“I may very well do so if you leave just now.” He was entirely serious.
Amelia clearly did not take him at his word. “I’ve no intention of going anywhere, but do you mind if she joins us? For a moment?”
“Only if you move to the couch so I may sit beside you.”
Amelia grinned at him, and pressed a kiss to his lips, not nearly long enough, then stood. He came reluctantly to his feet and followed her to the settee, silently praying Lady Henrietta would suddenly remember an urgent appointment and leave.
Or allow Edward to leave. With Amelia.
“Henrietta? Come in,” Amelia called once they were seated.
Her sister flew through the door in a flurry of skirts, tears, and a blowing handkerchief dabbing at her cheeks. “Amelia! Oh, Amelia, do say you’ll forgive me? What a horrible sister I was—am! I wished to return to you almost the moment I left, but I was too much a coward and when I finally asked Sir Frederick to leave the set with me, you were gone! And I—the most terrible sister in the world—had left you alone. All alone. Amelia, I am so very, very sorry!”
“Henrietta, I am fine, really.” Amelia stood, punctuating her words. Edward had already been standing from when Lady Henrietta entered, but now he placed a gentle hand to the small of Amelia’s back. The ball, and all of its conflict, felt so far away now, but it had hardly been an hour since they’d each left.
“And that terrible, terrible Miss Brooks! It was all her, you must know! And Edith! When I could not find you, I discovered them in the library, congratulating themselves.” The disgust on Lady Henrietta’s tear-streaked face mimicked the emotion Edward himself felt.
“I know, Henrietta, or at least, I assumed as much.”
“Miss Brooks? What part does she play in all of this?” Edward demanded.
“She sent me a letter, multiple letters I think, masquerading as various women of... your acquaintance, Edward.” Amelia’s lips pressed into a thin line, and Edward thought he was beginning to understand.
“The letters from this morning?” he asked.
“Yes. And this afternoon. And this evening.”
Edward cursed.
Lady Henrietta’s sobs subsided, but tears continued to run down her face. She looked so unlike her twin in that moment, with pure anguish written across her face. “And I was unaware of all of it. I am a complete imbecile, Amelia. I did not see any of this happening around me, and I am so very, very sorry.”
“Please, Henrietta. I always knew Miss Brooks was a snake. I simply did not know how far she was willing to go to lower me.”
Edward’s hand slipped from her back and around her waist, pulling her in close. Lady Henrietta noticed the action, and her eyes lit up, darting between the two of them even while they sparkled with unshed tears.
“I never encouraged Miss Brooks’s actions, Amelia,” Edward murmured, needing to be sure she knew.
She turned her face up toward him. “I know. I’m sorry for doubting.”
His response was to tighten his arm around her again.
“Amelia, I truly am sorry. I acted terribly, and I understand if you—”
“All is forgiven, Henrietta.”
Edward felt a rush of love for this strong, forgiving,wonderfulwife of his.
Lady Henrietta’s eyes filled with tears again. “Sir Frederick said you would forgive me, but I didn’t think it was possible.”
“Sir Frederick is a good man, Henrietta. I take it all is well? Even after tonight’s events?” Amelia was kind to ask, but Edward really wished she would send her sister on her way.
Lady Henrietta blushed and smiled. “All is perfect. He told me that he would still wish to marry me even if my entire name were shrouded in layers of scandal.” She giggled. “He even offered to run off to Gretna Green tonight if I would have him.” Her mirth turned to solemnity. “I cannot believe I was so misguided to think I had to be perfect to earn his love. And I cannot believe I allowed that belief to keep me from helping my own dear sister when she needed it. You are certain you forgive me?”
“I am glad, and of course I forgive you. But, er, Henrietta?”
“Yes?” Lady Henrietta appeared to have become lost in some lovesick trance at the mention of her baronet.
“I am very happy to see you and very appreciative of your apology, but do you mind terribly if we continue this conversation at a later date?”
