“Please, don’t make this harder than it has to be, Amelia.”
“But we can make it work!” Amelia blurted out. "In a week or so, I will receive my inheritance from Papa, which will provide enough for us to live comfortably until we can find a more permanent solution."
Dorothy didn’t immediately reply, simply shaking her head with hopelessness shrouding her expression. And Amelia couldn’t blame her, for if she had to live under similar circumstances, she would grow to despise hope too. But just as suddenly, Dorothy’s brows knit together. "Your inheritance?" she asked, puzzled. "But how? You are not yet married. And Father's will explicitly states—"
The mere mention of ‘marriage’ triggered a flood of emotions and memories in Amelia. The way Gideon’s hazel eyes burned into hers, the warmth of his touch, and the passion that had once flared between them. A pang of sorrow hit her as she tried to regain her composure. They were memories she needed to forget if she wished to survive and protect her sister.
"Amelia… what are you keeping from me?"
"Nothing," Amelia shook her head, quickly blinking back tears. "It's just... complicated. But I promise, everything will work out. I'll explain it all once we're far away from this place. For now, let's focus on getting you out of here."
A tense silence filled the room for a moment, with Dorothy not agreeing to the plan. However, unlike before, she did not outright reject Amelia’s pleas either.
“Please, agree, just this one time,” Amelia fell to her knees by Dorothy, grasping her sister’s hands.
After a brief pause, Dorothy gave a nod and embraced her sister. “All right… I’ll come with you. We can leave—but if we are caught, I will tell the Earl it was my idea alone, understood?”
Amelia nodded quickly.
“Follow me. And be silent, he has eyes and ears all around this place. I only trust Lottie.” Dorothy went to the door and opened it quietly, before looking about and then gesturing for Amelia to follow. She led her upstairs to a shared bedchamber that Amelia presumed belonged to herself and the Earl. After ushering Amelia in, Dorothy quickly stepped in herself, casting a final, cautious look down the corridor to ensure they were not followed.
Once inside, Dorothy knelt by the bed and pulled out a sizable trunk. It seemed some dresses and gowns had already been packed for the move, and the sisters began hurriedly stuffing the rest of the suitcase with anything and everything of consequence, from muslin gowns to satin slippers.
A knock at the door stopped both of them dead in their tracks. In part fear and part foolish courage, Amelia instinctively moved in front of her sister, prepared to protect her at all costs.
"Who’s there?" Dorothy called out hesitantly, her voice wavering slightly.
The door slowly creaked open to reveal Lottie, Dorothy's timid maid. Amelia let out an audible breath. The maid glanced around the room, taking in the sight of the trunk and strewn clothing. "My—my lady. I... I heard your urgency, and I want to help," she murmured nervously.
"Thank you, Lottie, but I cannot let you get involved," Dorothy insisted, her face etched with concern for the young maid. "You've already taken enough risks for my sake."
"But, my lady—"
"Please, Lottie. I can't bear the thought of you getting into trouble again because of me,” Dorothy said. “The best way you can help is by letting us know when the Earl returns.”
“Yes, yes, of course I can do that.” Lottie nodded, albeit hesitantly, before slipping out and shutting the door behind her.
After what felt like an eternity, the sisters finally finished packing. Amelia stretched her back, wincing at the stiffness that had settled in her muscles. But there was no time for rest; they had a narrow window of opportunity before the Earl returned.
"Are you ready?" Amelia chimed, locking eyes with Dorothy.
"I hope you know what you’re getting us into, dear sister," Dorothy replied, a determined glint shining through her fear.
A sudden rap at the door, sharp and unexpected, jolted the sisters once more. Dorothy tensed up, then called out, "Lottie, I told you we—"
“Dorothy?” a deep voice bellowed from the other side. “Why is the door locked?”
Dorothy shot to her feet. “He’s here,” she whispered fearfully.
The banging continued and the door handle shook. Amelia took a bold step in front of Dorothy even though fear trembled through her as well. She couldn’t believe that Dorothy had been living with someone like this.
“Open the door, Dorothy! I thought I told you no visitors.”
“Is there any other way out of this room?” Amelia whispered to her sister. Dorothy shook her head, mute. Panic began to settle over the room.
Suddenly, the banging stopped. Amelia held her breath, inching closer to her sister as if she would be able to protect her from anything to come. Silence stretched into the seconds—and then there was another bang before the door handle clattered to the floor and the door swung open.
CHAPTER 30
