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Selina hurried up the steps, on her way to Abigail’s room. Her friend’s stricken expression at Lucas’s cruel words upset Selina. She had noticed upon her arrival how Abigail had fallen victim to Lucas Gray’s charm once again. Her letters the past few months had declared her intention to move forward with her life and stop waiting for Lucas to declare his love. Abigail had made plans to become a governess, and Selina feared those plans had changed.
When she reached Abigail’s room, she found the maid pressing her ear against the door, muttering to herself.
“Polly?” Selina called out the maid’s name.
Polly jumped, startled at getting caught eavesdropping. “Lady Forrester, I was only . . .”
“You are fine. How is Abigail?”
Polly wrung her hands together, glancing at the door. “In a terrible fit. I can hear her crying, then she goes off in a tyrant about arrogant, conceited lords who . . . I cannot repeat what the miss is saying. I never knew Miss Abigail held knowledge of such words.”
Selina patted the maid’s hands. “’Tis to be expected when one deals with Lucas Gray. Do not fret. I will calm Abigail.”
Polly nodded, taking herself away. Selina sighed. Within a matter of minutes, every servant in the manor would learn of Abigail’s tirade about Lucas. Polly was a dear, but she couldn’t keep a secret.
Selina opened the door without knocking and strolled into the bedchamber as if it were her own. She found Abigail curled up on the divan, crying. Selina closed the door, rushed to her side, and drew her into an embrace. At one time, they had disliked each other, but now they were as close as sisters. Selina’s heart ached at Abigail’s despair. She hoped her husband was calling Lucas out for his poor behavior.
“Oh, dear. Everything will be well. I promise.”
Abigail hiccupped. “You cannot make a promise against the impossible.”
“Yes, I can,” Selina stated with confidence. “After all, I will become a duchess one day and I deem it so.”
Abigail laughed and wiped at her nose. “You don’t even want to become a duchess anymore.”
“But it is my destiny, and I have accepted it,” Selina answered smugly.
Abigail smiled wistfully at her friend. “You will be the grandest duchess of the ton.”
Selina shook her head. “Not standing next to you, my friend.”
Abigail pinched her lips. “That day will never happen. As of this moment, I am finished with Lucas Gray. I have fallen out of love with him.” Abigail rose off the divan and started pacing. Her temper rose with each step. “What I held for him was never love but a silly infatuation I am no longer indulging in.”
Selina scoffed. “Bollocks.”
Abigail blushed at the profanity. “Selina!”
Selina arched a brow. “Do not act Miss Innocent with me, Abigail Cason. Polly had her ear at your door and told me of the improper words you used to describe Lucas.”
Abigail blushed. “Mmm.”
“Mmm is right. If you are no longer in love with Lucas, then please explain the grass stains on your wrinkled dress.”
“I tripped and fell,” Abigail lied.
“Pshh, another lie.”
Abigail refused to defend herself. Because no matter what she said, Selina would discover the truth. Abigail was a horrible liar. She could never perfectly tell a lie because, with any fib she ever uttered, guilt ate away at her.
“Then can you explain your plump lips? Because they appear as if someone kissed them quite thoroughly,” Selina taunted. Abigail stayed silent, so Selina threw question after question at her about Lucas’s kissing abilities. “Is Lucas a swell kisser? Did he make you weak in the knees? Does he make you want to throw all sensible behavior to the wind?”
“Why do you ask me questions you are quite aware of what the answers are? You shared a kiss with Lucas before and have firsthand knowledge of them,” Abigail answered with exasperation.
Selina shook with revulsion. “You are aware of the reason behind our kiss. And it is a memory I have forgotten and wish never to relive. So my answer would be no to every single question. But I was not asking myself but you. So please tell.”
Abigail sighed, throwing herself across the bed. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”
“Finally. He took long enough. I feared you would become an old maid before he even made an attempt.”
“Why are men so difficult?”
“Because they are stubborn fools.”
Abigail rolled over and propped herself up with her elbows. “But Duncan wasn’t. He knew he wanted you and he let nothing stand in his way of making you his.”
“I wish I had a token of advice to help you,” Selina said.
“Like I said, it does not matter anymore. I have accepted Lord Ross’s offer. When we arrive in London, I will become a governess to his two daughters.”
“Lord Ross?”
