Her words sent a chill over Lily’s spine. On the night Matthew had hurt her, she’d been so terrified, she didn’t want to see him ever again. But her mother was right—he had not been himself.
“He drank medicine that night,” Lily heard herself confess. “And I could tell from his expression that it affected him. His eyes were not right, and he appeared to be caught in a haze.”
Her mother nodded. “He lost himself, didn’t he?”
“He believed I was one of his torturers. He was trying to push me away, to free himself from the madness.” She let out a sigh. “Do not tell James,” she warned. “He would kill Matthew for this.”
“I will not.” Her mother gave a wry smile. “James believes I’m half-potted, and I’m not certain he’s wrong.”
“You have good days and bad days,” Lily admitted. “And I do not blame you for it. We manage as best we can.”
“I do miss your father,” Iris admitted. “It’s an empty hole inside of me. Without him, I feel like only a piece of myself.”
Her mother’s word resonated, mirroring the way Lily had felt when Matthew was gone. And now that he had returned, she didn’t know how to fill the emptiness.
“I miss him, too,” she admitted.
“And Matthew?” her mother prompted. “Do you miss him?”
Lily leaned back against the seat, lowering her shoulders. She didn’t want to think of Matthew anymore. Her heart was too broken, her spirits too confused. “I don’t know.”
She had tried to put it all behind her, but she could not stop her mind from wondering about him. It had not ended well between them.
As they passed through the town, the stench of rotting potatoes in the fields was unmistakable. She raised a handkerchief to her nose and realized that everything could be far worse than it was.
She had come to Ireland to celebrate the wedding of her sister to the man she loved. It was meant to be a time of joy, not sorrow. And for now, she would look to the future and put the past behind her.
Two weeks later
“Rose, you look beautiful,” Lily proclaimed. She hadn’t expected to feel this emotional at the sight of her sister wearing a wedding gown, but her eyes welled up at seeing Rose so happy. This was the sort of wedding she had wanted for herself and Matthew before the illusion had shattered.
Her arm had been healing until now it only felt tender. She’d claimed it was an accident from falling down the stairs. Everyone believed her, except for a small few who knew the truth.
Lily bent down and smoothed an invisible wrinkle from the ivory gown, hiding her tears. Her mother wore a bright purple gown, and a dreamy smile covered her face. It seemed that today she was lost in visions that made her happy. Perhaps she was remembering her own wedding day. As long as her mother did not become agitated with moments of madness, Lily believed all would be well.
Rose wore a long veil made of Irish lace, loaned to her by Iain’s mother Moira, Lady Ashton. The matron had been quiet and pensive ever since they had arrived. At first, Lady Ashton had been opposed to the marriage between her son and Rose. But ever since she had returned to Ashton, there had been a change in the woman. It might be because Rose had promised to help her daughters find husbands in London.
But more likely, Lily suspected that Moira had begun to regret her actions, accepting her future daughter-in-law. Even now, the woman stood back from them as if she didn’t feel that she had a place here. Something was troubling Moira, and she eyed Rose with uncertainty.
While her sister was occupied, Lily stepped closer to Lady Ashton. “Are you all right?” she murmured beneath her breath.
“Yes,” the woman answered. “It’s only that I never thought to see that veil worn again. I didn’t wear it during my second wedding.” Her expression held sadness.
“Was it lost?” Lily asked.
Moira shook her head. “I didn’t want to wear it, for it only reminded me of my first marriage. I suppose I knew the second marriage wouldn’t last long, for Garrick was older than me. I only married him to provide for the boys. He gave me two daughters, but he died soon after Colleen was born. They never knew him.” She let out a sigh and braved a smile again. “I am glad that Rose will wear the veil now. It may bring them happiness.”
Lily glanced outside the bedroom window and saw that the bridegroom was already walking outside the manor house, while hundreds of guests gathered. Rose and Iain had decided to hold the ceremony outside, so all the tenants could witness their union.
Rose joined her at the window and tension knotted her face at the sight of so many people. “Where did they all come from? And how will we feed them all?”
Her brother, James, moved to her side. “Leave that to me.” He explained to her about an investment he’d discovered, that Iris had made with Evangeline’s father. “Sinclair stepped in while I was away,” James continued. “He wanted to ensure that your family was provided for. I am grateful for his intervention.”
“And so am I.” Rose smiled, revealing her relief. Her mother reached out to touch her hair, and the soft smile on her face held clarity.
“It’s almost time for the wedding,” Lily interrupted. “James, Mother, we should go. Lady Ashton, they will want us outside.”
“I will join you in a moment,” the matron answered. Her expression held wariness, as if she were uncertain of whether to speak.
