Page 64 of A Rogue to Forget

“Hello, Hannah.” A man’s voice made her jump and Hannah whirled to find that Jules had entered. “The front door was open.”

Despite everything, she was glad to see him. “I am in the process of moving out.” She studied her half-brother for a long moment. “Why are you here?”

“I saw the carriage and decided to stop. I hoped it was you who was here.”

“Why?” She looked to the doorway where Silas stood and waved him away. “I am fine.”

Jules’s gaze moved to where Silas had stood. “I am glad to see you have someone to keep you safe.”

They would perhaps never get to know each other in a way lost siblings did. Hannah wasn’t sure how she felt about Jules. A part of her wished for a relationship, but then she wondered how detrimental it would be to her new family.

“I am here to go through one last time and ensure to take what I want. I am torn about some things, as I know they will be out of place in my new home.”

He came and stood next to her to study the painting. “Like this?”

“No, I am taking this one. Father gifted it to my…our mother one anniversary. It will be displayed at my house. It is small items like this.” She motioned to a black and white sketch of two hands, fingers intertwined. “I never understood why this was so special to mother.”

“I do,” Jules said, walking closer to it. He pointed to a scribble on the bottom right and Hannah neared.

The initials instantly stood out. “H.B.”

“Oh.” Hannah’s mouth fell open. Through all this, her mother had kept something from her first relationship.

“Father was artistic,” Jules said, still looking at the sketch. “I have several pieces he did. Most of them like this, devoid of color.”

“Why so stark?” Hannah asked.

“He was colorblind.”

In that moment, Hannah realized she wanted to know more about Jules. To know about her mother’s life prior to marrying her father.

“Would you like to go with me to visit Mother?” Hannah wasn’t sure why she’d asked and if it was the wise thing to do. What she did know was that perhaps, them coming together to see her would ease the burden and help her mother recover.

Jules let out a long breath and seemed to consider it.

“I believe it would help her. She is not well, is overburdened with guilt.”

Instead of a reply, he walked to the French doors. “I have always wanted a garden. Not sure if I can keep it as nice as in its current state.”

“You are who offered to buy the house.”

Jules nodded, his gaze sliding to her as if to ascertain if she was pleased or not.

“Did you have my father killed?” Hannah’s throat constricted.

“I did not wish it to happen. It is my fault that it did.”

A tear trickled down her cheek and she brushed them away. “I am not sure if I can ever forgive you.”

“I understand,” Jules replied. “Know that I am so very sorry.”

They stood next to each other looking out, not speaking.

“I will go with you if it helps our mother.” Jules finally replied. “To assure her what happened was not her fault.”

Hannah wanted to hit him, to demand that he turn himself in. However, she knew he would not. Instead, she nodded. “Good.”

*