Page 4

Lady Shirley turned toward the door. "Say your goodbyes."

She swept from the parlor without another word, and the twins followed her into the hall. Olivia walked close beside Louiza, their shoulders nearly touching, both too stunned to speak.

Then a servant hurried toward them, stopping beside Lady Shirley with a respectful bow. "My lady, we are ready to load the trunks onto the carriage."

Olivia's stomach dropped.

The trunks? Of course there are trunks. Mother is not bluffing.

She watched as servants began carrying them down the grand staircase, one after another, their polished brass fittings catching the morning light. A travelling trunk, two smaller cases and several hatboxes passed before her eyes, each one making the truth more dreadful. Her mother had not been threatening them. She had planned everything. Louiza really was leaving within the hour.

"Louiza," Olivia whispered, grabbing her sister's hand.

Louiza squeezed her fingers. "Olivia, I do not want to go."

"I know."

"I am frightened," Louiza said.

"I know," Olivia repeated, though her own heart was hammering so violently she thought it might escape through her stays.

Lady Shirley approached them, and Olivia instinctively moved closer to Louiza. "Come along," her mother said.

Before Olivia could understand what was happening, Lady Shirley seized one of her arms while Lord Shirley took the other.

"Wait!" Olivia protested, twisting against them. "What are you doing?"

"We are merely making sure you do not cause trouble," Lady Shirley replied calmly.

Olivia looked over her shoulder toward Louiza. "Louiza!"

"Send your regards to your sister," Lady Shirley said to Louiza as though the girl were leaving for an afternoon walk.

"Do not dare!" Olivia cried, struggling harder. "I have not said goodbye!"

Louiza's face crumpled. "Olivia!"

Their hands slipped apart. That was the worst part.

Olivia was dragged toward the parlor, staring back desperately as Louiza remained in the hall.

"Louiza, I promise you …" she began, but the door shut between them before she could finish.

Lady Shirley turned the key in the lock.

"There," she said coldly. "I shall not take any chances of you sneaking out after her. I have had enough of my runaway daughters. Your sister Amelia running away was enough to try my nerves."

Olivia stared at the closed door. Then she exploded.

"Open this door!" she shouted, pounding both fists against it. "Mama, open it at once! This is ridiculous!"

No answer came.

She struck the door again, though it was considerably sturdier than she was. "I am twenty-two years old! You cannot lock me in a room like a naughty child!"

Silence. Olivia stopped.

She stood in the middle of the parlor, breathing hard, her hands aching. Her anger was so fierce. Of all the absurd situations in which she had ever found herself, being imprisoned by her mother because she loved her twin seemed likely to rank among the most ridiculous. Unfortunately, it was also among the most serious.