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Katherine strode into the room, hands on her hips. Her light brown hair was arranged atop her head, and her floral red dress was paired with a green ribbon. “You cannot stay here all day.”

“Why not?” Leah asked in a weak voice.

Katherine sighed. “At least accompany Tom and me to Applebury if you cannot bear any other company.”

Leah nodded, her breath escaping in a sigh. “A trip to the village sounds delightful.”

Katherine smiled. “Then fetch your bonnet. We leave in ten minutes.”

She still felt wholly uncollected, but Leah took her brown bonnet in hand along with her leather gloves and followed Katherine out into the corridor. They made it to the base of the staircase before Leah’s secret burst out of her.

“I received a proposal.”

Katherine whirled around, her mouth hanging open. “I beg your pardon?”

Leah gripped her arm, pulling her away from the entry hall and down the antique passage. The long corridor was all cream stone from floor to ceiling, with dozens of busts lining both sides.

“Who proposed to you, Leah?” Katherine demanded, her voice wild with shock.

Leah stopped beside a particularly austere statue. She tried to speak quietly, but her voice echoed. “Mr. Hawthorne.”

Katherine covered her mouth, eyes wide. “Did you accept him?”

“Not yet.” Leah hadn’t expected her emotions to overflow so suddenly, but tears stung her eyes.

Katherine’s gaze softened, and she rested her hand on Leah’s shoulder. “I have wondered if there was something between the two of you. Do you feel anything for him?”

Leah gave a small nod, her throat tight. “A great deal.” She hadn’t admitted that to anyone.

“Then why did you refuse him?”

“I’m not certain of his feelings.” Leah wiped at the corner of her eye. “I see how my father loves my mother. I see how Tom loves you, and I—I cannot bear the thought of being a man’s second choice. I overheard Miss Benson in the drawing room. She said that Mr. Hawthorne proposed, and she rejected him.” Leah sniffed. “That was yesterday. How could he love me?”

Katherine’s brow wrinkled, a wave of sympathy crossing her face. “Oh, Leah. How could he not?” She wrapped her arms around her, holding the back of her head against her shoulder. “But I understand how you must feel. I do not blame you for having reservations. Will you be all right? Shall I send Tom to speak with him?”

“No.” Leah pulled back, shaking her head. “Please don’t worry about me. I will be all right. But I’m now certain that I won’t fulfill my end of our bargain in time.”

Katherine sighed. “My dear Leah. I could never withhold Switzerland from you now. I will take you with me next summer.”

Leah jerked backward in shock. “What?”

“I did say that you had to receive a proposal by Twelfth Night, did I not?”

Leah stared at her, trying to assess if she was serious. “I…well, I assumed I would have to go through with the marriage.”

“Yes, that would have been ideal, but I wish for you to find the love you deserve.” She squeezed Leah’s hands. “You seemed to have learned a great deal about what you want, and that is what matters most when it comes to choosing a husband. I am proud of you.”

Fresh tears escaped Leah’s eyes, and she hugged Katherine again. “You don’t have to do this.”

She waved a hand in front of her, rolling her eyes. “I always wanted you to come with us. Tom doesn’t appreciate the cottages and mountains the way you and I do.”

Leah’s spirits lifted, the tears in her eyes fading away. Her heart pounded fast. “You are too kind, Katherine. I-I truly cannot thank you enough.”

Her cousin’s eyes softened. “Do not forget—you deserve every happiness. Starting with a very, very large slice of gingerbread from Applebury.”

Leah cast her cousin a grateful smile, but her thoughts traveled back to the bundle of food Mr. Hawthorne had brought to her room.

It had been so kind.