More’s the pity.
It was as if opening her heart fully to Ethan had lifted the floodgates, allowing love and belonging to pour in.
Allie sat back on her heels, tears blurring her vision.
And in that moment, she knew . . .
She didn’t want to be Kendall’s adversary or tormentor any longer.
No.
Hating him was exhausting.
She wanted to forgive him for his betrayal and kidnapping. For the wrongs he had committed over the past eight months.
More to the point, she wanted to be his twin—his sister, his friend—again.
They had been born together—Allie and Tristan, Tristan and Allie.
Theybelonged, as Ethan had intuited.
Why had she automatically conceded that their sire had irrevocably changed Tristan? That he had irreparably molded and morphed the loving boy she had known into this cold, austere man?
That boy had to be inside him somewhere. She caught glimpses of him from time to time.
Allie vowed that she would find that Tristan, free him, and force him back into the light of their belonging. Kicking and screaming, if necessary.
Tristan thought she had been vexing up to this point?
That would be nothing when compared to her fight for his soul.
And then, once he remembered his brotherly love for her . . .
He was going to escort her down the wedding aisle to marry Ethan Penn-Leith.
23
Ethan guided his horse up the lane to Thistle Muir, so very soul-heavy and weary he sagged in the saddle.
He hadn’t slept in over thirty-six hours, and all of him—body, thoughts, heart—felt sluggish and dispirited. He stared sightlessly at the sun where it hung low in the sky and painted the clouds in brilliant shades of pink and lavender.
He had not spoken to Allie after Fabrizio fired the gun and injured Kendall’s shoulder. Understandably, she had been distraught by Kendall’s wound and refused to leave her twin’s side.
For his part, Ethan had joined Hadley in detaining Fabrizio. And then, once the sheriff and procurator fiscal arrived, he had recounted the events of the afternoon and answered questions.
But now, returning home, Ethan had to wonder when, or even if, he would see Allie again.
Kendall had intended to return to London tomorrow. But would his wound permit a departure? The duke’s injury hadn’t seemed too serious once the bleeding had been staunched. And if Allie did leave with her brother, what would she decide regarding Charswood?
Matters between Ethan and hisladrawere anything but settled. And likely to remain so if Kendall had any say in the matter.
Ethan rounded the final curve to Thistle Muir.
His heart sank.
Bloody hell.
His day had only needed this.
