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His sniff told her everything she needed to know. He did not believe her. “Ye just don’t remember ’er like I do.”

Livvy stared longingly at the door, knowing the others were no doubt waiting for her now. But she needed to speak. She needed to voice the truth.

“I do remember ’er, Father. And I like to think I ’ave more in common with ye than I e’er did with ’er.”

He didn’t respond. Did he not wish to be compared to Livvy? Did he not wish to see the truth?

“After tonight, ye’ll see,” he said.

“See what?”

He looked out the window, as if staring off into the past. “Ye’ll see how similar ye be to ’er once ye go off the Mount. That be what made ’er realize how un’appy she be ’ere—havin’ the life she ’ad ’fore marryin’ me. Livin’ with a greater society, more friends.” He nodded, as if to reaffirm his words. “When ye meet others off the Mount, ye’ll see what a better life ye can ’ave than ’ere. Ye’ll see.”

Livvy winced. She wouldn’t. She wouldn’t ever feel that way. But how could she explain that to Father? Unless, of course, she finally went this evening and returned with the fact that she still wished to live on the Mount.

Would that then end this ridiculous comparison to Mother—this fear that she would be like her?

The voices outside beckoned her once again.

“I must go, Father,” she said. “Thank ye for your advice. I’ll remember it.”

He nodded in silence without another glance back, so with a heavy sigh, Livvy made for the front door.

Pausing with her hand on the knob, she drew a deep breath, attempting to push aside the heavy feeling Father had once more lobbed upon her.

Tonight was supposed to be perfect, and it still could be. All she needed to do was focus on the joy she’d felt before. The joy she looked forward to feeling as she danced with August. And the hope she had that all her woes would be taken away and replaced with peace that evening.

Because with August, she knew they could be.

CHAPTER FORTY

“There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends.”

Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen

August was the first to look at the door when Livvy opened it. Though that came as no surprise. He had been unable to remove his eyes from the door since the moment he’d stepped outside and the group had started to gather near his home.

It was a tradition they’d participated in for years—those attending the assemblies and balls on the mainland would come together in front of the Moons before making the journey together across the causeway, whether by boat or by foot. Each year made for fun, enjoyment, and delight.

But this year was different. Instead of the excitement he typically felt and had missed while he was working in Bath and Coniston, he experienced only dread at the prospect of attending the assembly. For in the days since he’d seen Livvy at the Giant’s Heart—the days he’d spent avoiding her at all costs—he’d come to the realization that none of this—agreeing to Mr. May’s terms, keeping secrets for his friends, being dishonest with Livvy—was worth it if she was hurt in the end. So he had made up his mind to tell her the truth.

All of it.

And yet, as she walked outside of her home, the look of vulnerability across her stunning features accentuated even more by her lovely hair and perfectly fitted gown, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to manage a single word around her in her state.

Such a perfect, flawless, beautifully blue state. Had she worn that color of gown to spite Portia? He’d worn his waistcoat of the color for that very reason.

Honestly, how was he to endure this evening, watching her dance with countless men while never being able to dance with her himself? For that was precisely what Mr. May had asked him to do.

“Ye must ensure she dances with only men from off the Mount,” Mr. May had told him only that morning in the gardens. August had tried to avoid him but to no avail. “That includes ye, too.”

Had Mr. May started to suspect something between August and Livvy? August couldn’t be sure. At this point, however, he didn’t know why Mr. May would care. It wasn’t as if the man would allow his daughter to remain with August anyway. He would force her away whether she was miserable or not.

Just as Mr. May would force August to watch this beautiful, unique woman dance with every eligible man on the mainland. Or worse…August would be forced to watch her fall in love with someone on the mainland.

As his thoughts continued to race, Livvy’s eyes met with his, wide and unassuming, but clearly seeking his approval.

Oh, how he approved. And oh, how he loved her.