CHAPTER 28
Lucy had always claimed that she did not know her sister that well. They were only four years apart, had grown up in the same home for much of their lives, but in many ways they were strangers.
However, when she started to think about the best way that she might confront Amelia without her stepmother knowing about it, the solution became readily apparent. And it was only because she knew her the way that she did, that it had done.
“Are you certain you do not want me to come?” Marcus asked her for the hundredth time.
She smiled and shook her head. “I could not be more certain. Amelia is not some wicked villain, and she will not attack me. With you there, however, she is likely to close up or even run.”
“But –”
“Also, I do not want James anywhere near her,” Lucy said, her voice hardening. “Which is why I need you to stay here and watch over him…” She raised an eyebrow at her husband.
The two of them were sitting in a carriage, across from one another. Lucy sat closer to the window, looking at the park just beyond, while James was clutched to Marcus’ chest.
He grows more comfortable with James every day. He never complains. He never acts as if he does not want the child with him. If it is an act, it is a good one. Although, I suspect by now that this is his true self…
“As you say,” Marcus said with great reservation. He stroked James’ back as he looked at her, worry coloring his visage. “But if something goes wrong… scream. I will hear it, and I will come running.”
Lucy laughed. “My savior.”
“Your husband,” he corrected.
She attempted to roll her eyes at the comment, but it was forced. In truth, hearing him call himself such made her heart soar, and it was all she could do to continue to act as if Marcus might change back to who he was at any moment.
She was almost ready to trust him fully… any day now, she was certain. In fact, she suspected that once this rotten business wasdealt with, she and Marcus would be ready to take that final step that they had been teetering on for so long.
Just then, as Lucy looked back out the window, she caught sight of Amelia. She was with two friends, and they walked together through the park as they always did on this same day every week. It was a standing get-together, and it had been now for years.
“There she is.” Lucy’s pulse quickened. “Wish me luck.”
“I’ll be right here,” Marcus said.
She looked at him and smiled. “I know you will be.” That smile held a moment longer, and then she climbed from the carriage and stepped into the park.
Just as she knew that Amelia walked this park every day, she knew the path that the young woman took. For that reason, she’d had the carriage park just down the way, leaving her to cross a small distance across the park until she stood right in the middle of the pathway.
She folded her hands and looked ahead, watching Amelia and her two friends approaching. They laughed together, looking as if there was not a care in the world between them. That was until Amelia looked ahead, saw Lucy waiting for her, and her face turned as white as a ghost.
Lucy just smiled.
The three girls stopped and Amelia spoke quickly to them. Lucy saw her indicated towards her, the two friends looked confused, but did not argue. Rather, they turned and started back in the other direction as Amelia steadily approached her.
If she had any doubt about Amelia’s involvement, it left Lucy in that moment. She had never seen anyone look so afraid, not to mention guilty. Why, she half expected Amelia to turn and flee.
“Amelia,” Lucy said pleasantly. “I thought I would find you hear.”
“L – Lucy,” Amelia stammered. “You… you’re awake!” She came to within two feet and stopped. No effort to embrace her. No suggestion at a kiss on the cheek. She fidgeted with her hands and her eyes looked everywhere but directly at Lucy.
“Surprised?”
“Relieved,” Amelia clarified. “When you collapsed, you have no idea how worried I was.”
“Not worried enough to come and check on me.”
“I meant to,” she said a little too quickly. “But I could not make it out without Mother finding out. She still does not know that I came to see you.”
“She had no idea?”
