“You seem to be upset, Lizzie.” Isobel looked at her.

“How could I be upset? Sir Charles’s visit was lovely. It is clear that you have stolen his heart.” Lizzie flashed a sincere smile at Isobel. Lizzie wanted nothing more than to see Isobel happy, but the thought of Isobel marrying and leaving the family home was disheartening. Lizzie stood up. “I am going for a walk.”

The duchess studied her oldest daughter before putting aside her sewing and saying nonchalantly, “I think I shall accompany you. I wouldn’t mind the fresh air or the company.”

“Mama, I want to be alone with my thoughts.”

“Nonsense, darling. Let us go. The exercise will do us both some good.”

The walk brought Lizzie and her mother to the untamed fields of the estate. No words were exchanged, and the duchess remained silent. She knew her daughter and was very good at waiting her out. Lizzie climbed higher and higher and then turned to look at their home. “Isn’t it strange, Mama? We live in such a beautiful home, with grounds spreading so far, and yet one day, you and Papa will be gone and Isobel will be married. I will be the only one left. It seems so lonely, the very thought of it.”

Her mother’s eyes darkened with distress. “Darling, why are your thoughts so sorrowful?”

Lizzie sat down. “I wish, at times, that things were different, but they are not. I am not fit for marriage, Mama. If anyone ever found out, I would ruin our family’s name. I couldn’t do that to you, Papa and Isobel.”

Her mother sat down next to her and held her hand. “What happened was not to be predicted, darling, and in my eyes, you are not damaged. You are the most patient and wonderful daughter a mother could want. Nobody will ever find out about that experience. Your father made sure of that.”

Lizzie’s eyes glistened with tears that she would not allow to fall. “Suppose I do fall in love and get married, am I doomed to lie to my husband for our entire lives? I couldn’t live with that. It’s best that I hold my secret close and remain as far away from love as possible.”

Lizzie let her mother try to comfort her, to hold her, but she felt cold inside. It was as if there was a gaping hole where her heart used to be. “Lord Deering has a cousin, Lord Malmesbury.” She could sense her mother listening. “He told me he intends to court me and will call on me tomorrow.”

“Do you like him?”

Lizzie threw up her hands, exasperated. “What does it matter how I feel?”

“Elizabeth, you are worthy of loving, and you are most definitely worthy of being loved. That horrible event was not your fault. You are not the one who needs to be forgiven. Any person who can’t see that is not fit for your love.”

Lizzie threw herself back onto the ground and covered her eyes with the back of her hand to prevent her mother from seeing the desolate look in them. She knew her mother was right.

“I do not dislike him.”

The duchess looked at her daughter and wished for a second that she could turn back time and stop herself from making the decision which ruined her daughter’s life. “I hold myself responsible.”

“You should not. I was the one who accepted the proposal. I could have said no. I just have to bear this burden and live on.”

“My darling girl, your spirit and faith in the Lord is a strength to us all.” The duchess pulled her daughter to her chest and let her own tears flow. Her heart felt like it would break into more shattered pieces. She had tried so hard to make peace with her daughter’s past so that she could comfort the broken girl.

“I think I shall go to London for a few weeks. Maybe some time away will be good for me.” As her mother pulled away from her to look at her face, Lizzie quickly smiled. Putting her mask firmly back in place, she said in a cheery tone, “A little shopping and some socializing might be what I need.”

Lizzie stood up. “I do so hate to be this mood.” She looked back at her mother, “It is getting rather late. Let us go back or Isobel will be shrieking our names for the neighbors to hear.”

“I really should tell her not to do that,” the duchess said, disapprovingly, following her lead and changing the tone.

The next morning as Lizzie stood at the doorway saying her goodbyes, she caressed a tearful Isobel on the cheek. “Do not fret. If I find any potential suitors who might be worthy rivals of your Sir Charles, I will send them your way, immediately.”

That had just the intended effect.

Face turning red, Isobel scowled. “Don’t you dare.”

“I might. You never know.”

“Mother!”

“Can’t you please begin your holiday without starting a fight, Lizzie?”

Lizzie grinned and gave her sister a loud kiss on the cheek. “Behave yourself, darling” She began walking towards the carriage, and then paused and whispered into her mother’s ear, “I do believe Sir Charles will make her quite happy.”

The afternoon was bustling with excitement as the duchess had invited Lord Malmesbury and his sister, Lady Katherine, to tea. The duchess had already invited Lady Katherine to tea after meeting her at the ball, believing that Katherine would get along well with her daughters. She extended the invitation to Lord Malmesbury when Lizzie mentioned her potential interest in him. The duchess wanted Lizzie to be present, but Lizzie needed time to herself, so she allowed her to visit London.

“Lady Katherine, thank you for joining us.”

“Thank you, Your Grace. May I introduce my brother, Lord Malmesbury.”

“How do you do, Your Grace? I am acquainted with your eldest daughter.” Matthew bowed.

“So I hear. She is not present, unfortunately. She left for London this morning.” The duchess was watching Matthew’s every move, but continued her conversation with Katherine. “Lady Katherine, how long are you staying in Wellington?”

“I am not entirely sure. It depends upon my brother.” When the duchess turned an inquiring eye on Matthew, he just smiled. “It depends entirely upon the answer Lady Elizabeth gives me.”

“Matthew!” exclaimed Katherine. She was embarrassed by Matthew’s bold statement.

Their hostess raised a hand to stop Katherine and studied Matthew. “I heard about you yesterday. I also heard that you wish to court my daughter.”

“Will you allow it?”

Matthew saw the troubled look on the duchess’s face. She slowly said, “I would not push my daughter too much, Lord Malmesbury. If she does not wish it, please do not pursue her.”

Matthew was silent. The duchess’s feelings were betrayed by her sad eyes as she moved to greet her other guests. Matthew watched her, his eyes hard. Something was definitely wrong.

As the afternoon progressed, Matthew observed the way the duchess encouraged the interaction between Sir Charles and her younger daughter. Matthew found it exceedingly strange that the duchess was trying to block his attention toward Lizzie.