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The call of the redwings echoed across the night sky, a sound she once would’ve delighted in. Instead, she strained to hear if Mama had stopped weeping. Her mother had put on a brave front for Lord Sterling the other day, but when Eden had entered the cottage after his departure, she found her mother inconsolable.

Mama had been in that state since, crying herself to sleep every night.

For once, Eden couldn’t dredge up assurances that they would be all right. She couldn’t promise Mama anything.

Restless, tense, unresolved about what she was going to do, Eden rose. Across the way, Lake Blackton shimmered under the rising fairy moon. The cool air felt wonderful on her flushed face. No destination in mind, she wandered the path through the orchard, then continued on toward the lake. She rarely came this far anymore—hadn’t in years—but this evening, something drew her onward.

It might’ve only been the desire to escape the melancholy that had settled on the cottage—a thick, stifling shroud of despair.

Such anger toward Simon roiled within, the hostility alarmed her. Made her loathe herself for the ugly thoughts invading her brain. She wanted to shout at the injustice. Throw dishes across the room. Slap his smug face. She could do none of those things, so she walked, swiftly and mindlessly to expend her frustrated energy and expel the demons taunting her.

Four more days.

That’s all they had.

A decision must be made.

A decision had been made.

One born of utter hopelessness and despair.

A numbing calmness cloaked her, dispelling her anxiety and quieting her tumultuous musings. And also, effectively nullifying any foolish romantic notions she’d entertained.

As generous as Lord Sterling’s offer of service had been, to accept meant crossing several boundaries. Gossip and rumors would run rampant. Worse, though, would be residing in the same house as The Duke of DeCourcy.

Perhaps if his lordship had offered her use of The Lake House, she might’ve seriously considered his generous proposal despite the impropriety. But exposing Mama to the duke’s enmity was inconceivable. She’d endured too much unhappiness already, and her remaining years should be spent in comfort. Not the target of a contemptible ill-tempered brute.

Besides, Mama couldn’t live in London part of the year. She couldn’t tolerate the sooty, polluted air, and leaving her at Perygrim—anywhere for that matter—was out of the question. You didn’t abandon an ailing parent.

With no other viable options, practicality, combined with a great deal of desperation, had finally convinced Eden of what she must do.

“I can do it. I must,” she muttered to herself as she strode the path.

Faithful as always, Mr. Wiggles trotted beside her.

A rueful smile bent her mouth.

At least with this solution, she wouldn’t have to give up her pets along with everything else.

Tomorrow, she’d go into Newbury and accept Vicar Wright’s proposal.

There was nothing else for it.

Throat tight, she swallowed and angrily dashed at the tears tracking over her cheeks. She’d be a good wife to Jedidiah. She would. She was frugal and kind. Patient most of the time. A decent cook, and she could sew a straight seam. She’d try to be a loving mother to his daughters, seven-year-old Emma and ten-year-old Dorothy.

As if her subconscious mind knew her ponderings all along, she found herself at the small lake’s edge. The Lake Cottage, also painted white like Briar Knoll except it was considerably bigger, glowed bright in the moonlight. Bright because lights shone in the windows that had been dark for years.

Who was in residence?

A visitor?

Lord Sterling?

Where the lawn tapered downward, a dock extended into the lake, much like the landing on this side. There floated the small pier where she’d fallen into the lake and almost drowned.

She did remember, vividly, how terrified she’d been.

Eden picked up a handful of blackish stones, then as she walked the shoreline, tossed them into the water, watching until each ripple disappeared before throwing another in. She lifted her hand to send the last smooth rock sailing into the peaceful water, when a big splash drew her attention to the dock.