you. He urged me to encourage you to marry again. He argued you are much too young to remain alone.” He paused for a moment, resting his elbow on the arm of the settee. “I tend to agree with him, but it’s entirely up to you. I will support whatever you wish—always.”
Genie felt such love for this boy—no, man. She supposed he would always be the sweet five-year-old she’d promised to raise as her son when she’d wed his father.
“Did you…meet someone?” Titus asked, pulling Genie back to the present.
There was no reason not to tell him the truth. “I did. However, we didn’t suit.” She glanced toward the desk again. “Another gentleman from the party has been writing to me. There’s a chance we may suit, however.” Saying the words out loud made her doubt the possibility. Thinking of Peter Sterling didn’t give her the same rush of anticipation that thinking of Edmund did. She realized she missed him dreadfully—his surreptitious heated looks in her direction, his deep laugh, his care and concern for her well-being.
He cocked his head. “Forgive me again, but you don’t sound very enthusiastic.”
“I’m not entirely certain I’m ready to wed again. Now or perhaps ever. I’m not sure I can bring myself to leave Lakemoor. Or you.” She gave him a tremulous smile.
He leaned forward. “You must make decisions that are best for you. I will be fine.” He glanced away, then met her gaze once more. “You haven’t asked for my advice, but I hope you will pursue what makes you happy. If anyone deserves joy, it’s you.”
“Thank you.” She instantly thought of Edmund. The time they’d spent together had been her happiest moments since Jerome had died.
Her butler appeared in the doorway. He looked to Genie. “Your Grace, a gentleman has arrived to see you.”
Her breath snagged and her heart sped. No, it wouldn’t be Edmund. But how she wished it was. She realized in that moment that she’d fallen quite desperately in love with him. Probably. How could she be sure when she’d only ever loved one other person?
Because the sensation was similar. She missed Edmund. She thought of him all the time. She yearned to see him again. And now that a gentleman had arrived, she fervently hoped it was him even as she knew it wouldn’t be.
The butler added, “Mr. Peter Sterling.”
Genie’s belly sank. “Show him in.”
Titus started to rise. “Shall I go?”