Silence stretched between them, and Juliet shook her head. “There has to be some way to fix this.”
“You can’t fix something that never worked in the first place, Jules.” Archer made a dismissive motion with his hand. “Just leave me alone. My head is pounding, and I do not feel like speaking to anyone.”
His sister stiffened and nodded, leaving the room without another word. The slam of the door was the only sign that she was angry with him.
“It seems that is an ever-growing list.” Archer’s eyes drifted to the falling snow outside, towards the dowager house, and his heart sank like the flakes in front of his window.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“He is miserable, Lydia. Completely and utterly beside himself.” Cora shook her head. “He has not left his study since you left, and that was four days ago.”
Lydia’s heart twisted, imagining the kind of state Archer must be in, but she pushed it away. He had made his choice, and she would make hers.
“He could have stopped this, Cora. If he had wanted me to stay, all he had to do was ask. But he did not.”And I gave him so many chances to, but my heart cannot take this anymore.She swallowed, wiping at her eyes to prevent the tears from falling.
“But Lydia, you know as well as I do that men are complete and utter idiots when it comes to this sort of thing, surely you can—” Cora began but Lydia cut her off.
“No, Cora. I have spent my life putting men first and myself second. I am done with it.”
I don’t care how wild he makes my heart; I am not going to put myself second. Not for him.She had given Archer his chance—no, his chances—and what had she got in return? Them thrown in her face and a broken heart.
Cora shook her head, running her hands through her hair in a motion so like her brother’s that it made Lydia’s heart break just a little bit more. “But you are clearly miserable as well. Don’t think I haven’t noticed.”
“I am hardly trying to hide it.” Lydia pointed out dryly.
“So then why are you putting yourself through this? Surely it would be better to come home and work this all out?” Cora’s eyes lit up only for Lydia to extinguish her hope with a sharp shake of her head.
“There is nothing to work out. I asked him if he wanted to be with me, and he told me it was not worth it.” Lydia’s mouth curled, and she continued before Cora could voice her outrage, “I am not telling you this to turn you against him: he is your brother, and he has made his own choices.”
We all make choices.She pushed Archer’s voice from her mind.Go away.
“But he is being an idiot! It has been clear for ages that you two belong together,” Cora exclaimed.
“I think you have just been seeing what you want to see. If we really belonged together, then we would be together.” Lydia tried to ignore the memory of Archer’s arms around her, the ecstasy of his kiss, but her body had other ideas.
Cora shook her head in disgust, but her tone was teasing. “Or you could be two donkeys who seem determined to be miserable without each other.”
“But at least I do not have to be miserable with him. I can just focus on my own misery. Besides, it is getting a little easier as the days go on.” She tried to give her sister-in-law a reassuring smile, but Cora saw right through it.
“You will have to become a better liar than that if you expect me to believe you, Lydia.” Cora gave her an affectionate hug. “Besides, it is not just Dash who misses you. We all do, especially little Iris.”
“And what about you?” Lydia teased.
“Of course, I miss you. You’re the only one who seems to be able to get us all to get along together. You manage to get Dash to relax a little bit. Well, quite a lot actually, and before, only Iris could do that.” She gave Lydia’s shoulders a little squeeze. “And you always make us smile. More to the point, I don’t see why you should have to live in this musty cottage when by all accounts, it is my brother who has been the prize idiot.”
“It is still his house, Cora,” Lydia pointed out diplomatically as she gestured to the space around her. “And I like this cottage. Itfeels like it is mine. I have practically rebuilt it from the ground up, and it is small and cozy.”
“I think you mean poky and damp.” Cora wrinkled her nose. “No offence.”
Lydia knew that Cora was not trying to be harsh; she missed her and wanted to goad her into coming home.I am not so easily bated, Cora.
“It is not damp, and I like small things. It makes me feel at home. And at least I am not going to spend my life getting lost.”
“Please, you hardly ever get lost now. And your kitchen is… Well, it isn’t wonderful.” Cora looked meaningfully at the picnic basket she had brought with her.
“I do miss a good cook,” Lydia admitted. “I only have a limited allowance, and I need to be careful with it. Bread and cheese is more than plenty of people have.”
“You know Dash would give you the money you needed if you asked.” Cora’s brow furrowed.
