“Because we didn’t know who he was?” Dara suggested pointedly.
Tweedie’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Think about the truth, and where we all were several months ago. Wiltham was your home... but it was falling apart because of neglect.”
“Hisneglect,” Elise couldn’t hold back from saying bitterly. “And now Richard’s.”
“And yet you were going there, weren’t you?” Gwendolyn observed quietly.
Elise shot her a guilty glance. “I was... I was confused. I thought it was home.”
“And now?” Tweedie asked.
Elise had been thinking on this during the long ride back to London. She answered quietly, “I now believe, home is where people you love are.”
Dara took her hand. “We are glad you are returned to us. That is all that matters. As for Father and whatever subterfuge he has played... well, I am sorry for him.”
Gwendolyn chimed in, “Although I think he wished to be there for us. He did return.”
“To take what cash he could find out of Wiltham,” Tweedie grumbled.
“Then he missed what was valuable,” Gwendolyn answered.“Us.”
Michael returned home just then, interrupting them. He acted as delighted as her sisters to have Elise home. She was going to be spending therest of her life apologizing to Michael and Dara for her behavior. She had reacted selfishly and here they were, treating her like a valued member of the family.
He was quickly included in the information about their father being alive.
“Was he happy to see you?” Dara asked.
“That is the part that is uncomfortable,” Elise warned. “No, he wasn’t happy. He did recognize me, but then he acted almost angry that I had come to his doorstep. He seemed to have his life there and he really didn’t care about Wiltham or what had happened to us.”
There was a moment of silence as those dark words sank in.
“I’m going to find him,” Dara said, rising to her feet as if she would walk out the door that minute.
Michael rose and blocked his wife’s passage. “And do what?” He shook his head. “I would be happy to call him out for you. I think it would be a waste of a bullet, but I would do it.”
Dara placed her hand on his arm. “He’s not worth it, is he?”
“He’s your father. Only you can answer that question.”
Elise chimed in, “He’s not worth it. I prefer my memories of him to the man I met.”
Gwendolyn leaned forward. “We have half brothers?”
“Several of them,” Elise confirmed. “You areno longer the only dark-haired person in the family.”
Tweedie made a disgusted sound and looked at Tamsyn, her hand on the dog’s back. “What do you think? Is he worth a bullet?”
Tamsyn yawned, stretching her jaws wide. The poor dear was probably exhausted after her travels, but the action fit the question so well that the sisters found themselves laughing.
Elise grew pensive. “It is sad that Wiltham is gone to us.”
Gwendolyn answered, “Wiltham will always be home... but some things we let go of because we grow away from them. They cease to be important to us. Our life is here, Elise. With the new.”
Like Kit. The time had come to reveal all the truth.
Elise spoke of the accident, of Kit’s saving her life, and Tamsyn helping them find shelter. She didn’t tell of Tommy and Simon. But she shared about the long walk to reach the next posting inn.
“How did you realize Father was alive?” Gwendolyn asked.
