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“I assure you that it is all true.”
“Why would you give up all that you have to rent a room on an island in the Channel?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Baldwin replied, “Because I wanted to be anywhere else but here.”
“Why didn’t you go to our Scottish manor?”
“It still held memories of our father.”
Jane’s voice was soft as she asked, “Why do you wish to forget Father?”
“I’m not ready to accept his death.”
“It has been three years.”
“I know, but the pain is still raw. It gnaws at me,” he admitted.
Tears came to Jane’s eyes. “I feel the same way,” she shared. “I think of Father every single day. I miss his smile, his laugh, and how he used to let me help him balance the ledgers.”
“That was quite scandalous of him,” Baldwin joked.
“But Father didn’t care,” Jane remarked. “He was patient, and he always made me feel loved and protected.”
Baldwin grew solemn. “I am sorry I failed you by leaving.”
“When you left, I was forced to grieve two men that I loved dearly,” she confessed as she wiped away the tears from her eyes. “I didn’t know if you were ever coming back.”
“I should have sent word.”
“Yes, you should have,” Jane remarked firmly.
Uncrossing his arms, Baldwin said, “I think we both can agree I didn’t handle the situation very well.”
“No, you did not.”
“But I don’t want it to ruin our relationship.”
Jane grew silent as she watched him. Finally, she spoke. “Neither do I,” she replied. “But I still need some time.”
“Take all the time that you need. I am not going anywhere.”
“I am relieved to hear that,” she said, rising.
“As am I.”
Baldwin watched as his sister walked over to the door. Just as she reached to open it, she stopped and spun back around.
“What are your intentions towards Madalene?”
His brow shot up at that unexpected question. “My intentions?” he repeated. “I have no intentions towards Madalene.”
“None?”
“If you must know, we are merely friends.”
Jane gave him a look that implied she didn’t believe him, but she didn’t respond to his remark. Instead, she said, “Please don’t abduct any more of my friends.”
“I can promise you that.”
