Olivia gave a small nod. “I am grateful for that.”
Crosby turned to her with a bow. “My apologies, my lady. I’ve not had the pleasure. I am Mr. Crosby and I was hired by Lord Wilton to investigate your husband’s whereabouts.”
Olivia offered a composed smile. “Thank you for what you did, Mr. Crosby.”
Turning back to Richard, the Bow Street Runner said, “Miss Smith will remain in Newgate until her trial. She is being charged with vagrancy. You may wish to speak to the magistrate to see if you can influence the outcome and contain the scandal.”
“I shall,” Richard said tightly.
Crosby bowed once more. “If there is nothing further, I’ll take my leave.”
Richard gave no protest. There was nothing more to say.
When the door shut behind the Bow Street Runner, silence settled once again in the hall. A silence broken only by Olivia’s voice. “Now do you see the error of your ways?”
Richard’s shoulders sagged. “I may have… misjudged her.”
“‘May have’?” Olivia repeated incredulously. “You accused her, shouted at her, and called her a liar. Yet she did nothing wrong. You didn’t just misjudge her—you wronged her.”
He turned back towards the window, his voice hollow. “Yes. I was wrong. Is that what you want to hear?”
“No,” Olivia said. “What I want is for you to go after her. To apologize. To tell her the truth and to beg for her forgiveness.”
“I don’t beg.”
“Then it’s a good thing she left,” Olivia said flatly. “Because you don’t deserve her.”
He turned to her. “You think it’s as simple as saying I’m sorry? That I can undo everything with one conversation?”
“No,” she responded. “But you can try. Because you care for her, Richard. You can pretend you don’t, but I see it. Everyone sees it.”
He looked away, unable to meet his sister’s gaze. “I ruined everything. She gave me her trust and I destroyed it.”
Olivia stepped forward and touched his sleeve. “It’s never too late to make amends. There is nothing more beautiful than finding someone who wants your all. Even if your all is a mess. And trust me, you are a mess, Richard.”
“It is too late.”
“Perhaps, but do you not owe it to yourself to at least try?”
He let out a bitter laugh. “I can’t offer for her now. My name is already teetering on the edge of ruin. I need a bride with a spotless reputation.”
Olivia’s brow arched. “And you think a young lady with aspotless reputation would want you? Titles may carry weight, but so do scandals—and let us not forget, I was the one who dragged our family’s name through the mud.”
“I have to try to restore it,” he said stubbornly.
She gave him a long, searching look. “Not if it costs you your happiness. Don’t fix one mistake by making another.”
“But I have to try.”
“Just for a moment, set aside your duty and ask yourself one question. Who made you feel alive again? Who made you smile when you thought you couldn’t?” Olivia asked.
Richard stared past her, out the window again—though the drive was empty now. “Even if I went after her, do you think she would forgive me?”
“I think,” Olivia said softly, “that if you find the courage to speak from your heart… she might just let you try.”
Their mother’s voice came from the stairs, drawing his attention. “Olivia is right,” she started, “but only you can decide if Miss Theodosia is worth fighting for.”
He swallowed. “What would Father say?”
