Fighting tears, Madeline picked up her skirts and walked slowly up the stairs to Diana’s bedchamber.
Two days later, after Lord Blackthorne had spent the better part of each one talking to Diana, she surprised everyone by asking to take supper downstairs at the dining table.
Hilary spared nothing in preparing her ladyship for dinner. She washed her hair and swept it into a spectacular twist on top of her head, helped her into her best silk gown and draped her in her most exquisite jewels.
Adam carried Diana down, and she sat across from Lord Blackthorne while Madeline and Penelope served the meal. The whole family was present except for Mary and Jacob, who were now living in their own home, and the conversation was light and full of laughter.
“You still remembernothingfrom the flood?” Lord Blackthorne asked over dessert, leaning forward with fascination. “Even after Madeline described it all to you again today? What a remarkable situation. Does it trouble you greatly, Lady Thurston?”
Diana raised her wineglass. “No, it is truly the least of my troubles. How can one regret what one cannot remember? To put it simply, I really don’t know what I am missing.”
Lord Blackthorne laughed uproariously. “Oh, what a wit you have, Lady Thurston, and after such an ordeal. I am both dazzled and moved by your courage and fortitude.”
Madeline glanced across the table at Adam. He was watching her. Studying her. She felt exposed, as if he knew every thought she was having, even though for the past two days they had not spoken a word to each other.
In many respects, she was an open book to him now, no matter how hard she tried to keep herself closed off to the world. He knew she was aching from a botched attempt to reconcile with her sister. He knew she loved him, but was afraid to give in to it.
She hated that open feeling. It was strange and unfamiliar to her.
Adam slowly blinked and turned his cool gaze away from her. She could see how angry he was in the set of his jaw, the way he squeezed his spoon. He did not even want to look at her now. He had finally accepted that she was not the person he thought she was, and he could not change her.
Her entire being flooded with sadness at that moment, and a profound sense of loss. The loss of hope.
Was it too late to become that person? she wondered suddenly, knowing that he was right about so many things. Shewasafraid, and she was clinging to something that no longer existed. She had tried to reconcile with Diana, and Diana had rejected her.
Was Madeline going to allow that rejection to destroy her and stop her from finding happiness somewhere else? It was true: Madeline was using duty as an excuse to run from what could be the best thing that ever happened to her.
She gazed with fresh eyes at her sister, and felt she was seeing her for the first time.
Diana giggled and gave the viscount a sweet, humble smile.
Madeline felt her own courage and fortitude rising. Perhaps there was still a chance.
After dinner, Adam carried Diana into the parlor and she entertained everyone with her talents at the pianoforte. Madeline turned the sheet music for her, while Diana sang a ballad and a few old English folk songs, bowing her head appreciatively at the applause after each piece.
Adam then carried her to the sofa, where she sat with Lord Blackthorne, telling him more about her life in England as Lady Thurston, and how she had spent her days there.
From her chair in the corner of the parlor, Madeline noticed Penelope yawn and knew she should take the children upstairs. She collected them, they said good-night, then she escorted them to the stairs. She stopped, however, when she heard Adam address her from the parlor door.
“You’ll return?” he said in a cool, formal tone.
She hesitated a moment, staring into the intense blue eyes that never failed to set her insides afire.
Adam continued to gaze at her, waiting for her answer. Now was the time to act, if she was ever to find her own happiness. Yes. She would act. She would talk to him tonight. Try to fix things.
A knock rapped at the door. Madeline jumped. Adam seemed startled, too. He turned to answer it.
Madeline waited at the bottom of the stairs to see who had come calling at this hour. As Adam opened the door, the bright pink of the final rays of the sunset momentarily blinded her before she could ascertain that the man at the door was John Metcalf.
Adam cleared his throat. “Hello, John.”
John removed his tricorn hat. “Evening, Mr. Coates. I know it’s late, but I wonder if I might have a word with Miss Oxley.”
“This isn’t really the best time, John. As you can see, Lord Blackthorne is here, and—”
“I know you have visitors, sir, and I’m sorry for intruding, but I just couldn’t wait.”
For a long, tense moment, Adam stood in the doorway, barring John from entering, then he finally stepped aside. John nodded gratefully and entered. His gaze fell upon Madeline at the other end of the hall, and she froze there, not sure what she was feeling.
