“You’ve always been second to none.” He turned to face her. “And I’ve always been jealous of my little sister’s talent. I’ve finally grown up enough to admit it.”
“I’vealways been jealous,” she admitted. “You got everything I ever wanted, and you didn’t even have to try.”
“Didn’t have totry?” He let out a choking laugh. “I barely saw my own bedchamber, from spending every hour of every day in the shop, hunched over the work bench, trying again and again to halfway execute techniques that came to you naturally.”
“Then why did Father bequeath the shop to you instead of me?” Her nails dug into her palms. “Why didn’t he leave it to both of us equally?”
“Because we’re not equal, Angel.” Luther gave a soft chuckle. “Father saw that I put in the time, that I would dedicate my life to the shop if need be. And he saw you were meant for greater things.”
Her throat tightened. “But you... You were so dreadful about me moving to Cressmouth...”
“I envied you.” His eyes held hers. “But the real reason I didn’t want you to go was because you’re my sister. I was afraid if you left, I’d never get you back. That you’d be lost to me forever.”
Her eyes pricked with heat.
“I’m not lost, big brother.” She stepped closer. “I’m right here.”
He wrapped her in a tight embrace. “Do you forgive an old fool?”
“Do you forgive a younger and prettier one?” she mumbled into his lapel.
Luther laughed and let her go. “I did improve, you know. You should see the shop now. This spring, I may have to employ even more nieces and nephews.”
“That’s wonderful.” A lightness filled her. “And Iwillbe able to see it. As of today, I’m free to go where I please.”
He stepped back in surprise. “You’d leave Cressmouth?”
“Only for a holiday,” she admitted. “The first one I’ll take will be to come and see you.”
He cocked a brow. “Will you be arriving on the arm of a certain Scotsman?”
Her joy dimmed.
“No.” She pulled her muffler off the rack and wrapped it about her head and neck methodically. “I wouldn’t depend on that.”
Her brother frowned. “Did something happen?”
She shoved her arms into the sleeves of her pelisse. “He wanted me to give up everything I care about or worked hard for, to go traveling from town to town with him. To have no home or shop or family or stability.”
“And he became enraged when you pointed out that was the last thing you’d ever want to do?” Luther guessed.
“Not at all.” She fastened her buttons. “He said it was no problem for me to stay here. He’d visit me every Christmas, just like you do.”
Luther narrowed his eyes. “Should I punch him?”
“You should not punch him.” She looped her arm through her brother’s. “You won’t see him again, anyway. He never returns to the same place twice.”
“But you said hewouldhave. For you.” Luther pushed open the door. “What did he say when you proposed a more reasonable compromise?”
The icy wind smacked Angelica in the face.
“Er,” she said.
Hadshe proposed a reasonable compromise? Or had her anger and hurt feelings caused her to turn him away, without even attempting to fight for the love blossoming between them?
“I see,” Luther said. “Well, I’m certain you know best.”
“I really don’t,” she mumbled. “I’m a disaster.”
