She stepped aside as Owen ran forward, lifting Peter out with one arm, and Charles with the other. He carried them to me, and I stretched out my hands to take Charles from him. He threw his arms around my neck, burying his face in my shoulder. Peter held tight to Owen, rubbing at the tears on his freckled cheeks.
I whispered reassurances to them both.
Edmund strode forward and led Owen’s horse away from the drive, clearing the path for Aunt Ruth’s departure.
The driver helped her into the carriage, and I caught her gaze through the open door. Would I ever see her again? The moment that carriage door closed, she would be gone from my life forever. I never planned to return to Silton. The chains she bound me with would be severed by the latch of that door, and I would finally be free.
I felt a surge of anger—of resentment—but mostly pity. She had chosen not to marry for love, and she had chosen not to love me or my brothers. Her heart was bitter and cold, and I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone.
“I will send my regrets to Mr. Frampton,” I said through the open door just before it closed.
There were no parting words, not a hint of sadness or loss. Through the window, she turned her gaze forward, and the coach began its journey down the road.
CHAPTER 34
We carried my brothers inside, abandoning that empty drive and dark, stormy sky.
Mrs. Kellaway, Mrs. Everard, and Alice surrounded my brothers and me in the drawing room. The concern on their faces melted my heart. They couldn’t stop themselves from reassuring Peter and Charles repeatedly that they were safe.
I watched as Owen stepped outside with his uncle. I assumed he was taking the horses to the stables.
I held Peter tightly in my arms on the settee, then turned to Charles and did the same. I wiped the last of their tears from their cheeks.
“Are we still leaving today?” Peter asked in a quiet voice, as if he were still afraid of the answer.
I shook my head, brushing back his hair. “No.”
Mrs. Kellaway leaned down in front of us. “You may stay as long as you wish.”
“May we stay forever?” Charles asked.
I laughed, grabbing his tiny hand. “Forever is a very long time.”
Mrs. Everard laughed too, bustling forward in her puce satin gown. “If what I heard today is true, the three of you will soon be living with Owen at Willowbourne.”
I stared at the floor. I could always leave it to Mrs. Everard to bring up the most delicate of subjects.
All the eyes in the room turned on me. I was completely encircled.
It would be easy for the others to assume that Owen’s words—and mine—had been part of a trick to convince Aunt Ruth to unhand my brothers. After one fake engagement, I couldn’t blame anyone for believing there might be two. But I knew Owen’s intentions, and I trusted him. Still, I had never given him my answer the night before. The memory of our kiss came spilling back to me, making a blush creep over my cheeks.
“It is true,” I said in a hesitant voice. “At least—I think it is.”
Mrs. Everard’s eyes flew open wide. “How could you be uncertain?”
“He—well, he did propose to me, but I never gave him my answer. Not officially, anyway. I suppose he could still harbor…some degree of uncertainty.”
Mrs. Kellaway gave a delighted laugh. “Oh, Annette. You must tell him at once!”
I watched Miss Lyons cross the room to a bookcase. She plucked a book from the shelf and sat in the corner with it, seemingly intent to ignore the rest of the conversation. That suited me just fine. I did not care for her advice.
“But…how can I tell him?” I asked with a nervous laugh. “Until he asks me again…”
“Don’t you dare make him ask you again!” Mrs. Everard said with a firm look.
“Calm yourself, Mama.” Mrs. Kellaway pressed a hand to her stomach as she laughed. “The matter will work itself out, I am sure of it.”
Alice shook her head, plopping down beside me on the settee. She gave me a serious look. “I agree that you mustn’t keep him waiting a moment longer. My uncle is rather oblivious, and I suspect he will occupy Owen’s time a while longer.”
