Verity shrugged. “I’d rather you happy somewhere else than miserable nearby.”
“If I marry Remmy, they won’t let me near you. It will be another six years until we?—”
“Three at most.” Verity grinned. “I’m determined to misbehave terribly once I turn sixteen. And if they do not send me away first, I will run. It would be nice to have a happy sister and jolly brother-in-law to run to.”
Tessa popped upright. “You cannot!”
“Oh, but I will, eventually, when they toss me out as they did you. I would have already run, only I haven’t found anything that is worth being tossed out for. But when it comes, I will not hesitate. I learned that from you. A woman must follow her heart, even if it upsets those who are supposed to care for her.”
She hugged her sister, and the little warm body vibrated strength, was everything she’d ever wished to be, could still be. If she could not stay, she owed her sister at least that—strength. And love.
“You must write me, Verity. Promise. We’ll send letters through Lady Crossvale.”
“I promise.”
“And if Mother is too much, you will go to the countess.”
“Yes.”
“Oh.” Her arms were around her, squeezing. It hurt to leave her. “Forgive me. Forgive me, Verity.”
“Nothing to forgive. Go.” But her little voice was strained, her eyes glossy.
There was no winning. Whatever she did someone would hurt. “Is that really what you want?”
Her sister nodded. “If I didn’t, I would say so.”
She wiped a tear off Verity’s cheek. “Always say so. Never silence yourself. Do you understand?”
Verity rolled her eyes, and Tessa finished packing then hesitated in the doorway before leaving.
“I have something to say to Mother before I leave. Stay abovestairs. Or, at least, stay where Mother cannot see you.”
Verity grinned.
“I love you,” Tessa said. Because she felt it and because she didn’t want Verity to go as long as she had without hearing someone say it.
“I love you, too.”
The words buoyed Tessa, carried her down the stairs, and she found her mother in the parlor, mending the heel of a stocking.
She looked up from her work, confused. “You’ve not changed your gown.”
“I suppose I haven’t. Mother…” Tessa clutched her valise tightly. “I’m not going to marry Mr. Tilbury.”
Her mother stood, her mending falling to the floor. “Yes, you are.”
Tessa shook her head. “I’m not, and nothing you can say will change that. I’m going to London, and I’m going to marry Remington Ives, and I… I hope you will still accept me in your home. I hope you will allow me to see Verity and?—”
“Stop this, Tessa. It’s nonsense.” She sat and retrieved her mending, though it lay idle in her lap.
“I will not stop. And it is not nonsense. It is my heart.”
“It is your future. And Mr. Ives is a rake. I will never allow him in my home or near my daughters.”
Tessa closed her eyes against the tears.Verity,please forgive me.“Then you shall never see meagain.”
Her mother shook her head, fixated on the ruined stocking in her lap. “No.”
