Page 52 of One Waltz with the Viscount

‘You never knew where I was? That I was safe and well?’ Selina asked, turning back to Sarah.

‘How could I? The last letter you sent you made no mention of Sir William at all. I have been searching for some clue as to where you disappeared to for weeks.’ She couldn’t even properly summon the anger she knew she should be feeling towards Lady Kingsley for interfering with Selina’s letters, she was just so pleased to have finally found her.

‘You must have been so worried. And now you have lost your position in Kent. I’m sorry Sarah, I never meant for things to turn out this way.’

‘I am just pleased nothing terrible has happened to you.’

Selina took her hand and looked into her eyes. ‘I am fine, Sarah.’

‘Perhaps you would like a few minutes together, just the two of you,’ Sir William said, motioning to doors at the side of the room, which led out onto a terrace overlooking the garden.

Sarah was momentarily taken aback by the show of kindness from Sir William—their father—but quickly composed herself. She gripped her sister’s hand, pulling her outside, wanting to hear everything.

They sat on a little bench surrounded by flowers in a beautifully designed garden. It felt peaceful out here in the shade and Sarah was glad of a few minutes to gather her thoughts.

‘Who is that extremely attractive man you arrived with?’ Selina asked, glancing over her shoulder. Sarah suddenly felt a pang of protectiveness. She and Selina had been born twelve minutes apart, with her the elder, but Selina had more than made up for being younger in many other ways. She was everyone’s favourite, her personality naturally happy and vibrant, so people were drawn towards her. She was prettier too. Sarah had never begrudged her sister her attributes, but she felt a surge of jealousy now. Lord Routledge could not have failed to notice that Selina was the more personable and more beautiful of the Shepherd sisters.

‘Lord Routledge. He has assisted me in my quest to find you.’ She waved a dismissive hand, not wanting Selina to focus on Henry for too long. ‘How has it been, living here? I cannot believe they stopped your letters from getting to me.’

‘Father says we must be discreet for all our sakes, but most especially for Catherine. She is his daughter with Lady Kingsley.’

‘We have a half-sister?’

Selina pulled a face. ‘I would not get too excited. She is absolutely rotten. She hates me and she does not mind letting her feelings be known.’

‘What about Sir William? Has he been kind to you?’

Selina considered, and Sarah was disappointed to see it wasn’t an instant affirmative.

‘To a degree. He agreed I could stay here and get to know him a little, if I was very careful about keeping secret who I am. I got the sense he would rather I wasn’t here, but he’s worried I will go and shout my identity to the world if he does not allow me to stay.’

‘Surely that would not be catastrophic for him?’

She shrugged. ‘I don’t know the details, but there has been a lot of talk about a peerage. I think he does not want anything to jeopardise his chances.’

‘I’m sorry they have not been more welcoming.’

‘I confess that I had hoped he would have denied knowing that we existed, and been happy for my appearance in his life, but I did not really expect that. He knew our mother was pregnant when he cast her aside, and he knew we were living, scraping by on a small income, in Sussex. I have no illusion that he is keen to be our father, but I think I have a chance here, Sarah.’

‘A chance for what?’

‘To get to know him, perhaps build a relationship with him.’

‘Is that what you want?’

‘Yes. Very much.’

‘Even when they treat you like this.’

‘It is not so bad. Lady Kingsley should not have destroyed my letters to you, but I am treated as a house guest at the moment. It has been dull at times, as I am not invited to go out and socialise, but I do understand why that has to be the case.’

Sarah just felt so relieved that her sister was safe and well she did not argue too much. In her heart she did not think this was going to end well, but she knew her sister, and she knew Selina would not listen to her warning. She had to find out for herself. If someone told her not to do something she would stick at it twice as long, just to make her point.

‘Do not let them mistreat you.’

‘I will not.’ Selina paused. ‘Will you stay with me?’

Sarah didn’t answer straight away, even though she was clear on her response. She did not want it to seem like she didn’t want to spend time with Selina.