We sat still, listening as he shook it out and smoothed the pages.
Liza watched me, and her whole countenance softened. “I’m so glad you’re here. Someone sane to save me from all this madness. And you areengaged! Tell me everything, and don’t you dare leave out one detail.”
We settled in, angled toward each other. I wracked my brain for something interesting to tell her. Unfortunately, I had few details to share. “Well, after Father agreed to give Marlow the parcel of land he wanted—”
Liza gave me an exhausted look. “No, Ros. What is helike?”
I pictured His Grace escorting me into dinner, how he looked down at me with a small smile as he helped me into my chair. “Tall. Formal. He has the bluest eyes. And he smells like mint and oranges.”
“You smelled him?” She looked intrigued.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Not like that,” I chided, and she laughed. “He took me for a walk after dinner.”
“A walk?” Liza’s lips parted. “Alone?”
“It was not all that exciting.” I wrinkled my nose. Indeed, it was the first and only time we’d been alone together. I had felt awkward, and every word out of me had seemed to pinch my throat. “Your turn. What happened to that handsome gentleman in London you wrote about? Mr. ‘Would you like more punch?’”
“Well,hesmelled like bourbon and expensive leather.”
“Stop that.” I laughed. “Why is he not here with us? In your letter, you spoke of how kind and genuine he is.”
“Yes,” she said, frowning. “But he’s a third son. And as soon as Papa got wind of it, I was forbidden from dancing with him, sitting near him, glancing in his direction, and even sighing thoughtfully in the carriage rides to and fro.” Her lips twitched, and her cheeks grew rosier.
A bolt of hot jealousy shot through me. “Liza Olivia Ollerton, have you fallen in love?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I am intelligent enough not to give my affections to someone my father does not approve of.” She rested her elbow on the back of the settee and propped up her chin on her fist. “You should have seen some of those mamas, pawing at every eligible gentleman and hissing at any petty threat. It was exhausting.” Liza made an exasperated face, and I laughed.
We’d been dear friends for as long as I could remember, but change was swiftly upon us, and I hated it. That gnawing feeling roiled in my stomach, demanding attention, so I gave it purpose, and said, “There is something I need help with, Liza. A favor.”
“Anything.”
I hoped she meant it. My future happiness depended upon completing this list. I couldn’t explain it, but somehow I knew that once I’d finished, that awful feeling would subside. I’d feel whole. I’d be ready.
I took a deep breath. “Do you remember my aunt Alice?”
Liza gave me an obvious look. “I remember being abandoned by you every time she came to visit.”
I laughed. “She gave me some advice after her wedding. Before she left for Birmingham.”
Liza furrowed her brow. “I don’t rememberthat. What advice did she give you?”
“She created a list of ten things she’d always wanted to do but never had. Some ridiculous, some terrifying. And just before she married my uncle, she did them.All of them.She encouraged me to do the same.”
Liza’s eyes were bright, and she drew in a breath. “And you did. Have you finished it?”
Mr. Winston cleared his throat, and there was a rustling of paper.
I leaned in closer. “My list has been hidden for eight years, but I retrieved it this morning. Shall we read it together?”
I traced my finger along my ribbon, searching for the little square I’d hidden there.
But it was gone.
“‘Number one, learn to swim,’” a deep voice read.
My nerves, my senses, everything seized, and I spun around in my spot.
Mr. Winston sat back in his chair, his newspaper tossed aside, my list in his hand.
