“Are you overthinking again?”
“Perhaps I am,” she said. “What’s it to you?”
“I don’t want my future wife overthinking like this,” he said. “So, for the time being, I am going to make the decisions for you, until you are able to see and think through things in a clear manner.”
She could only nod.
Only Duncan could make her agree. It was strange; they came to an agreement and argued all the same. Their connection was full of polarities.
And maybe that was what made it so interesting.
“They stay,” he said to her. I want you to stop treating my protection as if it is temporary,” he said. “I want you to stop acting as if Edward can reach through these walls whenever he pleases, because he cannot, and I want you to tell your sisters, calmly and plainly, that they are not going back.”
“I do tell them,” she said. “I tell them every day.”
“Good, then hopefully they will start to believe it soon.”
Augusta was not meant to hear the conversation. But she had caught the gist of it and confronted her sister as soon as she was able to find a moment alone with her.
“I heard you both,” she said, frowning. “You were talking about sending us away.”
“Augusta,” Charity chided. “Haven’t I told you that it is not good manners to eavesdrop?”
“I don’t think that it counts as eavesdropping if I have a stake in the conversation,” Augusta shrugged her shoulders. “Besides, since you do not include me in these conversations, it is best if I find my own way to become privy of them.”
“Did anyone see you?” Charity asked, concerned. “It would not be a good impression if people spotted you eavesdropping like this.”
Augusta rolled her eyes.
“You care far too much about what people think,” she said, “and not enough about our opinions. Besides, you’ve avoided my question entirely. When were you going to tell us that you were thinking of sending us away?”
Charity sighed and gestured for Augusta to sit down. It did no one good to argue, though she had a feeling that an argument could no longer be avoided.
“It was not something that we had decided, or that was final. It was just something that I was considering, and I thought that it would be a good idea, and it might keep you both safe,” she said.
“Oh, that is just lovely,” Augusta shook her head. “First, you move us here, without any consultation from us, and then you send us away? Are you tired of us already?”
Charity looked at her sister in disbelief.
“How can you even suggest such a thing?”
“What else am I supposed to think?” Augusta asked, “I can only come up with my own conclusions, since you decline to provide any. Is it because we do not entirely approve of your husband? At least, I don’t. Do you want to send me away so you can marry him in peace?”
“Augusta,” Charity mustered up the last of her patience. “I think you’re being very unfair right now, and I urge you to think clearly. Because this is just ridiculous. I would still want you at the wedding, because I am not marrying in secret, not now, not ever.”
“But then…” Augusta sighed, frustrated. “I just don’t understand why it’s so difficult for you to tell me. You’re hiding things, and you refuse to tell me. Why were you so scared for our well-being? Enough to send us away?”
Charity could hear the faintest trace of hurt in her sister's voice, and it broke her heart that it had come to this.
“You know that I am older than you, right?”
“Yes, you love to remind me,” Augusta rolled her eyes.
“And by virtue of that, can you please understand that there are some things that I must keep from you for your own good?” Charity said, feeling helpless.
“Was it Uncle who gave you that bruise?” Augusta asked, “Or was it, Duncan?”
“I am not telling you,” Charity said.
