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"I killed my brother."

Chapter Twenty-Three

"You must promise to write," she said, her voice trembling as she tried to smile. "Every day if you can." Olivia said to Louiza.

The next morning, the twins stood before Glenmore Manor with tears already gathering in their eyes as Hubert's carriage waited in the drive and servants loaded the last of Louiza's trunks into the boot.

The grey morning seemed particularly cruel, the sky heavy with clouds that matched Olivia's mood perfectly. She had known this moment was coming but knowing it had done nothing to make it easier.

Louiza stood before her in her travelling cloak, looking both excited and sorrowful, and Olivia reached for her hands.

Louiza laughed softly and squeezed her fingers. "I shall write, but you know I will see you in only a few weeks in London for your wedding."

"I know," Olivia whispered, blinking rapidly. "But that does not make it easy to part from you."

She had spent nearly her entire life with Louiza beside her, even during the years their mother had forced them into separate bedrooms. Somehow, they had always found a way to be together, sneaking into one another's rooms, whispering beneath blankets, sharing secrets that belonged to no one else. Now Olivia had a husband, a new home, a title and a baby she adored, yet the thought of her sister leaving made her feel like the frightened little girl who had once stood outside Louiza's bedroom door.

Louiza reached up and brushed away a tear from Olivia's cheek. "You saved me, sister," she said softly. "You saved me when no one else would. Now it is time I let you grow on your own, in thanks for everything you have done for me."

Olivia's tears finally spilled over, and she pulled Louiza into a tight embrace. "I do not know how to grow without you," she admitted against her sister's shoulder.

Louiza held her just as tightly. "You will learn," she murmured. "And you are not alone anymore."

Olivia closed her eyes, but Louiza's words stirred an uncomfortable thought.

Not alone.

She had not told her sister what James had confessed beside the waterfall about his brother. She had told herself there had been no opportunity, but that was not entirely true. The truth was that she did not know precisely what James had meant when he said, I killed my brother.

He had refused to explain anything further, leaving Olivia with a confession that raised more questions than it answered. She could not tell Louiza something she did not understand herself, and she certainly would not burden her sister with such a frightening secret on the morning she was leaving.

Olivia drew back and held Louiza by the shoulders, studying her beloved face.

"I shall miss you terribly," she said, forcing a smile through her tears.

Louiza smiled back. "And I shall miss you, too, but we shall see each other soon."

A servant approached quietly to announce that everything had been loaded, and Olivia's heart sank. The moment had arrived far too quickly. Hubert came forward and offered Louiza his hand as he helped her toward the carriage, and Olivia watched with a strange mixture of gratitude and sadness as her sister climbed inside.

Hubert paused before entering after her and looked toward Olivia.

"Take care of yourself," he said warmly, resting one hand briefly upon her shoulder.

Olivia managed a smile. "You take care of my sister."

Hubert gave a solemn nod. "With pleasure."

He climbed into the carriage, and Olivia turned as James approached his uncle. The two men exchanged a quiet farewell, James clasping Hubert's hand before stepping back.

Olivia watched them carefully, noticing the brief seriousness that passed between them. There was something else happening beneath the surface, she knew that now. James had secrets, Hubert knew some of them, and she had only recently discovered that one of those secrets involved a dead brother.

The carriage began to move, and Olivia stepped forward instinctively as Louiza leaned toward the window.

"Write to me!" Olivia called, raising a hand.

Louiza smiled through her own tears and waved. "I will!" she called back.

Olivia remained standing in the drive until the carriage disappeared beyond the gates, her hand slowly falling to her side. The estate suddenly seemed much larger without Louiza in it.