“Yes. He is the lord I wrote to you about. He learned of my interest in holding a governess position and wrote to me last year. But I had to decline his offer when Colebourne fell ill. But since then, his governess is leaving his employment because she is getting married. So he offered the position again. He has holdings in England and Scotland, so I will split my time between the two countries during my employment,” Abigail explained.
“Have you learned anything else about this lord? Has Colebourne vetted his standing in society?” Selina asked with curiosity.
“Yes. They have corresponded and Colebourne gives his approval.”
“Mmm. Interesting,” Selina murmured.
“What is?”
“The name seems familiar, ‘tis all. Now let us return to the kiss you shared.”
“Kisses,” Abigail muttered.
“Kisses?” Selina exclaimed.
Abigail nodded, turning bright red.
Selina clutched at her chest. “Oh my, the ever prim and proper Abigail Cason and the stuffy Lucas Gray shared scandalous kisses. I am shocked.”
Abigail sat up, rolling her eyes. “Please. Our kisses were tame compared to every other courtship in this family. Well, the one we shared last night anyhow.”
“And the kisses you shared today?”
“Have you ever felt like your heart exploded when you were kissed?”
A dreamy expression lit Selina’s face. “With every kiss from Duncan.”
“Ohhh.”
“Can you walk away from the feelings Lucas ignites in your soul?” Selina asked.
“I must protect my heart. Every single marriage in this family has shown proof of how they have persevered through the obstacles thrown in their paths. Especially your marriage to Duncan. It has only made the bond each couple shares stronger. Still, Lucas overlooks it all, remaining stubborn,” Abigail argued.
“Do you not owe it to your heart to try one last time?”
“It is pointless. Lucas doesn’t share the same desire as I do.”
Selina laughed. “Oh, you are as blind as he is. Lucas seduces you with his eyes wherever you roam. He is constantly seeking your company. Not to mention the longing he holds for you. That man wishes to strip you naked and make you his.”
“Then why did he stop this afternoon?” A fiery blush warmed Abigail’s cheeks.
Selina smiled knowingly. “Is that the reason for your unhappiness when you returned from your picnic?”
Abigail’s hands fluttered in the air. “He . . . That is . . . You know.”
Selina’s eyebrows lifted. “No. I do not know.”
Abigail’s entire body grew warm at discussing how Lucas seduced her, only to reject her affections. How humiliating! “Lucas and I were intimate this afternoon. Then when I tried to return his affections, he jerked away and would not even allow me to touch him.”
Selina nodded, understanding Abigail’s dilemma. However, it wasn’t as severe as she imagined it to be. While Lucas seduced Abigail, he also tried to protect her virtue.
Selina sat next to Abigail and gathered her hands in hers. “He pulled away because even though he seduced you as a scoundrel, he acted honorable.”
Abigail frowned. “I do not understand.”
“You, my friend, are a temptation Lucas is finding difficult to resist.” Selina smirked.
“Pshh.” Abigail scoffed. “I see you have adapted to your new family well. The Forresters can spin a fanciful tale on anything.”
Selina laughed. “I shall take that as a compliment. Now how you proceed is entirely your choice.”
“I have made my decision.” Abigail remained stubborn.
Selina rose and walked to the door. She paused, turning slightly. “Might I offer a suggestion?”
“If not you, then I am sure once everyone arrives tomorrow they will not hesitate to offer their advice.”
Selina smiled. “I am sure every single lady will offer the same suggestion.”
“And that is?” Abigail asked with sarcasm.
“There is magic in the secret passageway. You only need to make your wish as you travel along the passage. And you will find your wish granted.”
Selina didn’t wait for Abigail to refute her idea. And Abigail held no convincing argument against it. She stared at the mirror that led to the secret passageway. Every single one of her friends had used the secret passage and their happily ever after wish came true. Was she bold enough to venture to Lucas’s bedchamber? How would he react if she were to throw herself at him? Would he think her a wanton woman trying to trap him? Or would he accept her love?
If she were to take a chance, it must be this evening before everyone arrived tomorrow. Selina and Duncan would turn a blind eye, but her friends, nay her family, would force a union between Lucas and her. Abigail accepted the fact of never becoming Lady Gray. However, it didn’t have to stop her from experiencing Lucas’s love. She now understood why her friends had sacrificed their virtues for the gentlemen they loved.
Was she willing to make the same sacrifice without breaking her heart?