“Now we’ll have the rest of the story,” Josie said, ignoring the tears rolling down Willa's cheeks.
“Not right now,” Willa said, wiping her tears with her sleeve.
Georgie presented a handkerchief, and Willa wiped her nose.
“How soon must the wedding be?” Luna asked.
The three of them walked forward in unison, and Willa backed up until her calves hit her bed and she sat.
“We were careful,” she confessed, “and it was only just the night before last.”
“Do you love him?” Luna asked. “I know you’ve been friends these past two years, but friendship doesn’t equate lasting love.” Luna sat beside her on the bed and put her arm around her.
“I do. I will admit it, but before the accident, Wesley didn't love me, and I didn't love him this way.”
“That could be a problem if he remembers,” Luna said.
“That's my greatest fear,” Willa said.
“What about the scandal?” Josie added.
Georgie scoffed. “Who cares about a scandal? She is the last of us, and our children will outgrow it by the time they debut.”
Josie shrugged. “Georgie’s right, in a way, but if you wish to remain in town, you should worry a little about the scandal. But if you marry and the story comes to light, then Lord Knightly becomes the hero who rescued his soon-to-be betrothed. That's quite a romantic spin on the story.
“None of those things matter,” Willa said. “I have fallen in love with someone who might just as quickly fall out of love with me. What do I do?”
“Frankly,” Josie said, “I always thought he was a little sweet on you.”
“What?” Willa scoffed. “No. He's one of my dearest friends, that's all. He's never…said anything or done anything. We don't even talk about marriage.”
Josie sighed. “I hate to be the one to say this. You know how I feel about forced marriages and whatnot. And if you give me any reason at all why you should not marry him, I will support you. I reallyloathehaving to say this. You’ve been intimate. You spent several days alone together. You ought to marry him.”
Willa covered her face. Her heart pounded. She didn’t know what to say. She could feel the stares of her sisters as powerful as a light house beacon.
“Give me a reason why you shouldn't marry him,” Josie pressed.
“What if he doesn't love me in return?”
“How could he not love you?” Josie asked. “You are infinitely lovable.”
Willa rolled her eyes. “You’re my sister. You have to say that.”
“That's not true at all. It’s fact, and you know how I love facts,” Josie returned.
At that, Willa smiled.
“He loves you, doesn't he?” Luna broke in.
“He loves her right now,” Josie said. “But once his memory returns, he may not.”
Georgie rolled her eyes. “But he will remember the intimacies you shared, and I predict he was half in love with you already. This little adventure the two of you shared only added kindling to the embers that were already there, and now it's a full-fledged fire. Congratulations, Willa, you are now betrothed.”
Willa covered her face with her hands, her cheeks burning. Someone tapped on the door, and Josie went to answer it.
Patrick entered. “Edmund wants to know if you want a proper tray of food for your room.”
“No, thank you,” Willa said.
