“I’ll fetch it for you.” Gwendolyn started to leave.
“Thank you,” Dara said. And then, because she was so rattled with Elise standing like a stone statue in the hall, she shared her other news, the news that would affect all of them. “Michael has asked if you would do us the honor of coming to live with us.”
Gwendolyn stopped midstep. Even Tweedie acted surprised. Dara knew Elise overheard her.
“He’s—weare going to move to a house,” Dara continued. “There will be room for everyone, including Herald, Molly, and Cook. It would be lovely to have you all with us. Then we wouldn’t have to continue to rent this house. That is good, isn’t it?”
Gwendolyn gathered herself first. “That is a lovely offer.”
“Absolutely, and generous,” Tweedie said. “When would he do this?”
“He told Teddy to take me around to look at suitable homes. Teddy is his man—Michael’s valet and, really, whatever he wishes to be.”
“Thank you,” Gwendolyn said, meaning the words. “We could only afford this house for maybe a month more and, to be honest, I wasn’t ready to go back to Wicklow. I haven’t had my fill of London yet.”
“Nor have I,” Tweedie agreed. “I’m having fun seeing my nieces make their mark in the world. Your father would be as pleased as punch to know his daughters were spinning Society on their fashionable ears.”
There was one person who hadn’t spoken. Elise’s face had gone pale.
“Elise, please come live with us,” Dara said. “Please.” She took a step toward her. “I know losing him was a terrible blow. Still, you are my sister, and I love you.”
There was a long moment of quiet, and then words burst out of Elise.“I wish we’d never come to London.”She ran up the stairs.
Dara stared after her, her heart hurting for her sister, but she didn’t chase her as she would have in the past.
“What should we do?” Gwendolyn asked Tweedie. “Elise is so angry.”
“Let her be. Each of us must work out some matters for ourselves, especially when we are wrong.”
“Isshe wrong?” Dara had to ask. “Don’t I bear a responsibility for the way she is feeling?”
Tweedie shook her head. “You know in your heart the answer to that. Whether you do or you don’t, is she seeing reason?”
“But what if she holds this against me forever?” Dara wondered.
“Then she’ll pay a very dear cost. No man should ever come between sisters. Your bond was formed at birth. She knows you didn’t trick her. That’s not your nature, Dara. Although I believe you’ve been surprised to realize how human you are. You now know thatyouare like the rest of us.” Tweedie looked to Gwendolyn. “Fetch the dress.”
Gwendolyn acted almost relieved to have something to do.
Dara walked over to her great-aunt. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For understanding. Events seemed to have just swept me along.”
Tweedie lowered herself to the settee, her hands resting on her walking stick. She appearedwise, an oracle. “Sometimes, life gives you a gift, and your best choice is to value it, not rationalize it. I’ve had three husbands, each a good man, and I have no idea how I fell in love with any of them. I just did. One day you are alone, and then the next, your life has expanded to include this other person—and it is agoodthing. Because now your existence isn’t about what someone can give you, but what you bring to them. And,” she hastened to add, holding up a bony finger, “I’m not talking about a dowry or a title. Those things mean nothing compared to having someone who understands you. Someone who sees you as you really are, and accepts you nonetheless.” Her smile turned bittersweet. “Live your life and let Elise find hers. Mr. Brogan has been yours from the beginning. If you can’t see that, I pity you.”
Dara leaned over and gave her aunt’s cheek a kiss. “Thank you.”
Tweedie waved her off. “If you truly want to thank me, you could convince Gwendolyn to restock the sherry. She has been economizing because she worries over the money. The two of you are very alike. However, your husband’s offer arrived just in time.”
A beat later, Gwendolyn came down the stairs with the black mourning gown and veil over her arm and the needle and thread. She stopped in the doorway and looked from Tweedie to Dara. “Did I miss something?”
“We’ve been waiting for you,” Tweedie replied before adding innocently, “Dara, what is it you wanted to say to your sister?”
Gwendolyn laughed. “You don’t have to tell me. I will send Herald out for sherry. I believe I could use some as well. Here’s the dress.”
With the dress over one arm, Dara gave them all hugs, including Herald, and left the house determined that she and Teddy would find the perfect home for her family. She wanted them close. All of them, including Elise, although she understood why her younger sister would not wish to live under the same roof as Michael and Dara.
