“How can you all be so kind?”Valaria whispered.“You two, Theo…Callum.”
“Because wecarefor you,” Bernadette said.“And Callum…well, Callum loves you.”
“Yes.”Valaria let out a shaky breath.“Callum does love me.He proves that regularly now, and makes my resolve so shaky.”
“Perhaps in this case, a solid resolve is rather unforgiveable,” Flora said.When both the others looked at her, she shrugged.“I believe I am the only one of the three of us who loved her husband, yes?”
“I…wanted to love him,” Bernadette said weakly.
“Hardly a sterling sentiment, dear,” Flora said with a laugh.“I will tell you that love is a complicated thing.And a simple thing.And a wonderful, terrible thing.”
Valaria flinched.“You are not selling me on the concept.It sounds dreadful.So much to risk, so much potential for pain.”
“Of course.The risk is very high,” Flora agreed.“And the payout is even higher.I would not have traded those years with my Stuart, not for all the gold in all the world.And when he died…” She hesitated and swallowed hard.“When I lost him, it changed me.It changed my world.Since none of us knows the future, or how quickly a loss may come, I would hate to see you turn away love, Valaria.Especially with such a remarkable man.”
Valaria bent her head.“Callum is that.Tender and passionate, kind and confident, intelligent and witty.Almost the perfect man that I dreamed of as a girl before…well, before everything.”
“And the fact that he is handsome as anything and rich as Midas doesn’t hurt either,” Bernadette giggled.
Valaria was shocked that she could still smile considering what her afternoon had entailed.“Yes, those things, too.”
“All of that is fine and good.”Flora said, holding her gaze evenly.“Amazing qualities all.And the fact that he worships the ground you walk upon is also of vital importance.But the most significant thing is whether or not you love him.Do you?”
Valaria drew a few long breaths.She had been avoiding that very question since the moment Callum had shown up at her door weeks ago.Perhaps even longer than that.And yet the answer rose up in her like a tidal wave and overwhelmed everything else in her world.
“Yes,” she whispered.“I do love him.”
Bernadette let out a little squeal.“Then nothing else matters, does it?”
“I think the fact that I’m being blackmailed and if the truth comes out we shall all be ruined might matter,” Valaria said.“No matter what he says to the contrary.”
“You’ll get through this,” Flora said, squeezing her hands.“He won’t have it any other way.But you’ll have to let him in, Valaria.You’ll have to open yourself up to the pain, knowing that the joy will be more than equal to the task.Certainly today he’s proven that he can be trusted.”
“Yes,” Valaria whispered.“He’s certainly done that in spades.And I know you’re right.I just don’t know if I’m strong enough.”
“You are,” Bernadette assured her.“But I can see you’re overwhelmed after such a horrible day.Why don’t we drink tea and gossip like usual and pretend that everything is normal?As long as you know that any time you need to talk about this, day or night, we’re here.”
Valaria looked from one woman to the other, these two who had been strangers until recently, and who she now loved as powerfully as she might have loved her own blood sisters.“I am so lucky to have you both.”
And she knew she was.She just hoped that Flora was right and that she would survive the storm that had crashed upon her shores.And find a way to tell Callum just what was in her heart.
* * *
Callum entered his study with Theo on his heels.He went immediately to the sideboard and poured them each a tall glass of whisky, one of which he handed over to his friend.Theo took it, but set it on the edge of the desk without drinking as he watched Callum settle into his chair.
“You must have a great deal to say,” Callum said, hearing how rough his voice was.“So go ahead.”
Theo tilted his head.“I have nothing to say.I do have a question.”
Callum drank the whisky in one long slug.“Ask away.”
“Are you well?”
Theo’s voice was so gentle that Callum jerked his gaze up and found only support in Theo’s expression.
“This was a horrible day,” Theo continued.“What she went through…what she was forced to do…hearing it was difficult for me, and I don’t love her.I cannot imagine the pain it caused you.Especially since the damage to her was perpetrated by someone you cared for.So I ask again, my old friend, are you well?”
“No,” Callum admitted softly and his voice cracked with the emotional weight of what had happened.“I am anything but well.I am…undone.I am lost.I am heartbroken for her.I hate him and I hate myself for not knowing what he was and intervening.”
