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“I am sorry for hurting you.”
“But not for leaving?”
Placing his empty glass on the desk, Baldwin replied, “I had to leave.”
“Why?” she asked, coming closer to the desk. “Why did you have to leave your family when we were all grieving Father’s death?”
“It is a long story.”
“I have time.”
With a shake of his head, he asserted, “I’m afraid you wouldn’t understand my reasons.”
Jane sat down on a chair that faced the desk. “Perhaps not, but I am willing to try,” she said, her voice softening.
“I was not prepared for Father’s death,” he murmured.
“None of us were.”
Baldwin abruptly rose from his chair and walked over to the window. He continued to stare out at the gardens. “After I discovered Father had died, I knew I needed to leave Hawthorne House, to escape his memory,” he shared.
“But what about us?”
Bringing his gaze back to meet his sister’s, he admitted hesitantly, “I’m afraid I was only thinking of myself.”
“Where did you go?”
“That is not important.”
Jane looked displeased by his response. “Why are you keeping so many secrets?”
“I’m trying to protect you, Jane,” he stated.
“I don’t need your protection anymore.”
Baldwin turned and leaned back against the windowsill. “You may not want my protection, but I will always extend it towards you,” he said. “You may hate me, but I will always love you.”
Jane paused. “I don’t hate you, but I am angry with you.”
“That is a start, at least.”
Glancing down at her lap, Jane said, “We used to be so close before Father died. Why don’t you trust me anymore?”
“I do trust you.”
Jane gave him a disbelieving look. “No, you won’t even tell me where you have spent the last three years of your life.”
Baldwin knew he needed to share some aspects of where he had been to appease his sister, but he needed to be careful as he skirted around the truth. “If you must know, I spent a portion of my time on Jersey Island.”
“Jersey Island?” she asked. “Why would you wish to be so close to France?”
“The island was perfectly safe since the harbors were fortified with cannons and our naval ships were constantly docking there. Furthermore, the local militia was well trained and could assemble nearly three thousand men in a day’s time.”
“Where did you stay?”
“I rented a room at a coaching inn.”
Jane frowned. “I am not entirely sure if I believe you.”
