It quite surprised her that she no longer felt pain upon mounting her mare despite the intense lovemaking the night before. And intense it was. The thought of it made her flush and heat all over. Geoffrey was a wonderful lover. And he had been right, she would not have wanted to go to her grave without the experiences he had been sharing with her. The only remaining question she had—could she stand by and watch him wed another? Would her heart bear it? Or, should she compromise and marry him even if he did not love her? Any other woman would and would count herself lucky. She had no answer so she tried to clear her mind and enjoy the ride to town. She arrived at the seamstress’s shop, one Mrs. Flount, before the others. As usual, the seamstress was only too happy to see her. “Oh, my lady,” Mrs. Flount effused, “it has been an age since you were here. I was so afraid my last dresses for you had not pleased you.”
