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“Wonderful! This way, my lord,” she said, taking his arm and shooting her sister a cat-that-ate-the-cream smile.
“I believe your sister is contemplating murder,” he said as soon as they were safely away.
“I do not doubt it,” she replied. “She has spoken to me very little since your party.”
He chuckled. “You certainly know how to upset her composure. Still, she handled it well on the surface.”
“She handles everything well on the surface. It is what lies beneath that has me worried. Withy,” she said, stopping to face him. “I hope things go well for you with Amelia. But if they do not”—she paused, feeling awkward—“well, I only ask that you give some warning if in the end you decide not to pursue her. Enough time so that we may find a way to—”
“You’ve no need for concern,” he interrupted gently. “I would sooner cut out my own heart than do her harm. My only wish is to show her a happier world than the one in which she now lives. If I do, perhaps she will want to share in it with me. She deserves to be happy.”
A lump formed in her throat. “If only she would relax and allow herself to enjoy life again, to enjoy people. She tries to make it appear as though she’s content being an untouchable island, but I know better.”
“Life is indeed about relationships,” he said, nodding.
“Exactly. Without them, what is the point?” She thought back to happier days, days when
their house rang with the laughter of friends. “Amelia doesn’t have any close friends. Not anymore. She used to have quite a tight circle, but they’re all married now and have gone on with their lives. They left her behind when she no longer seemed to care about them. Those she now calls friends are really only acquaintances. I am ashamed to say that I am probably no closer to her than that lot. It saddens me to think that I don’t know my own sister anymore.”
“People handle grief differently,” he offered. “For some, comfort is found in the company of friends. For others, it is found in solitude. Amelia has simply grown accustomed to her self-imposed isolation.”
“When our mother grew ill, Amelia began to shut me out. I have never been able to get back in. If I cannot, then what hope have you?”
“There is always hope. You see only a closed door, but I’ve had a glimpse of the room behind that door through the keyhole. There is joy and light there, a whole world of it just waiting to be unlocked. I have but to find the key.”
She shook her head. “I wish I could see what you see.”
“It is all a matter of perspective.”
Perspective…“We must get to the balcony!” She grabbed his hand and ran. Upon reaching the balcony, she rushed over to the balustrade and sure enough, there they were waiting directly below.
“Did you show our guest the entire house?” pounced Amelia.
“Oh, dear!” Victoria exclaimed, clapping a hand to her chest. “Were you waiting for us? I vow the minutes have never passed so quickly, but such is the nature of time when one is in good company, I suppose.”
Her sister’s face darkened, but her tone remained cheery. “Come and join us in the rose garden. It’s far too lovely out here for anyone to remain indoors.”
Turning back, Victoria gave Withington an I-told-you-so look and led him back down. “Remember now, it must appear genuine,” she whispered as they crossed the lawn. “Your behavior should be suitably bold—but not so alarming that it launches any premature wedding plans.”
Withington missed a step and stumbled. “W—wedding plans?”
Stopping, she faced him. “She will only take the bait if the danger appears real. We must maintain the illusion.”
“Very well,” he conceded grudgingly. “A peck on the cheek and some suggestive poetry ought to do it, don’t you think?”
She winced. At his quizzical expression she elaborated. “Amelia believes that you’ve already taken liberties. She saw us coming out of the labyrinth at the ball, and—”
“Bloody hell!” He ran a hand through his hair, mussing it.
“Indeed. I fear you have little choice but to live up to your black reputation.”
“My black repu—”
“At least in appearance,” she insisted. “You can allow her to ‘reform’ you later. In the meantime, I’ll provide several opportunities for you to misbehave. You must follow through and make her believe that you truly mean to ruin me. It is the only way.”
His shoulders slumped, but he nodded.
She released him just as they passed beneath the garden’s arbor gate and, letting out a small yelp, hopped away giggling. “My lord, I am quite shocked!” she said, playfully rapping his arm with her fan.
