“Can I have a moment of your time before we join the others?”
Grace, true to her nature, didn’t question his need to speak with his sister and moved on with the others as she listened to Prudence’s lively chatter. Emma, however, appraised him in that silent way that let him know she was sizing up the situation before one word could be uttered.
He gestured to the sitting room, and she led the way.
Inside, he took up a seat next to her on the sofa and gathered one of her hands in his.
“You heard it all, didn’t you?”
Emma ducked her head. “Gibbons told me what you were doing, and I came to ask if I could help you in any way. Oh, Alan, I hope you know that Papa was proud of you and he didn’t blame you at all for how things turned out. And though I cannot speak for the Smiths, I know they don’t hold you responsible for their son’s death. That blame lays securely with the men who killed him.”
Alan patted her hand, his gaze unfocused as he took in her words. “I am coming around to it, but it weighs on the mind that I am able to enjoy life and they are not. However, Gracereminded me that they would not want me to squander the days I’ve been blessed to live.”
“She’s a wise woman,” Emma said with a smile.
“Interesting. She said the same of you.”
“I know. I heard.”
Alan chuckled. “And how will you feel finally having a sister?”
Emma cupped her other hand around his. “I think you have chosen well. Her brother is already dear to my husband, and by extension me, so this simply completes our joy.”
“And shall we survive the chaos of growing our families much larger than either of us is used to?”
She laughed. “It will be a nice change from this silent tomb.”
Her eyes took in the room. Engalworth, for all its echoing in the court, had been very still as they’d grown up with only the two of them to fill its halls with laughter.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “There shall be many Christmases together for our children to make us wish again for the silence of past years.”
With a laugh, she rose to her feet. “We should probably join the others. Best not to keep the future groom from his celebrations.”
He could not argue there.
When they entered the court, joyous chatter rang out from the drawing room. It really was a nice change, and he looked forward to many more Christmases spent in the company of family.
“And it’s all thanks to Lady Hamdon,” Mr. Lenning said as they joined everyone in the drawing room.
Grace’s eyes widened as her gaze directly went to him. He narrowed his eyes at her brother. What was Mr. Lenning talking about?
Mr. Lenning continued. “If it hadn’t been for her, we’d not have been here for this incredible union to blossom.”
“She has quite the dab hand at getting her way,” Hamdon said. “I’ve learned it is better not to fight against it. She will bring us all around to her way of thinking sooner or later.”
Alan cast Emma a flat stare.
She smirked and shrugged her shoulders.
Poor Grace. He would have to apologize for his sister’s meddling, but before he could say anything, the room went silent, the others noticing their presence. Guilt covered every face… including Grace’s.
“You knew about this?” He clasped his hands behind his back.
She wrapped her arms about her middle. “Only because Prudence is terrible about eavesdroppingandkeeping secrets.”
“Hey,” Miss Prudence protested. “At least I didn’t go behind your back like Bradley.”
Grace looked at him, regret in her eyes.
