If only she could be allowed just for once to be herself and to be an individual, who was not just a shadow in her sister’s life, she was sure that she could enjoy herself.
Then almost as if the sun was shining through the window or the lights all suddenly came on at once, she remembered that she was going to travel across the world to an exotic land.
And she would be accompanying, whether he was aware of it or not, the Earl of Royston.
*
The following day Heloise, when she awoke, was all smiles.
It was not difficult for Lydia to know that the Earl had been charming and very apologetic for being so neglectful.
“He said that he had thought that I was going to be in London until yesterday,” Heloise said, “and, as he was going away so soon, he had planned every minute of his time and wo
