“Surely, Katherine told you that her babe’s father died in a carriage accident and that his sister—her best friend—died alongside him. Perhaps, she even mentioned my name.” Emilia raised her eyebrows.
Oliver’s blood ran cold. Kate had mentioned that Theo’s sister, her dearest friend, had died in the carriage accident too. But it was a painful subject and one they’d avoided talking about in their short time together. They’d tried hard to put their grief and their pasts behind them as they focused on their future.
“Well?” Emilia said.
Oliver cleared his throat. “Yes, she talked of losing her dear friend—Theo’s sister—but the subject caused her so much pain, we rarely spoke of it.”
“It’s truly a miracle I survived. She will be overjoyed to know that I am alive and that we can be sisters once again.”
Oliver didn’t know what to think. He felt an implied threat in that this woman knew about Kate’s babe. But, if she really was Kate’s dear friend and her babe’s aunt, then she would be a great comfort to Kate. All he wanted was Kate’s happiness, and if Emilia contributed to her happiness, then she could stay if she wished.
Kate’s eyes flutteredopen. Sunlight filtered through the drawn blue velvet curtains of her bedroom. She squinted. How long had she been sleeping? Then, remembering the events from the night before, she suddenly felt very foolish. She’d been so frightened yesterday after “seeing” Emilia, thinking that she’d returned from the dead to haunt her. How silly she’d behaved. What must Oliver think after finding her in such a confused state? Still, the memory made her shudder. Her mind had played a terrible trick on her—and she’d felt the pain of losing Theo and Emilia all over again like a thousand knife wounds sent to remind her of their fate while she danced and laughed the night away.
She pushed herself into a sitting position and rubbed her eyes. Then she smiled. Oliver was standing by the door, watching her.
He strolled toward her, grinning. “Has anyone ever told you how beautiful you look when you sleep?”
Kate laughed. “Yes, you, every morning.” How lucky she was to have such a dashing and adoring husband. She should not feel guilty for loving him.
Oliver sat on the bed beside her and kissed her cheek. “Are you feeling rested?”
“Yes, I feel much better,” Kate said honestly.
“Good, because I have a surprise for you. One that might shock you but will bring you much joy.”
“A surprise!” Kate’s heart swelled. Oliver was too good to her. “What is it?”
“Not what—who,” Oliver said. “She’s someone you once loved dearly—someone from your past who—”
“Hello, Kate!” Emilia entered the room, cutting Oliver off mid-sentence.
Kate felt the color drain from her face. “Emilia!” She began to tremble. Was she hallucinating again? She appealed to Oliver with her eyes.Am I going mad? Do you see her too?
“I thought we agreed that you should wait until I called you into the room,” Oliver turned to Emilia.
He’s talking to her. He can see her!
“How could I possibly wait another second to see my dearest sister again!” Emilia came forward and threw her arms around Kate. “It’s me, Kate. I’m alive.”
“How is it possible?” Kate asked, clinging to her friend. She embraced the evidence of Emilia’s warm body and familiar rose scent. This was no hallucination or dream. Emilia was alive!
“I’ve just explained it all to your husband. It’s truly a miraculous story.” They released their grip on each other.
Oliver stood up. “I’m going to leave you two alone, but I’ll be back to check on you soon. If you need me before then, I’ll be in my study.” He looked from Emilia to Kate and smiled. “It warms my heart to see you so happy.” He took Kate’s hand and kissed it. “I’m right here if you need me, darling,” he said and exited the room.
“I can hardly believe this,” Kate said, still in shock as Emilia sat on the bed and proceeded to explain everything.
“It’s a miracle,” Kate repeated for the third time when Emilia finished her story. “Last night, when I saw you at the party, I thought I was hallucinating. Did you not see me, dearest? Why didn’t you approach me then?”
“The party? What party? I just arrived in London this morning. And I only came here to find you, not to attend balls.”
Kate froze. “But I’m certain I saw you last night at Lady Ashwood’s ball.”
“Who is Lady Ashwood? Did you talk to this ‘Emilia’ you thought you saw?”
“I tried—I called out to you, but you seemed not to hear me, so I walked to where you were standing, but when I got there, you’d disappeared.” Kate rubbed her forehead. “You were wearing a yellow dress and sipping champagne.”
“Sipping Champagne in a yellow dress at a society ball? Kate, I’m in mourning. I just told you about the harrowing experience of my survival, and you think that two months later I’d be enjoying festivities—two months after losing my beloved brother—the only family I have—” She shook her head, seemingly unable to continue. Tears pooled in her eyes, and she covered her mouth with her trembling hand.
