“That was most careless of you both.”
“It was corrected. Too quickly, perhaps, but corrected all the same.”
“You were never subtle.”
“It is a trait that she and I share.”
Suddenly, a dark shadow crept across his sister’s face.
“She would dislike me,” Eliza said after a moment.
“You have not met her.”
“I know what would happen well enough.”
“It is as I already told you. She is not what you assume she will be, and she understands your situation.”
“That is what they always say. Then, when confronted by someone in my position, they change. It is for the best that we remain separate.”
“I do not intend to keep you separate indefinitely. I have already warned you of that.”
“That is to say that you intend to introduce us?”
“Yes, and soon.”
The word landed with quiet force. Eliza did not laugh, and she did not refuse. She looked toward the window instead.
“That is bold,” she said.
“It is necessary.”
“For whom?”
“For all of us. This situation is not good for any of us.”
Eliza’s fingers traced the edge of the table.
“She will judge me,” she said.
“She will not. She will want to help you.”
“That is worse. I do not want to be known as your tragic sister that is destined to be an unfortunate widow, and one that relies on her brother at that.”
“If it is any comfort, I plan to help her family as much as I help you. I bought them all gowns this week so that they could have new ones for the first time in months. Believe me, she will not judge you.”
That, at last, seemed to make her listen properly.
“Very well,” she sighed. “When do you plan to do this?”
“Is that to say that you would agree?”
“I will consider it.”
For Eliza, that was a concession, and it was what he needed. He leaned back slightly, tension easing in a way he had not anticipated.
“You surprise me,” he said.
“I am allowed to, she smiled. “And you? Are you prepared for what that meeting will do?”
