Lily suspected that Moira was taking an opportunity to bridge the distance between herself and Rose. It boded well for their future, and she smiled to herself.
“May I have a moment first, before you go?” Rose asked the woman.
Lily understood the silent message to leave the pair alone, and she guided their mother outside the door. She took Iris’s arm, and her mother slowed her steps.
“One day it will be you taking vows,” Iris murmured.
“I think I am destined to be a spinster.” Lily tucked her mother’s hand into her arm, helping her down the stairs. “I shall give in to my urges to become a bluestocking and be wedded to books.” She had spent the past few weeks readingThe Pharmacopoeia of the Royal College of Physicians of London.Thus far, she had learned how to make extracts and compound powders, and the distraction had been exactly what she needed.
“Oh no, my dear.” Iris clucked her tongue. “You cannot possibly remain unmarried. It isn’t natural.” She was muttering something about sharing a man’s bed, and Lily cut her off.
“Let’s not speak of it, Mother.” The last thing she wanted was her mother’s advice on lovemaking. Her cheeks grew crimson at the thought. “We will go and enjoy Rose’s wedding day.”
But Iris stopped at the bottom of the stairs. “No, Lily, there was something I was meant to give to you. What was it now?”
She had no idea what her mother meant, but it would not be the first time Iris had been unable to remember. “Do not worry about it. We’ll go and join the wedding guests. James will be there.” Her brother had a way of calming their mother, perhaps because Iris felt protected.
But her mother shook her head. “He gave it to me. It’s very,veryimportant.” Her eyes filled with anxiety, and she began searching her gown for a pocket that wasn’t there.
“It’s nothing, Mother. I promise you.”
“No!” Iris stood her ground, her expression turning fiery. “Ihaveto remember this. I will not let myself forget. I promised him.”
“Promised who?”
Iris began clenching and unclenching her hands, growing more agitated. A tear rolled down her wrinkled cheek. “Why can’t I remember anything, Lily? What is wrong with me?”
“Could you have put it in your reticule?” she asked gently.
Iris opened it, but there was nothing inside. She gritted her teeth, and Lily feared that if her mother didn’t find it, she would cause a scene.
“What if I return to your room and search? Would that help?”
Her mother shook her head. “I didn’t leave it there. It was far too valuable.” She wiped away her tears, and it was then that Lily caught sight of a silver chain beneath her mother’s high-necked gown. Her pulse began to quicken, and she reached out to touch it. “Was it this?”
Iris pulled the chain out from her gown and brightened. “Why, yes. That’s it, exactly. He told me to show you this ring. He said it had once belonged to you. And that he was terribly sorry and wanted to speak with you.”
The moment she saw Matthew’s signet ring, Lily’s skin flushed with a blend of nervous energy. How had her mother received the ring? Had he traveled across England and Ireland to bringit to her? She could not imagine him making such a journey—especially not after all that had happened.
“Is he here?” Lily ventured.
Iris shrugged. “I cannot remember.” She took off the chain and put it around Lily’s neck. The gold ring was heavy, but the familiar weight brought back all the emotions she’d tried to forget. She tucked it beneath her bodice, not understanding the meaning of Matthew’s gift.
It was an apology she’d never imagined to receive, and she could not guess why he had given Iris the ring. Possibly to help her mother remember the message.
Lily walked with Iris outside into the morning sunlight. She searched among the wedding guests for a glimpse of Matthew. It was possible that he wasn’t here, that he had simply given her mother the ring before they’d even left for Ireland. But somehow, she didn’t believe that.
She guided Iris to stand beside her brother, and Lily stood on the opposite side of them. The people of Ireland were dressed in clothing hardly better than rags, and their faces were gaunt with hunger. But even so, she saw young boys fidgeting with excitement, while their mothers gripped their wrists in warning to behave. The delicious aroma of the wedding feast was a distraction for all of them, and more than once, the people glanced toward the long tables set up for the celebration after the wedding.
James looked far better than he had when he’d returned from India. His brown hair was still lighter from the burning sun, and his face had lost some of its tan. He had filled out from eating better food, and it did seem that he was recovering from his own ordeal.
There was a glint in his eyes, as if he knew something she didn’t. Lily leaned in, keeping her voice low. “Where is he?”
“Where is who?” Her brother stared straight ahead, but she could tell he was trying to keep something from her.
“You know who I mean. Where is Matthew?” She reached across her sling to touch his arm.
“I suppose he is among the guests. Hewasinvited to the wedding, after all.” Her brother scrutinized her face.
