How could she describe what he’d done? Not just the forbidden kiss, but the way he’d thrust a knife into her sister’s heart by betraying Markham’s secret? “He behaved badly.” She chewed her lip. “Then again, I don’t think he was himself at the time.”
“Ah.” Lily tied off her thread. “But you’ve forgiven him, and all is well?”
Had she forgiven him?
Odd thing was, she’d never blamed Rayne for being angry. Still, she shivered as she thought of the way Katherine had held her stomach and gazed in shocked horror at her brother after Rayne had described how Markham had wagered—and lost—Katherine’s hand in marriage.
Me—you lostmeto Bromton?
Up until that moment, Julia and Katherine had both believed Bromton had come to Southford out of a sincere wish to court Katherine. Then again, Julia hadn’t quite trusted Bromton, and Katherine was far too clever to have been completely deceived. Anyway, Bromton’s explanation must have satisfied Katherine in the end, else they wouldn’t be wedded and—still—besotted.
Then—and now—Julia sensed there was more to Rayne’s fury than she understood. Thinking back, Rayne’s hurtful actions had been aimed—indirectly—at Bromton. But why? Yes, Bromton had broken with Rayne’s sister. But even then Clarissa had been far from brokenhearted, and she was now happily wed.
She considered the way Rayne and Bromton had interacted at Markham and Clarissa’s wedding breakfast. The two men—acquainted since childhood—had gazed warily at each other like brothers on either side of a court of law, both bewildered as to how they’d landed on opposite sides of a public spectacle yet having no idea how to bridge the deep divide.
Yes—she nodded to herself—she was certain she had yet to learn the true source of the anger that had driven Rayne. Even if she found out, all Rayne hadreallydone was tell the truth.
She’d take painful honesty over deception and delusion any day. He could have been more tactful, of course. But she wasn’t exactly the soul of discretion, was she?
She only wished he’d face the truth that lay between them with equal resolution.
“Did he propose right after you met?” Lily asked.
“No.” He hadn’t proposed at all. Again, the quiet, inneryet. “I confused him. I think.”
“That’s men, now, isn’t it? They chase, and they chase, and they chase…but heaven forbid they actually catch.”
Julia chuckled. “Sounds about right.”
She found the bedgown at the bottom of the hamper—a simple brown linen garment made to wrap over a petticoat and be tied on the side. The only flaw she could see was a small burn on the arm.
“Oh! You found it.”
“But should I take it? What if the owner returns?”
“She won’t. The dress belonged to Sally Wilkens—she was the village blacksmith before she married the local barrister.” Lily shrugged. “All fancy now, not that I blame her. Good choice for you, anyway—you’ll be able to adjust the size as you increase.”
Increase?
Ah yes. The nonexistent babe.
So much for truth.
“Oh, pardon, please,” Lily added quickly. “I didn’t mean to make you blush. Don’t go thinking I hold your mistake against you.” She smiled shyly. “If I had your man, I’d have done just about anything he asked, too. Glad he’s doing right by you, though.”
Julia cocked her head.WouldRayne do right by her? If she were with child, would he change his plans? Would he marry her and take care of her and her child?
He absolutely would.
After everything he’d done for her since she’d fallen ill, she hadn’t a doubt.
But will he change his plans for me?
“Just think,” Lily sighed, “in no more than two days’ time you’ll be a missus. I’m absolutely green. And—ooh!” She clapped. “I have just the thing. I pushed it to the bottom, thinking I might keep it for myself. But you should have something special for your wedding night.”
Lily plunged her arm into the basket. She dug around for a moment before lifting out a flash of white linen.
“Why, it’s so pretty!” Julia exclaimed, examining the tiny green vines decorating the bodice. “I can’t imagine anyone leaving behind something so lovingly made.”
