“And I’m…” Hugo stepped forward, his gaze still locked on Ripley. “I’m Eldon Granger, but I go by Hugo. Your father…my father…your father…”
Jane gasped. “Then you know?” she asked. “You know Ripley is your brother?”
He nodded and then reached back for Nora. Their hands entangled. “Why don’t you two come inside? We obviously have a great deal to discuss.”
Nora looked at him, Jane noted the way he squeezed her hand. Offered support. And she knew. She knew that they were truly in love. That offered her solace, even if her sister’s cold demeanor toward her didn’t.
“Yes,” Nora said softly. “Come inside.”
They followed them in and were directed to a parlor just off the foyer. Hugo excused himself and Nora, apparently to arrange for refreshments, though Jane realized it was probably more to have a moment to digest this surprise arrival. Perhaps even formulate a plan of attack.
She used the time given for the same. She crossed to Ripley and he opened his arms, gathering her into his chest and pressing a kiss to the crown of her head.
“Now we know she’s unharmed,” he said. “Breathe, Jane.”
“Yes. And if that’s all I can have, I’ll take it. But I still want to understand what the situation here is. And…and she hates me, Cam.”
She lifted her face to look at him. His expression was so gentle and understanding. His touch as he stroked her cheek with a fingertip was soothing. “She’s distant, yes. But I don’t think she hates you, Jane. We’ll work this out. I promise.”
She smiled at him, even if she knew he couldn’t truly promise that. But that he wanted to fix it for her meant the world to her.
The others returned to the room and Ripley released her. She stepped from his arms, her cheeks heating as she noted Nora’s brief expression of disgust. Tea was brought in and Nora slipped away to prepare it. When she turned back, a cup in hand, she said, “I must correct something that was said earlier. You called me Nora Winchester, Mr. Ripley. I did go by that before, but now I’m…I’m Nora Granger. Hugo and I were married several weeks ago.”
Jane had known it was likely true the moment she’d seen them pair off as a unit. She’s seen the connection between them, felt it in a different way than one normally felt with a protector and a courtesan. Or even a man and his lover. Whatever there was there went deeper. But Jane still shut her eyes and let out her breath shakily at the news.
“You married,” she whispered. “You ran away from school to marry.”
Nora gripped the cup she still held a little tighter before she set it down with a clatter. “Do you mean that I escaped the prison you put me in? Yes.”
Jane bent her head. She felt Ripley stir beside her, knew he wanted to say something to defend her, but she touched his hand and shook her head. “I-I think Nora and I might need a moment alone.”
Nora folded her arms. “I don’t want a moment alone.”
“Please.” Jane stood.
To her surprise, Hugo got to his feet, as well. He crossed to Nora and leaned in, whispering to her. It seemed he’d taken Jane’s side in the argument, for at last Nora looked at Jane and then sighed. “Fine. A moment.”
Jane glanced at Ripley, who had also risen. She shook her head. Now she was going to leave him with a half-brother he hadn’t ever wanted to meet. “I’m sorry.”
He shrugged and murmured, “The young man knows who I am to him. He and I probably need a talk as well. I’ll feel him out for you, Janie.”
She smiled up at him, this man she loved so deeply. Felt his love in return. Felt all he was willing to do and sacrifice just to keep her heart safe. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Ripley strode toward his half-brother. “All right, Granger, tell me you have some stuffy billiard room and something strong to drink. I think we’re going to need it.”
Hugo was laughing, a little nervously, perhaps, as the men left the room and closed the door behind themselves. Which left Jane with Nora.
Her sister’s arms were still folded and she remained across the room from her. “I almost wouldn’t have recognized you,” Jane said softly. “You’ve grown up to be so beautiful. So tall.”
“You would have recognized me if you ever saw me over the years,” Nora said, her tone clipped and cool. Then she sighed. “Honestly, Jane, why are you here? You made it clear you didn’t give a damn about me when you sent me off to that school and abandoned me.”
“I-I wrote to you.” She swallowed. “Through others at first, but more after I learned to read and write.”
“Oh yes. The letters. That will keep a girl warm during all those holidays alone,” Nora said, and rolled her eyes.
Jane stared. Nora had done that as a little girl, too. She hated hearing how her actions had hurt her sister. But unlike their mother, who couldn’t ever take responsibility for anything she’d done, Jane knew that she’d been wrong.
Even if she’d been trying to be right.
