Penny jerked her head up to face her—though not quite. “You found it!”
“Yes, it had fallen behind your washstand.” Though she wanted to say more, to indict, to convict, instead she kept her tongue still. Accusing the girl wouldn’t be nearly as valuable a lesson as Penny admitting to the theft herself.
Penny’s arm snaked out of the thick blanket, offering back the brooch. “I only meant to examine it for a bit. No one was around for me to ask permission, and I figured since I was part of the crew—or so Professor Webb had said—that it wouldn’t be an offense. When I went to return it, I tried to say as much to the professor, but he was very short with me that day. I wanted him to take me to the field, you see, but he wouldn’t, so I ... I brought the brooch back to my room, thinking to spite him—and you. I know it was very wicked of me, and I was going to put it back the next day, but then I couldn’t find it. I am sorry.” Penny’s head dipped with remorse.
Eva sighed and pulled her sister in for a sideways hug. “I accept your apology, but you will have to make amends with Professor Webb yourself.”
“I will. I promise I’ll make things right.” Penny nuzzledagainst her for a beat, then lifted her face. “But there’s something I want you to promise as well.”
“And what is it?”
“That you’ll not miss me overmuch when I’m gone to that school in London.”
Despite the gravity of the girl’s tone and furrowed brow, Eva chuckled lightly. “Just because you have decided to go does not mean I give you permission to do so.”
“But that’s exactly why you must. Don’t you see?” Penny rose, facing her, the counterpane rustling a scattering of old leaves over the ground. “You cannot always be in charge of me. I want to be my own person. I want to learn to live in this world, even though I’m blind. They can teach me such things at that school. Mrs. Mortimer said so.”
“I admit I have been a bit overprotective at times, but it is only because I love you so much.” Tears welled, tightening her throat. All the work, doubt, and fears of the past year closed in on her. “I have tried to do my best for you since Papa died, it is just...” She choked. “I would prefer if we could wait another year or two.”
“And where will the money come from then?”
“How did you know—”
Penny must’ve heard the crackle of emotion in her voice, for the girl’s face immediately softened. She reached out her slim hand, searching for Eva’s cheek, and once found, she pressed her palm against it. “I may be blind, but I can see what’s been happening. I notice the same old soup and bread for dinner and that you’ve not gotten a new gown for over a year. Mother’s desk is gone, as is a lot of the furniture that once filled the house. We are barely getting by, are we not?”
Eva sighed. She should’ve known Penny would note such things. “The budget is not your concern. I promised Father I would look after you, and I shall, so there’s no need to fuss.”
“I’m not fussing. I’m just saying that if I went away to school,there would be one less mouth to feed. Please, just think on all I’ve said.”
Eva pressed her own hand over her sister’s, cherishing the connection. It would kill her to send Penny off to London ... but as Bram and his uncle had said, the girldidhave a quick mind, one that deserved to be educated beyond what she could give her. “All right, Penny. I will think on it. But if I decide the answer is no, I will not suffer any dramatics, is that clear?”
“I suppose.” A playful smile danced on Penny’s lips. “Though I shall be disappointed.”
“We must all learn to cope with disappointment, for there is nothing on this side of heaven that is perfect.” Eva pushed up from the bench and snugged the counterpane tighter around Penny’s shoulders. “Come, let’s get you in something more suitable for morning service.”
She led the girl through the ivy-strangled door, then up the rocky incline. By the time they rounded the corner of the barn, Bram was already driving his uncle and the college boys in the wagon across the yard. As she watched his fine form, a bittersweet ache settled deep in her chest. The sight of him, strong and steadfast at the reins, stirred emotions she’d been trying to suppress. There was no more denying the pull he had on her, a force that defied reason and propriety—for, yes, indeed, she would have allowed him to kiss her last night—and she would have kissed him right back.
And the truth of her own words of only moments before slapped her hard in the face.
“We must all learn tocope with disappointment.”
He’d be leaving in four days. How was she to cope with that?
24
Good-byewas too harsh of a word. Too jarring, like the slamming of a door in an empty house, the echo of it sharp on the ear. Bram had stayed up half the night trying to figure out a way to soften the blow of parting from Eva, and yet here he was in her sitting room, his tongue lying impotent in his mouth. He’d arrived early to have a moment alone with her before departing for Cambridge, to speak heartfelt words that would leave behind a sweet memory for them both.
But all he could do was stand there, twisting his hat round and round in his hands.
Eva wasn’t much better. Her fingers toyed with the delicate lace edging of a handkerchief, folding and unfolding it in restless motions. The ticking of the wall clock filled the silence, each second amplifying the silent scream of their impending farewell.
“I suppose I should be thankful you are not cracking your knuckles.” Eva directed a pointed look at his hat.
“And I am glad you are not biting your nails.”
A small smile traveled across her lips. “So you are all ready to go, then?”
Ready to leave her? Never. But the lads were likely even nowparking the wagon at the front door, preparing to enter for their own good-byes.
