Lowry’s face fell.
I recognized the guilt there because it had become such a familiar feeling these many months. “I love her, Lowry.” I hadn’t told her yet, but I would—soon. “If you would have opened the letters I sent you instead of returning them, you would know that already.”
Lowry shook his head. “She is already engaged.”
“What if she chooses me instead?” I did not know for certain, but if I were still a betting man, I would stake a great deal of money on it.
“Of course, she’ll choose you. That woman has been an emotional watering pot since leaving Rosemont,” Lowry growled. He set his hands on top of his hair, mussing it. “Hanover waited all this time for her. He’s traveled farther than you too. I am not very happy about this.”
I would not be either if I were in his position. The poor man was not himself—not after losing his sister and just finding her again.
“Your feelings are valid, Lowry. Anyone would be upset.”
“Can you not be a gentleman and step aside?” he begged.
I shook my head. “Not this time. I am determined.”
“Just capital,” Lowry sighed. “I never should have left Estelle’s side.”
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
He eyed me long and hard before dragging his gaze to his impressive manor house. “It was not easy being here without my parents. I was not ready for all the responsibility. I thought finding Estelle a good man to marry was doing my duty.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me,” I said. “I have my own failings.”
Lowry crossed his arms. “What am I to do? This is a disaster.”
My lips curled into a small smile. “How about you start by giving me your permission?”
I had hoped to find another moment alone with Estelle, but once Hanover joined the party, it was impossible. I had so much I needed to say. We had said all we could through stares across the room, and brushed fingers together in passing from one room to the next. Granted, I had tried to make those moments worthwhile.
Now it was time for a more concrete plan. Since I had already forced myself upon the household, sneaking around in the dead of night did not seem to be too much more of an imposition. Once I found the kitchen, I searched their larder for the right supplies. I set everything out on the kitchen table. Lowry would no doubt huff and puff if he saw the liberties I was taking. When I finished lining up the bread, jam, cheese, and two plates, I took a seat and waited.
I wasn’t certain if Estelle would come. She had scarcely touched her dinner, so I trusted that her hunger might lead her to me. The kitchen was smaller than Rosemont’s, but it was still an adequate size. A clockhung above a door to the side yard, and I watched it as it ticked a quarter hour and then to the half hour.
If I was smart, I would retire to bed. I shed my jacket and draped it on the end of the bench at the table. Leaning my elbows on the table, I set my jaw in my hands. I might as well get comfortable. Apparently, I am more stubborn than smart.
I started to drift off when a door creaked open from the top of the stairs leading to the rest of the house. My mind sharpened and I sat up straight. I heard her soft footfalls before I saw the whole of her. Her nightgown stuck out beneath her long cream wrapper, and her long raven hair was pulled back into a braid again. I grinned. It was like falling back in time to the night she had surprised me in the larder. Or perhapsIhad surprisedher.
“Atlas?” Estelle hurried down the rest of the steps.
I hadn’t realized my own feet had been moving toward her. When we met, I did what I had resisted since I had arrived and wrapped her in my arms.
Holding her was heaven.
She curled her own arms around my middle and relaxed into me with a sweet sigh. Finally. It had been too long, and I was completely to blame for it. After a long moment, I pulled back. There was much that needed to be said. But first things first. “Hungry?”
“Very.”
I took her hand in mine and led her to the table. “Courtesy of Norwood Hall larder—I present our bedtime feast.”
Estelle laughed. “You are a godsend! I am half-starved.” She went straight for the bread and jam. I added a chunk of cheese to her plate for good measure.
She picked it up. “Cheers.”
I lifted my own cheese and met hers with it. “Cheers.”
I slid onto the bench beside her, our shoulders touching as we ate. It was such a simple pleasure, eating beside her, but it brought me an unreasonable amount of joy.
