When they pulled away from one another, Joan’s face suddenly turned grave. “Before you go, it is crucial that we discuss practicalities.”
Avery frowned. “Practicalities? Like what?”
Joan shrugged. “Well… for example, what if Keira’s parents write to her here? What should we do?”
Keira looked around the chamber and noticed two unused pieces of paper on the writing table by the window. Shewalked over there and silently penned two letters to her family. She mentioned going horseback riding through the picturesque Scottish Highlands, something she actually hoped to do soon, so it wouldn’t be a complete lie.
She also mentioned how much she loved her family and how much she was enjoying the adventure of visiting her two best friends in Scotland. She mentioned trying out new food and enjoying the crisp, fresh air.
Once the letters were complete, Keira signed each with love and care. She sealed them in envelopes and addressed them.
“Here.” She handed the letters to Joan, who, just like Avery, had been silent throughout the entire time Keira had taken to finish her two letters. “Send one letter this week, and another one the following week. That should maintain the illusion that I’m here, with you.”
“All right.” Joan nodded, accepting the letters and holding them tightly.
At that moment, Keira felt a mix of emotions—nervousness, excitement, and a pang of guilt for not being completely honest with her loved ones. What she was about to do was utterly mad. What on earth was she thinking?
And that was exactly the heart of the problem: shewasn’tthinking. Not with her head, at least. She was unapologetically excited to be whisked off by a handsome Scot to his castle and spend a fortnight with him there, without her family being nonethe wiser. It was as if the old Keira had stepped aside and allowed someone else to take the reins of this journey.
And that was the most exciting part. She was doing what she had never thought was possible, and loved every minute of it.
“Also, you are, of course, to read the letters they send me,” Keira continued. “If there is any emergency, you will forward those letters to me, and I shall decide what to do. I hope no such emergency will take place, but one can only hope.”
“It is only two weeks,” Avery reminded her.
“Yes.” Keira smiled. “I know that these two weeks might feel like two years, at some point, and also like two days at another.”
Avery chuckled. “It is quite an adventure you’ve decided to embark on, Keira. I can barely recognize this part of you!”
Keira laughed as well. “I know,” she admitted. “I am both excited and petrified, and it is the strangest mixture of emotions I have ever felt. But I want to go through with this. I don’t remember wanting anything this badly. We’ve agreed on a kiss, and honestly, the very thought of kissing this man…”
The moment she said those words, she felt her cheeks burn, which didn’t escape her friends’ attention.
“All this for a kiss?” Avery asked playfully.
“It’s not just the kiss,” Keira admitted, taking the same gown out of her valise and folding it again, which made Joan chuckle upon noticing. “It is the way he makes me feel when he looks at me. The shivers, the trembles—it’s like my whole body awakens. This is the feeling I look forward to for the next two weeks, and then, after they expire, I can go back to the plan that others have outlined for my life.”
Her eyes were still burning with strange passion as she finished her little monologue, speaking a little faster than she was usually accustomed to. She felt as if words were coming out of her mouth like an avalanche, and she couldn’t do anything to stop them, just like she couldn’t do anything to stop herself from going away with Raphael.
“All I’m saying is that you ought to be careful, Keira,” Joan spoke with a wisdom that seemed to surpass all their age. “Because I’m wondering… if you feel all these overwhelming sensations, how will you ever go back to a boring life with the Earl?” She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in. “Instead of getting yourself prepared to go through with your plan, you might be making it even harder for yourself to live the dull life you’ve always feared.”
Keira had to admit that her friend was right, and these words caught her off guard. But it was something she didn’t want to think about right now. Life was to be lived in the present, not the past or the future. The past was over and done with. The future was yet to come. If she focused too much on either of those two, she might miss the precious moments of the present.
“If I remember correctly, Joan, you were the one who ran away from an arranged marriage back in London.” Keira didn’t say this out of malice but rather to put things in perspective. “It was I who gave you my carriage to run off to Scotland, where you eventually found happiness. What I’m trying to say is that I also thought your plan was utterly insane, but as your friend, I wanted to see you happy. I wanted to be there for you in any way I could.”
Immediately, the look on Joan’s face was one of regret. She took Keira’s hand into her own apologetically. “You are absolutely right. You were there for me when I needed you the most. Your unconditional love and support have helped me find happiness. I will be there for you, for whatever it is you need. I was just worried and maybe a tad bit overprotective, because we don’t really know this man. We don’t know what he is really like.”
“I’ve always been a good judge of character, you know this,” Keira reminded her. “You know I wouldn’t even consider going anywhere with him unless I was utterly certain that he is a good man. And of this, I have no doubt.”
“If that is what you feel you must do, you know you can always count on us,” Avery interjected.
Keira felt a sense of relief knowing that her friends were with her every step of the way, not just in spirit but also in the practical aspects of her adventure. Their unwavering support bolstered her confidence and steeled her resolve to embark on this journey.
Avery and Joan, recognizing the need for some privacy, stood up and exchanged knowing glances. Giving her space to finish packing would allow her to collect her thoughts and prepare for the journey ahead.
“We’ll be just outside if you need anything, Keira,” Joan reassured, offering a comforting smile. “I also have to go and tell Jasper what is going on. I don’t know how he will feel about this, honestly. He looks at both of you as his sisters, you know.”
Keira smiled. “He is a good man. You are very fortunate. You both are.”
