As Letitia walked through the hall, she paused and looked around, seeing the increasing signs of restoration, and the decreasing amounts of rot.
“It’s impressive, isn’t it?” Edmund strolled up and put his arm around her shoulders. “How much of the original building was here and we never knew it.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Every now and again I’m struck by it. It’s become new, but the same.” She sighed. “I’m not making much sense.”
She felt him shake his head. “No, I understand.” He glanced at his study door. “I used to dread walking through this hall to that room.Hewas there. And I dreaded the fights that were to come, the hard words, the hopes and expectations I always had that were always dashed.”
“Yes,” she agreed, her voice sombre.
“But now, when I walk toward that door, there are no shadows any more. As if by cleaning and painting the hall, we have banished more than just dirt and grime. His ugliness is being washed away from this building as we make more and more improvements, Letty.” He leaned his cheek on her head for a moment. “Just as I think the damage he did to us is being washed away as well.”
“It’s a nice thought, Edmund,” she answered.
“More than a thought, my dear. And of course, Rosaline is a major part of it.”
She nodded, feeling the texture of his woollen jacket against her cheek. “You are very lucky to have found her. And now with little Hugh, there’s a new life at Ridlington, one untouched by the past and with only the very best future to look forward to.”
Edmund hugged her. “If I’m any judge of such matters, I believe Simon and Tabby will give you another niece or nephew in the not too distant future.”
“That would be lovely.”
“Letty…” he paused as if thinking, “I worry that your turn has yet to come. And if it does, you might refuse to see it because of how you still see yourself.”
She moved away from him a little and he dropped his arm. “No need, Edmund. Really. I am happy here. I enjoy what I do, and I love my growing family.”
“I know you, little sister. And I know how well you conceal your true emotions. I’ve never known what they are, I just know you’re hiding them. Just as right now, I know you’ve something important on your mind. It’s in your eyes when you stare from the window.”
“I could just be cursing this damned weather,” she chuckled.
He laughed as well. “You could be. But you’re not.” He turned to her and put a finger under her chin, making her look up and into his face. “I believe James has something to do with those secrets, Letitia.”
She started to deny that, but he hushed her with a shake of his head.
“I just want to say this. I think James FitzArden is an honourable man, who I am proud to call friend. I would be even prouder to call him brother, should matters between the two of you develop to that point. Is that clear?”
Letitia was caught off-guard by Edmund’s statement. “He’s spoken to you, hasn’t he?” She blurted out the first thing that came into her mind.
Edmund grinned. “Gentlemen never speak of such matters to ladies, dear sister. But just know that he would be welcomed into our family without hesitation. All right?”
She nodded. “All right, Edmund. Thank you for telling me.”
“You’re my sister. You deserve the very best in life.”
She smiled, her control back in place. “I have you for a brother. What more could I want?”
He laughed. “Charmer. I must work. We’ll meet at lunch.”
He strolled off to his study, leaving Letitia torn between her affection for his care and loving attentions, and absolute fury that James had apparently asked Edmund for her hand without telling her anything about it.
It was, perhaps, not the most propitious moment to see Harriet come into the hall, smiling from ear to ear.
“Miss Letitia, I just heard…” She hurried over. “Sir James is back. He arrived last night.”
Letitia’s jaw clenched hard for a moment. Then she smiled. “Is he now. Well how delightful. How delightful indeed.”
She spun on her heel and stalked upstairs, leaving Harriet standing alone in the hall with a slightly mystified expression on her face.
