I smiled into his kiss. “I shall have to convince them to wed quickly.”
A forced cough sounded from behind me. Peter pulled back, grasping my hand as I turned.
Clara raised a gloved hand to her gaping mouth, while Sir Ronald chuckled at her side.
“Amelia?” Her shocked voice was a squeak.
I froze in equal shock. What could I say to her? What she knew of Peter rang false on every account, and much of that had been my own doing. How could I convince her to open her heart?
“I assume congratulations are in order, Wood.” Sir Ronald stepped forward, forcing down his humor. “Otherwise, I shall have to banish you from my house a second time.”
Peter and I exchanged an amused glance.
Clara was not as amused. Her frown wrinkled her face. “What is the meaning of this?”
I reached out to her, about to release Peter’s hand, when my feet grew heavy. As much as I ached to comfort Clara, to make her understand, letting go of Peter was just as painful. Clara’s future was secure, her heart held by a man who would, if necessary, conquer the world for her. Did I not also deserve that same happiness?
Stepping back, I drew even with Peter. “Forgive me, Clara. I know I have kept many things from you this past fortnight, and I give you my word, I never shall again. But if there is one thing I should have told you, one thing I hid even from myself, it is how much I love this man.” I let out a sigh, full of all the affection and admiration I’d carefully bound since we’d met. “I cannot live without you, dear sister, but I also cannot live without him. I hope in time you might come to know Peter as I do and love him for the good man that he is, regardless of what his sister has done.”
Peter squeezed my hand, and Clara looked between us, confused and sad.
After a few moments, she turned to Peter, chin raised. “You cannot have her.”
Immediately, I opened my mouth to protest, but she continued, “I will not prepare for my wedding without her. Nor will she prepare for hers without me.”
Stunned silence filled the air. Then Peter let out a loud laugh.
Clara added, “We shall return her to you the day before you wed, and not a day sooner.”
Peter pulled me to his side, gratitude evident in his easy smile. “Thank you, Miss Clara.”
“Then it is settled,” Sir Ronald said amiably as though nothing amiss had occurred only hours previous. “Shall we leave them to offer their goodbyes, my darling? Cook has set out breakfast.”
“Indeed,” Clara said, a smile on her lips.
Sir Ronald kissed her hand before lacing it through his arm and leading her back into the house.
“I think she and I are becoming friends already,” Peter said.
I nearly pinched him. Despite it all, his confidence was unyielding.
“You shall have to write me letters.” I tried to sound brave, but my heart threatened to crack. Love was indeed cruel, taking away my Peter so soon. Cruel, but worthwhile.
“Every day. Indeed, I shall hire a man for that very task. We’ve only four hours between us. He can wait for your response and return to me in the same evening.”
“Are you in earnest?” I feared I sounded like a lovestruck schoolgirl, but I didn’t mind.
“Tomorrow morning, your first will be on its way.” Peter leaned in for a kiss.
“Stop that, immediately.” Georgiana banged through the front door, her hair a wild mess, holding a handbag and a small blanket in her arms. Red splotches painted her face, but she did not look up as she crossed the gravel. “Into the carriage, Peter.”
“In a moment, Georgiana. You might offer us congratulations, you know.”
I shook my head pointedly at him, not wishing for any further tension. Georgiana would come around. But now was not the time.
Georgiana’s face contorted. “Perfect timing for you, is it not, Miss Moore? My brother’s house is very large. I daresay you will be more than comfortable.”
Peter tensed.
