Colin laughed. “I never said I was lonely.”
The duke simply shrugged.
In truth, Colin hadn’t been lonely prior to meeting Meredith, but if he lost her, she would leave an immense hole in his existence that no one else could ever fill.
“You know why I chose you, Blackwood.” The duke smiled and his words came back to Colin.You are a man of honor. “Now go convince that sweet young lady that she didn’t make a mistake by falling in love with you.”
“She is walking in the garden with my wife,” Beckford said. “I will summon a footman to show you the way.”
“No.” Colin was already at the door. “I will find her.” He didn’t want a footman slowing down his pursuit.
Meredithand her sister picked their way across the uneven field around Danby Castle. Long blades of grass brushed against Meredith’s calves, causing them to itch. In the purpling sky, the fields were more vibrant. The white of the wild flowers shone like beacons and the hills were blanketed in emerald. In the far distance, a flash lit the sky in shades of coral.
“This is silly,” she said over her shoulder to Felicity, who had fallen behind. “We are going to be caught in the rain.”
Meredith spun around to head back toward the castle and discovered Felicity bent forward with her hands braced on her knees. Her cheeks boasted a bright pink flush, and she was exhaling through pursed lips.
“I—do not—mind the—rain.” Meredith’s sister could barely speak for all the effort she’d expended trying to keep up. It had been madness to wander this far from the castle. The massive stone structure was still within sight, but it appeared considerably smaller at this distance.
“Well, perhapsImind.” Meredith linked arms with Felicity to draw her back toward the castle. “Julian told us to stay in the gardens. I shouldn’t have allowed you to venture this far with me.”
“Julian worries—too much.”
Meredith didn’t like how breathless her sister sounded. She shouldn’t have allowed Felicity to convince her a walk in the pasture might clear her mind. What had become clear was her sister had had a hidden motive when she’d suggested it. She wanted Meredith to confide in her about her troubles that afternoon, and Meredith understood and appreciated her sister’s desire to comfort her.
She and Felicity shared a unique bond that had formed right after their father died. When they’d felt lost in those first few weeks, they had held each other’s hands in the dark. As Meredith would drift to sleep, Felicity would whisper,Don’t be afraid, Meri. I will keep you safe.
Meredith believed uttering those words had comforted Felicity too, for there was security to be found in being needed. She wanted to unburden her heart to her older sister now, but she couldn’t sort through all the jumbled and contradictory feelings she held inside of her. It was easier to express anger over the plotting that had gone on behind her back than admit she had fallen in love with an unworthy man.
They stopped walking to allow Felicity another moment of rest. Meredith pushed a loose strand of her sister’s brunette hair behind her sister’s ear. Felicity had grown pale all of a sudden.
“I believe Julian’s worries are justified,” Meredith said. “You are not feeling well.”
“I am fine.” Her sister’s smile seemed strained, but her eyes shone with compassion and affection. “But I am worried about you. I wish you would tell me everything that happened at Blackwood Castle today.”
Meredith’s chin quivered as she tried to suppress her emotions. Felicity had enough to worry about with her young son and a new baby on the way. Still, the temptation to lighten Meredith’s own load was strong.
“I think I might love him,” she admitted.
“Oh, Meri.” Her sister hugged her as best as she could with her pregnant belly between them. “I knew there was something more you were not saying. Does he love you, too?”
“No.” She kissed her sister’s cheek and gave her a quick squeeze in return before pulling back with a sad smile. “I will sort everything out on my own, but thank you for being here for me.”
“I am your sister. Where else would I be?” Felicity looped her arm with Meredith’s, and they resumed the walk to the castle. They hadn’t gone far when Felicity gasped. Her eyes flew open wide, and she looked up at Meredith in alarm.
“What is it?” Meredith asked with a thread of anxiety woven through her voice. “Is the baby kicking again?”
Her sister shook her head. “I need you to remain calm. Will you do that for me?”
Meredith’s anxiety blossomed. “Y-yes.”
“My water just broke.”
“Oh, dear Lord!” This seemed like an appropriate moment to panic. “What should I do? Do I run for help or stay with you?”
“Help me back to the castle,” Felicity said, trying to sound calm, but Meredith could see worry lines on her forehead. “And we should hurry.”
Felicity thought they weren’t going to make it back in time. Without hesitation, Meredith draped her sister’s arm around her neck to support her weight. “You are not having this baby in afield. Do you hear me?”
