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Jacqueline found Aunt Susanna in the small office next to her uncle’s study. Uncle Theo had converted the room into an office for Aunt Susanna to use whenever she visited. There, she would write her correspondence and take care of matters concerning the estate. She gave the home a feminine touch after years of neglect. After Aunt Olivia passed, Uncle Theo had fallen into a deep depression from his loss. The loss of his brothers and their wives brought him another five children to raise. Their arrival had seemed to lift his and Lucas’s spirits. He’d asked his wife’s sister to help him since he held no clue on how to relate to five girls. However, through the years, he’d formed a loving relationship with each of them.
All the girls considered Aunt Susanna their own aunt, and she embraced them in the same manner. Through the years, everyone had grown closer as they worked through their grief at losing the ones they loved. As the oldest child, Jacqueline had assumed the role of a parent when Aunt Susanna wasn’t in residence. She guided the girls through hardship, dried their tears, praised them for their achievements, and gave them the love they’d lost. She never wanted a single thing from them but their happiness. However, sometimes Jacqueline needed the gentle guidance of a mother, and Aunt Susanna offered her arms whenever Jacqueline needed her. Even when she returned to her own estate, they kept in touch with weekly letters.
As much as she wanted to persuade Aunt Susanna to throw her together with Kincaid, she also needed her sage advice on the gentleman. Maybe she could help settle Jacqueline from the lingering doubts that clouded her judgement.
She knocked on the door. “May I interrupt?”
Aunt Susanna raised her head and smiled warmly. “Yes, dear. Why not close the door for privacy. It has been a while since we’ve had a friendly visit.”
Jacqueline closed the door and took a seat on the sofa near the fireplace. Aunt Susanna joined her and waited for Jacqueline to speak. She twisted her hands in her lap, unsure how to convey her feelings without giving too much of her relationship with Kincaid away.
Aunt Susanna placed her hand over Jacqueline’s. “You have something on your mind?”
Jacqueline sighed. “Yes.”
Aunt Susanna patted Jacqueline’s hands before pulling away. “Take your time, dear. No need to force out your troubles until you have your thoughts settled.”
Jacqueline blew out a breath. “That is the problem. I cannot settle my thoughts and hoped you could offer me some insight.”
“On?” Aunt Susanna prompted.
“Lord Kincaid.”
“Oh.”
Jacqueline closed her eyes, then opened them again to see Aunt Susanna’s knowing expression. “Yes. Oh.”
Aunt Susanna laughed. “Can I safely assume that Lord Kincaid is not the only one smitten?”
Jacqueline nodded. “You may assume correctly. However, Uncle Theo no longer considers him a suitable match. Then there is my wish not to wed any gentleman. I prefer to spend my life alone. I have enough family to fill the void of loneliness and companionship. But I wish to enjoy his company when he visits.”
“Only enjoyment? You hold no other feelings for Lord Kincaid?”
Jacqueline rushed her answer. “No. Nothing else.”
“Bollocks!”
Jacqueline gasped. “Aunt Susanna!”
“You heard me, missy. You speak utter nonsense with your denial. I’ve seen you in Lord Kincaid’s company. You do not fool me for a second. I have even witnessed a kiss you shared with the lord.”
Jacqueline blushed. “Yes. Well... He only...”
Aunt Susanna settled back against the cushions with a smug look. “Exactly.”
Jacqueline tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. “What am I to do?”
“What do you wish to do?” Aunt Susanna asked softly.
Jacqueline turned her head toward her aunt. “I am too scared to act upon what I wish for.”
“And that is?”
“I want what Charlie, Evelyn, Gemma, and even what Duncan found with Selina. A husband who fills my days and nights with a love so profound it chases my fears away. A marriage like what you share with Ramsay.”
“Does Lord Kincaid qualify for that position?”
Jacqueline sighed. “Yes.”
“But?”
