Evan went to her, his gaze holding hers. An idea formed in his mind. One that just might save them all. “Is there someone else?” He asked.
Charlotte sniffled and wiped a tear from her cheek. “What difference would it make? Our parents have taken the choice from us.”
“No.” Evan said, his tone soft. “It might make all the difference in the world. Lady Charlotte, is there another?”
“Lord Greenford,” she said, her voice cracking and tears coming faster. “Mother said I am a foolish chit wishing to marry a viscount when I can have a duke. Father said he will never consent.” She buried her face in her hands. “I love him.”
Evan swallowed past the lump in his throat. He understood Lady Charlotte’s pain, for he, too, was suffering. He handed her a handkerchief and asked, “Does Lord Greenford share your feelings?”
She dabbed at her eyes. “Yes.” She sobered. “He was planning to ask for my hand this very night.”
“Then you shall marry him,” Evan said, his tone firm.
“How?” She averted her gaze. “How can I when everyone expects me to marry you? When my father will not consent? I’d be ruined. You would be ruined.”
Evan placed his fingers under her chin and brought her attention back to him. “If he truly loves you, elope. Scotland is but a day’s ride by horse.”
She gasped, her eyes going wide.
“Is true love not worth the scandal?” Evan asked.
Annie sobbed against Eva’s shoulder, her heart was reduced to shredded ribbons. How had this happened? In the matter of a few words, Evan had been ripped away from her. Had he known? Her eyes burned as she gasped for breath.
“I’m sorry, Annie. I’m so, so s-sorry,” Eva said as she rubbed Annie’s back.
“He said he loved me,” Annie said between sobs.
“Oh, darling. I am sure he does. Perhaps all is not l-lost,” Eva soothed. “He l-looked sh-shocked at the announcement.”
Annie supposed she should take comfort in that. Maybe Evan did not know his mother was about to affiance him. Did it even matter now? He was engaged. Lady Charlotte was to be his bride. “He has to marry her now,” Annie sobbed. “He will not ruin her.”
Eva hugged Annie close. “Gran said the st-stone can come with complications.”
“This is more than a mere complication. He is engaged to another,” Annie said between gasping breaths. “This is devastation.”
Annie’s bedchamber door opened and Gran stepped inside, closing it in her wake. “My dear girl,” Gran said, coming to Annie’s side. She sat and took Annie’s hand. “Look at me.”
Annie forced her gaze to meet Gran’s.
“I know you are hurting, but,” Gran swept the tears from her face, “this will all work out.”
Annie forced herself to speak past the tightness in her throat. “He is betrothed to another. How can that possibly work out?”
Gran gave a small, sympathetic grin. “If the rose quartz has brought you together, then your match is meant to be.”
Annie fisted her hand around the charm. “And if the stone was wrong?”
Gran shook her head. “The rose quartz is never wrong.” She squeezed Annie’s hand. “Have faith, darling. Everything is bound to work out as it should.”
“Gran?” Eva leaned forward.
Annie looked at her cousin, curious what she might ask.
When Gran turned to Eva, she continued, “D-did the stone cause p-problems for you and Grandfather?”
“Our match was not without complication. However, the stone cannot be blamed for the obstacles that got in our way. It has no control over the people and events around us. Life, my darlings, is not without complications. Neither is love, and anything worth having is worth walking through fire to get.”
Gran turned her warm gaze to Annie. “The stone brings true love together. It is up to the people to hold on to that gift. Believe that everything will work out, darling, and it shall come to be true.” She hugged Annie against her side. “Can you do that, sweet girl?”
