Chapter fifteen
Unwritten
Rose
There comes a day when a woman stops believing the story written about her and begins writing the one she was born for.
— From The Mysterious Deep: A Comprehensive Understanding
The night was alight with stars and a full moon, keeping them company. I stared out the window of the carriage, trying to calm my nerves, which were fraying at the edges. Running my hands together, I thought about everything that could go wrong. Maybe Edmonds would go back on his word. This could all be an elaborate plot to improve his name. Threepirates for the price of one. Maybe Lord Smith wouldn’t bend like I believed he would. Maybe James would-
“Hey, it’s all right,” Oscar slid his hand into mine.
I turned to see him and struggled to take the next breath. I hated how thin he was, and even though he’d shaved and was wearing clean clothes, the last few months were written onto the circles under his eyes.
“I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner,” I whispered.
He lifted my gloved hand and brought it to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on the back of it.
“You are perfect, Rosie. I couldn’t ask for a better sister,” Oscar said.
My eyes stung, and I turned back to the glittering sky for comfort. It felt too real. Emotions bubbled up when I wasn’t ready for them. It made it hard to take the next breath, which might have been because I wasn’t used to a corset anymore.
“I might have put in a few requests for better siblings if anyone asked,” Oliver grumbled across from us.
“Why do I get the feeling you all are scheming?” Roberta said next to him.
She was beautiful. A year later, and she was the spitting image of Ruby and Mother. Blond curls carefully placed over her shoulder complemented her deep blue dress. The only reason anyone would think we were sisters is because of the green eyes we shared. Otherwise, her soft jawline and slim figure were all our mother.
“Us? Scheme?” I gasped. “Unthinkable.”
Oliver snorted and shook his head, but a muscle feathered on the side of his jaw that was tightly clenched. I was convinced Oscar, and I had taken years off his life over the past two years.
“You three always have conversations that don’t make sense to anyone else. It’s very rude and irritating,” Roberta said, glaring at me as if I were the problem.
“You could have gone in the other carriage,” I said.
In fact, it was exceptionally inconvenient that she insisted upon joining us rather than going with our parents and Ruby. I’d been hoping to have a few minutes to review the plan, but Roberta could not be told anything once she had made up her mind.
“Forgive me for wanting to spend time with my siblings,” she huffed.
“And we are happy to have you, Bertie,” Oscar said with a grin.
Roberta’s mouth fell open, and she glared at him, eyes flashing.
“Do not call me that!” she said.
Oscar held up his hands, and a half-cough, half-laugh broke from him.
“You used to like it when I called you that,” he said.
“When I was a child!” she hissed.
Despite the tension I carried, I let the river of amusement carry me. Roberta was always high-strung and convinced she knew everything.
“Yes, Oscar, don’t you know you are talking to the future Lady Braddock?” I smirked.
Oliver let out a booming laugh, and Roberta sniffed, shooting me a scathing glare.
