His countenance changed from anger to liberation. “I’ve already spoken with Dr. Wyles. He says I have no hope of recovery.” He spoke as if he were more inconvenienced than troubled by the news. “Unlike your father, you are smart. Certainly you can deduce that very shortly, everything I have will be given to Catherine’s brother, Trenton, and you will be left with nothing.”
His words buzzed in my head like flies, blurring my vision.A tightness squeezed my chest, and my lungs fought for air.
“Look at me, Amelia!” Urgency thundered in his voice. He waved the letter in my face, his cold eyes full of disdain. “My family will take my money and turn their backs on you when I am gone, and I would not have it any other way. Fool that I am, I bound myself for your mother’s sake before she died, or I would have rid my house of you long ago. This invitation compels me to offer one last alternative. You will go to Hampshire and secure this match. Then I shall meet Arabella again with a clear conscience.”
“Y-yes,” I whispered, my mind swimming in thought. I’d known he resented us, known that our father had ruined his life, but I’d never imagined that his hatred ran so deep. I could no longer sit. Rising from my chair in stunned silence, my legs instinctively carried me to the door.
“And you haven’t much time to prepare.”
Turning, my hand loosely gripping the door handle, I watched him take another slow pull of his cigar. “How long?”
“It appears the letter was delayed in transit. You must leave tomorrow.”
Chapter Two
The morning sun burst through my curtains, which were open enough to allow in an unwelcome stream of light. My forehead ached from the stress of last night’s rushed gathering of a fortnight’s worth of necessities. Had I slept at all?
I rubbed my temples as Mary tiptoed in and set a tea tray on my side table before opening the curtains the rest of the way.
“What time is it, Mary?” I yawned.
“Just after seven, Miss Amelia,” she replied, adding a spoonful of sugar to my cup of tea.
So I’d slept for three hours. Not enough. Perhaps I’d be able to nap in the coach. I sipped my warm tea, easing out of my covers with cup in hand. A floor below us, Lord Gray’s coughing shook the air. The start of a new day, and perhaps for him, one of his last. My stomach knotted at the thought, and I lost my appetite.
“Amelia?” Clara rushed in, fully dressed, her hair perfectly curled and pinned. Her eyes were as bright as the morning sun, nearly bursting with excitement. “I’ve told Mr. Jones to ready the coach. We must be off if we are to make it in time for dinner atSir Ronald’shouse. Can you believe it?”
“I cannot.” I smiled, despite knowing the truth of Lord Gray’s confession. Any knowledge of our true circumstances would ruin the party for Clara, and she deserved a chance to create a genuine connection with Sir Ronald. Not something forced out of fear for her future. “His home must be magnificent.”
“Oh, I am sure it is. Five floors and two wings, and a library he admires. He even has a room entirely dedicated to yellow, which is his favorite color. And his holding encompasses hundreds of acres of land.” Clara’s eyes brightened as she recalled the details.
My mouth fell open, and it took me a minute to find my voice. “How do you know all of this, Clara?”
“Well, dances and dinners, of course. We escaped to the terrace a few times. And once we hid away under a grand staircase when a certain woman would not leave him alone. He is not overly fond of large parties.”
Half-laughing at my sister whose secrets were more than I possibly could have assumed, I shook my head in amazement. “This is why you’ve been so glum. Did he tell you he would write to us?”
“I am not glum. We are friends, that is all. Miss Wood, I hear, has held his affection for some time. So, no, he did not inform me of his party. But I am happy for the invitation regardless.”
“I see. Well, we shall see if Miss Wood was also extended an invitation when we arrive. It sounds to me like Sir Ronald’s interests may lie in another direction.” I shot her a pointed glance, and she scrunched her nose.
“Please don’t say such things, Amelia. I only want his happiness. Promise me you will not try to persuade him otherwise? Or meddle between us? If Miss Wood is as amiable as I have heard, then I doubt it will do any good. I am thrilled to have been invited at all.”
“Miss Wood,” I huffed. “She sounds plain.”
“Amelia.” Clara shook my shoulders with her hands. “Promise me.”
If only she knew what she asked of me. I could not lie, but I could not make such a promise either. A middle ground would have to do. “I promise to do nothing that would make you unhappy, Clara.”
Downstairs, Mr. Jones informed us that Lord Gray was feeling especially unwell this morning and was unable to see us off. I was unsurprised by his absence, but I also felt a tinge of relief. What would I say to him if these words were my last? I had little to thank him for beyond the sustenance he provided and the roof over my head. Even then, I was not entirely sure I felt grateful for that.
Mr. Jones helped us into the carriage, and just before closing our door, said, “Lord Gray asked me to wish you luck in your journey. Safe travels, Miss Moore, Miss Clara.”
“Luck?” Clara questioned as we rode out of Brighton. “I wonder why he thinks we need luck. Such a strange, peculiar man. I am glad to be away again so soon.”
“As am I.” I sighed, listening to the sounds of the squeaky coach. “I am sure he meant for our travels.” Nothing to do with our uncertain future.
“Yes, but that would imply he meant to be kind, and Lord Gray is the most unfeeling man I have ever met.” Clara tsked. “I will never understand why Mama chosehim. After a man like Father. Elevating our status is not a worthy enough excuse to be tied to such a person.”
