Love Matched (London Ladies Embroidery Book 3) by Laney Hatcher

Author:Laney Hatcher [Hatcher, Laney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Smartypants Romance
Published: 2023-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

Twelve

I knew when I’d awoken that he’d be gone.

So much of that evening with Alexander had felt like a dream: running and laughing through a hedge maze at a masquerade, watching fireworks bursting overhead while safe in Alexander’s warm embrace, and then the surprise of him in my bedchamber and what we’d done after.

However, instead of languishing in his arms or sharing an early morning kiss, I’d woken to cold sheets, a short note, and the salty remnants of the tears I’d shed the night before. Tears of helplessness and frustration.

I’d clutched the note he’d left. Written on paper from my own desk, Alexander had provided instructions for another secret outing the following week. Not Covent Garden Market this time. But the National Gallery.

He’d signed the missive Yours, Alexander. And I’d stared at his slanted script and those two parting words for a very long time, thinking how desperately I wished they were true.

I did not know what was going to happen with Alexander, but I could not for the life of me see a happy outcome. My vision of the future seemed inevitable—me, with a broken heart. And yet I could not say that would derail me. If Alexander was serious about the time limit he wished to place on our relationship, I had just over two and a half months. Ten weeks of secret meetings.

I didn’t know how I felt about that. I preferred to live my life in the light—big and bold and entirely myself. But I knew Alexander was not in a position to be so daring. Additionally, I knew his concerns for my safety were founded in truth. I had the proof of the encounter with Blaidd reinforced by Miss Bellamy’s continued presence. Speaking of, I needed to mention that to Alexander. Perhaps he would explain who she was to him. Seeing her at the masquerade, so easily shifting between worlds, was jarring.

While I wanted to demand answers to all my questions, I knew Alexander was not ready for that. I truly believed he feared my reaction as much as any danger that might come to me as a result of knowing the truth of his past and present.

Several days had passed. I hadn’t responded to Alexander’s note just yet. I needed to consider the way forward. And today was Tuesday, so I would see my friends. The thought of confessing my relationship with Alexander flitted in and out of my head, before hovering uncomfortably. Perhaps…

I surrounded myself with intelligent, caring, intuitive women, and now Nicolas. Perhaps they would offer a solution or at the very least a helpful opinion. Mayhap one of them could envision a future for Alexander and myself—one that didn’t end in mutually assured destruction and resounding heartbreak for me.

Later that afternoon, I found myself at Randolph House—Jane and Quinton’s residence in Mayfair. My friends were chatting amiably and enthusiastically. The embroidery hoops were mostly tucked away while everyone nibbled and crunched their way through tea cakes and delicious little sandwiches.

I sipped my tea and fought the nervous worry that threatened.

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