Corie looked so sad now at Linette’s incredulous query. “No, but he might have if Adam hadn’t left first without saying goodbye to any of us.”
“Or to me.” Linette heaved a ragged sigh, her gaze falling to herlap as Corie squeezed her hands. “I love him, too. If he hadn’t been a doctor and only a viscount, I wouldn’t be here, Corie. I wouldn’t be here.”
For a long moment they sat there silently, until Corie rose suddenly from her chair, startling Linette, and seemed to square her shoulders.
“Come downstairs with me. We’ll talk to Donovan, and you must tell him what you just told me, will you? Ifthat isn’t enough to make him set out to find Adam…”
Corie didn’t say more, as if perhaps not sure what her husband might do, but Linette felt a strong enough surge of hope that she rose to her feet alongside her sister. She flung her arms around Corie and embraced her tightly, both of them starting to laugh through a fresh welling of tears.
“Then we’ll gather Estelle and the children straightaway,”Corie said excitedly, walking arm-in-arm with Linette to the door. “The whole household needs to know you’ve come back to us! I wanted it to be a surprise, but the weekend after Easter we’re going to host a special gathering just for you. And guess who will be coming? Papa, of course, and Marguerite and Walker, and Lindsay and Jared, and their children, too.”
And Adam? Linette couldn’t help wonderingas she and Corie walked down the marble steps together. If he truly loved her, surely he would return to Arundale Hall…
