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“And the infant?”
Sam paused, as if debating whether to tell her or not. When she looked up, he sighed and told her, “Apparently, the Earl was furious your sister had become pregnant with his child. After her death, he had the child disposed of. It was suffocated.”
A tear fell from each of Ivy’s eyes.
“The Earl’s son testified his father had been feeding Moira poison in hopes that she would miscarry the child. We believe it was the effects of the poison which ultimately killed your sister.”
She nodded, though it felt limp.
S
am went to reach for her, then caught himself short and drew his hands back. “Ivy, try and take comfort in the knowledge that they were buried together.”
A humorless chuckle escaped her lips. The only comfort Ivy received was knowing the Earl was dead. She could only hope it had been a painful death.
Lifting a hand, she swiped at the tears and found Sam watching her closely. There was concern in his expression.
“I had hoped that she had somehow survived as I had, but in my heart I’ve always known she was gone.”
He drew in a breath and would have said something, but the sound of a distant train whistle interrupted him.
Glancing in the train station’s direction, she impressed herself when she was able to produce a wobbly grin. “It looks like it’s on schedule today.”
When she looked back at him, there was so much sorrow in his eyes, she had to fight the urge to bury herself against his chest. The level of despair in his gaze had her wondering if it was for her and Moira, or for her and Sam.
She swallowed the painful lump in her throat. “Again, thank ye. This means a lot to me.”
“You’re welcome. I’m glad we were able to put some closure on this for you.”
She hated the way he said we. It sounded entirely too much as one.
“Goodbye.” With all her effort, she forced her hand out and offered it to him.
He stared at it, but did not take hold of it. When several seconds past, Ivy said, “Y-ye’re going to miss yer train.”
But still he did not move.
“Sam. . .” she whispered his name, unable to look him in the eye.
“Are you still going to Ireland?”
Her eyes fell to the formal letter still clutched in the opposite hand. Her eyes automatically sought out Moira’s name. None was found. The only mention of her was in reference to the bodies being positively identified. “No.”
“Ivy,” he muttered in anguish, and then leaned slightly forward to whisper. “Come with me. Please.”
She dropped her hand and brought her eyelids down hard over the growing tears. Unable to speak, she simply shook her head.
He sighed heavily. “All right. I guess this is goodbye then.”
“A-aye.”
He paused, then said, “I won’t forget you.”
“Nor I you.”
Without another word he took his leave. Only then did she raise her eyes and watch as he leaped onto a passing electric car. He turned to look back, but did not wave. Ivy was unable to tear her eyes from him as she watched the electric car crest the top of the road and disappear. Only then was she able to drag her gaze away and head for the prison. Every step she took were difficult steps. So great was the urge to spin back around and follow him instead.
But she could not allow herself to surrender to those impulses. It was choices like that which had gotten her into trouble in the past.
