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“…you two owe me a debt of gratitude,” she went on. “For obviously, you are most enamored with each other. And equally obviously, it is me who had the foresight, indeed, it could almost be described as beneficent clairvoyance, to arrange your marriage.”
Loren did not make note that the woman had no idea I existed therefore she couldn’t possibly have done that.
He said, “Lady Mary, rest assured, you have my undying gratitude.”
Aww!
“As it should be,” she snipped.
I swallowed back laughter.
Loren’s fingers closed around mine and he tucked my hand close to his chest.
I looked up at his profile, his strong jaw, his long lashes, and my heart squeezed knowing Mom and me…
We were never, ever going home.
I was never leaving him.
I was in deep with him.
And he needed me.
So I was going nowhere.
Fortunately, from our discussion before it all went down last night, I knew Mom agreed with this.
So we were set.
We were here, and here we would stay.
And I couldn’t say I didn’t grieve our family, my friends, the concept that I’d never again drink a Diet Coke.
But the truth of it was, at this point, if I was given a choice, I would choose here.
Maxine.
Ansley.
And Loren.
As the ride was short, on this thought, it was over, I knew this as the carriage swayed to a halt.
And as was obviously her wont, Aunt Mary didn’t delay in bringing the drama.
She released the catch on the door, kicked it open with her boot, and shouted to Edgecomb, one of our footmen, who was currently racing to the carriage, “You there! Stop dallying! See to these steps this instant!”
I couldn’t swallow that giggle.
Loren gave my fingers a squeeze on his chuckle.
We were then treated to the highly enjoyable show of Aunt Mary trying to exit the carriage at the same time keep a hat on her head that was bigger than the door to said carriage.
She managed it.
Loren alighted before me so he could help me out as Edgecomb was escorting Aunt Mary to our front door, which was thrown open before she climbed the second step.
“Auntie Mary!” Maxine cried, darting down the steps.
I stopped dead.
I’d never seen her so animated.
They embraced.
I heard Aunt Mary mumble, “My beauteous beauty.”
Maxine sprung back.
“You’re here!”
“I am, my dearest,” Mary confirmed.
“You met Sattie and Lorie?” she asked.
“Lorie?” Loren murmured.
I pressed tighter to his side, overwhelmed by this.
The doctor had said we needed to be patient. That Maxine would respond to stability, begin to sense she was loved and being looked after, and then she would blossom. That the more she was around the people with whom she’d be sharing her life, even if she wasn’t directly interacting with them, the more comfortable she would be, and the more she would come out of her shell.
Loren hadn’t been around that much, but he was around.
Thus, it seemed the doc knew what he was talking about.
“Yes, my darling girl,” Mary responded.
“She’s my sister!” Maxine exclaimed excitedly.
Oh shit.
I was going to cry.
Loren dropped my hand and wrapped his arm around me.
“Indeed, she is, my dear,” Aunt Mary replied.
But her voice was weird.
This made me focus on her.
She was now gazing up the steps to where Mom was standing, Carling (as ever) hovering at her shoulder.
Oh shit times two.
I was about to hustle forward in an effort to continue running interference.
But Mom floated gracefully down the steps, took Mary by the arms, bent to touch cheek one, then cheek two, and kept hold of her as she pulled back.
“Mary,” she whispered.
“I am…quite…overwhelmed.” Aunt Mary’s voice was husky.
And again, I was going to cry.
I turned into Loren and pushed close.
“Let’s get you inside. There’s much to share,” Mom said.
Oh boy.
But Mary’s hand darted up, she pressed her fingers to Mom’s mouth, Mom’s eyes crossed to look at them, I nearly let out a hysterical laugh, and Mary spoke.
“We shan’t speak of it. Ever. It’s unspeakable. It is good I’ve arrived, Corliss. I will be your shield. There isn’t a member of the peerage who would cross me. The deeds have been done. The stories have been told to the proper authorities. They never need be uttered again. And that is behind us.”
Okay, seriously.
Everything just…
Fell into place.
I mean, maybe Mom was right.
With the way things kept happening, it felt like we were supposed to be here.
Mary raised her parasol like a banner before her, hooking Mom’s elbow with her own and forging forward so Mom had no choice but to forge with her.
“Now, we look to the future!” she proclaimed like she was releasing a battle cry. “And leave the wicked ways of the past behind!”
They disappeared inside.
Maxine came to us, and I wasn’t proud of it, but my mouth was agape as she clasped Loren’s other arm and made us forge ahead too.
“Auntie Mary’s always a load of fun,” she shared.
