“Good heavens, Edward. You startled me.”
He chuckled, the sound low. “I apologize. I didn’t realize you’d completely forgotten I was here.”
She pressed her lips together, fighting a smile. “I’m afraid I did. I am so used to facing my family alone.”
“It is fine. I’m not offended. Impressed, actually. As you were.” He winked at her, then stepped back to allow her to enter the room. But before she made a move to continue, he spoke again. “Actually, if you do not need me, as you do not seem to, I have some business I would like to see to while we are here. But if you wish me to hunt down your sister with you, I am more than happy to oblige.”
Amelia bit her lip, considering. She rather wanted Edward to stay but recognized she did not need him. That fact was bolstering—and slightly heady—and motivated her to smile and say, “You may handle your business. I think the ensuing conversation with my sister must be held alone.”
He hesitated. “You are sure?”
“Completely.”
“Very well. I will not be long.” He pressed a brief kiss to her forehead, then disappeared down the corridor.
Before she could lose her courage, she pushed the door open.
Rows of shelves, several large chairs and couches, a handful of lit lamps. But that was all.
The room was empty.
It was as if all the air had whooshed out of her in a breath.
This was silly, to think she could have a conversation with her family in the midst of this massive crush. If she hurried, she could catch Edward before he got too far, and they could return in the morning.
“Mellie, I am surprised you would dare show your face here again.”
Edith stepped through the door, Miss Brooks close behind.
Amelia straightened. Well. It would seem there would be no retreat tonight. “And why is that, Edith? Because of the rumors you and Miss Brooks have spread?”
Edith tittered. “Oh dear, now you have resorted to baseless accusations?”
Amelia’s resolve hardened. “I think we all know they are not baseless. And I will haveyouknow that I intend to speak with Papa.”
Her sister’s laughing ceased abruptly. “He won’t believe a word you say. He’s already written you off as a failure. I imagine he has no desire to speak to you ever again.”
Amelia felt the familiar hopelessness she had lately begun to associate with the long-ingrained belief that her family found her worthless. But she pushed the clawing sensation back and looked Edith in the eyes. Her steady stare against Edith’s withering one.
“Why, Edith? That is all I wish to know.”
Edith and Miss Brooks shared a glance. “I have already told you your accusations are baseless.”
Amelia fought the urge to scream. This was pointless. Why had she thought she needed to confront her sister before leaving with Edward? She could settle things with Papa when the gossip had quieted. And she still had a relationship with Henrietta. She ought to be happy with—
A piece of the puzzle fell into place. Something Henrietta said.
“You received letters for me today,” Amelia said, slowly, her gaze focused on Edith but still taking in Miss Brooks’s narrowed eyes through her peripherals.
“Yes,” Edith said as if bored. “Horrible letters, those.”
“Except you didnotreceive any correspondence for me.”
Edith shook her head with a smile that hardly resembled a smile at all. “You could not possibly know what correspondence I did or did not receive.”
“Oh, but I can, for Henrietta told me that no letters came for me today. And you and she spent the whole of the day together. Save for five minutes.”
“Perhaps the letters came in those five minutes, then.” Edith still stared Amelia down, but something flashed beneath her gaze. A hint of discomposure. Of uncertainty.