“But what if I lose him? What if I find myself alone once again, surrounded by heartache? I do not know if my heart can handle the pain his loss would bring,” Jacqueline explained, her voice quivering.
Aunt Susanna drew Jacqueline into her arms and offered her a mother’s warm embrace. “Life does not come with guarantees. As much as we wish it to, it does not. That is why it is called life. We are meant to embrace life and live each day as a grand affair. If we live in fear, then we allow fear to win. What if you do not allow yourself to love Lord Kincaid? What if you do not open your heart to new experiences? Only you can answer those questions. I believe you will live in regret for not taking a chance at a slice of happiness for yourself.”
When Jacqueline didn’t answer, Aunt Susanna continued. “Oh, my dear, I have watched you grow into an amazing lady. At a young age, life forced you into a motherly role. You took on a responsibility no one expected you to, but you did so with grace, making everyone proud. You deserve everything your heart desires, but no one else can make your decisions. Only you can. We can only offer our love and support.”
Tears slid along Jacqueline’s cheeks while she lay in her aunt’s arms. Jacqueline thought over Aunt Susanna’s advice. While taking the chance was tempting, she still clung to her fear. She didn’t know if she could ever release the bonds and open her heart so completely.
Jacqueline wiped her tears away and pulled out of her aunt’s arms. She attempted to smile. “Thank you for your advice.”
“And Lord Kincaid?”
“I will consider him and his offer.”
Aunt Susanna’s brows drew together. “Offer?”
Jacqueline winced. She had spoken too much. Now she would have to tell Aunt Susanna of Kincaid’s marriage proposal. “He asked for my hand in marriage.”
“Without asking your uncle’s permission first?”
“Yes.”
“Mmm. And your answer was?”
Jacqueline grimaced. “No.”
“Is there a reason Lord Kincaid asked so presumptuously?”
Jacqueline felt the warmth of a blush cover her face and neck. “No,” she denied.
Aunt Susanna narrowed her gaze, taking in Jacqueline’s blush, and knew her statement was false. While she and Theo knew Jacqueline and Kincaid stole away together for brief spells, she didn’t realize it had transgressed past innocent affections. Jacqueline’s reaction confirmed that she’d shared intimacies with Lord Kincaid. This changed everything Theo had planned. His attempt to make Kincaid jealous of Lord Falcone’s attention toward Jacqueline would result in a scandal. How they had escaped one with the other girls was pure luck. With Theo throwing Falcone into the mix, they might never recover from the disgrace since Falcone held no clue about their matchmaking madness.
She watched Jacqueline grow more nervous and attempted to reassure her. “Very well. I will not inform your uncle of Lord Kincaid’s offer. However, you must make a decision on whether to accept his proposal. And to do so, you must spend time with him. Not alone, though,” she stressed.
“No, of course not. Perhaps you can sit us next to each other when you arrange the seating order and partner us for the entertainments.” Jacqueline tried to insert the main reason she’d sought out Aunt Susanna.
“Yes. That is an excellent idea. Leave it to me to throw Lord Kincaid and you together without drawing your uncle’s notice.”
“What about Uncle Theo? He has withdrawn his support of Lord Kincaid.”
“Your uncle has his reasons for his actions. But do not worry about him either. I will enlist Ramsay’s help to keep your uncle occupied.”
Jacqueline raised her brows. “That is a disaster waiting to happen.”
Susanna laughed with glee. “But just the distraction we may need.”
Jacqueline rose and bent over to kiss her aunt’s cheek. “You are the best,” she whispered before leaving.
Susanna’s face lit with a devious smile as she watched Jacqueline leave. Over the course of the next few days, she would guide the lovely couple to a lifetime of love and happiness. She would keep this information to herself for a while. Theo didn’t need to learn how far Lord Kincaid had overstepped his bounds. Not yet, anyway. By the end of the week, Lord Kincaid would prove himself worthy.
And Jacqueline would realize the destiny the universe held for her.