Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,82
offer to speak with her brother if that was still his wish. Her throat ached at the idea of him accepting.
Yet, he must if he cared for his family. He couldn’t bring her into the fold, noble birth aside, not if he wanted the best for his sisters.
One rotten apple spoils the whole bushel.
Tears welled in her eyes and she swiped them away. She would go to the convent quietly this time. Even if her brother agreed to allow her to reside at Brighthurst House, she couldn’t return. Patrice finally had a chance for happiness with her far away and out of mind. In Dunstable, Vivi would always be considered a fallen woman and a constant reminder that Patrice bore relations who rendered her unsuitable for the position of vicar’s wife. She couldn’t ask her cousin to give up a life with Vicar Ramsey, especially now that Vivi knew what it was like to love another person.
She placed Luke’s note on the dressing table and prepared to summon her maid to dress her for the evening’s entertainments. Charades, the duchess had announced with much enthusiasm when they had taken tea earlier.
Vivi’s heart ached anew. She could love Luke’s family very much if she were to marry him. With only three days left to bask in the warmth of belonging someplace, she shoved her worries to a corner of her mind. She would make memories tonight that she could recall in the lonely days ahead.
A soft knock sounded at her door before it eased open. Luke slipped into her chambers then turned the lock.
“Your Grace, what are you doing?”
His gaze paused on the pot of orchids before settling on her. His blue eyes sparkled like sapphires and he grinned, the gap between his teeth showing. How she would miss the small imperfections that seemed so perfect on him. She grew misty-eyed again.
“Vivian?” His merriment vanished as he came forward to wrap her in his arms. “What’s wrong?”
A burning ball clogged her throat and prevented her from speaking. Molasses. Must she cry now? As if acknowledging their existence was the same as permission to come, more tears sprang to her eyes.
He touched his thumb to her cheek when they began to slide down her cheeks. “Am I responsible for your tears?”
“No.” She choked on a sob. “Not directly.”
Luke gathered her against him. “Shh. Whatever it is cannot be so bad as to warrant tears. Please, don’t cry.”
His words, which were likely meant to soothe her, had the opposite effect. Great hiccupping sounds burst from her.
Vivi was an ugly crier. She always had been. And if she kept up this nonsense, her nose would turn bright red and start running.
Luke snuggled her closer, tucking her head under his chin. “There, there, love.”
Those words of comfort had always struck her as odd. What did they mean? There, there what?
There, there. You’re making a fool of yourself. There, there. You’re behaving like a silly girl.
“I’ll soil your shirt,” she croaked. When she tried to wriggle free, he held her firmly in place.
“I care nothing for my shirt. I’d as soon take it off.” He slanted a teasing look down at her. “What do you say?”
She laughed despite her misery. How unfair to be so close to being loved by this man and know she was losing him.
You only have yourself to blame.
She backed out of his embrace. “I should ready myself for the evening festivities.”
“Soon.” He scooped her up into his arms and carried her to the bed, laying her on the counterpane.
“Luke, I will be late if I don’t—”
“I won’t keep you long.”
His words were like a dagger between her ribs and stole her breath.
He joined her on the bed and propped up on his elbow beside her. His fingers trailed down her cheek and over her lips. There was a question in his gaze, a furrow between his brows.
“Why were you crying?”
She swallowed hard lest she start bawling again. “I don’t know.”
“Did you and Miss Truax have a quarrel today?”
“No.” She snorted. Miss Truax was the last person on her mind, and she was more likely to cheer if they were to become estranged. “I became overwrought for a moment. I’m better now.”
The line on his forehead deepened and his darkened eyes bore into her. “You know you may tell me anything.”
Did he know something already? Looking away, she wiped her sweaty palms against the counterpane. “I know.”
He captured her chin and made her look at him again. “Do you, Vivian? Do you