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“You would do any farmer proud,” Betsy said. “Though no one shall top me for being the happiest of us all with my Mr. Graham.” She was radiant with delight. “We are planning on staying in Inverley, you know. Mr. Graham has the lease of a little house in town. Not far from here.”
“I would love it if you stayed in the area,” Caroline said. She felt a deep happiness welling inside of her. Finally, she and Betsy had mended their relationship, and she was looking forward to a future where her sister could truly become a friend. “I plan on spoiling any nieces and nephews rotten, and it shall be much easier if they are in arm’s reach.”
“What about you?” Jacob asked, leaning forward and propping his elbows on his knees. “What about your happiness, Caro?”
“Yes! After all this is said and done, what shall become of you?”
“I still have Will and George to look after.”
Susan frowned. “Perhaps I oughtn’t go with Jacob.”
“You should follow your heart and your desires,” Caroline said. She thought of what Arabella had said to her. “I raised you all to be strong, and independent. You will do fine in a new town, and I will be fine here in Inverley.”
“I could have a long engagement,” Betsy said, “if you would like some company for a while.”
Caroline took a deep breath. She hadn’t planned on saying anything to her family. Not now, and maybe not ever. But it felt disingenuous to have meddled so deeply in their affairs, and to have never revealed one iota of her own. She had good reason for her secrets. It was risky to reveal anything—but she wanted to tell them. She wanted her family to knowher.
“I don’t plan to be without company,” Caroline said, then paused, searching for the right words. “I thought of asking Arabella to move in with me.”
“We love Bell!” George said, bouncing up and down with excitement.
“She always has sweets,” Will chimed in. “Do invite her!”
“That would be perfect!” Betsy cried. “She was forever at our old house anyway, so why should she not move in?”
“I don’t know if she will be amenable. I may have to convince her.” Caroline thought of Arabella asking to be wooed. “I feel very strongly for Arabella.”
Jacob nodded. “We all love Bell.”
“Well, I love her very much. Not…not exactly as a friend.”
She wasn’t sure if George or Will would catch her meaning, but the others would.
Jacob blinked and sank back into his chair. “You can’t possibly mean…no. You aren’t—areyou?”
Caroline felt her pulse quicken at the base of her throat, but she refused to deny it. She didn’t want to lose her brothers and sisters to prejudice, but Arabella had been right. It was time for her to live her own life and pursue her own desires. “I am indeed saying that. I love Arabella.”
He shook his head slowly, but there was a thoughtful look on his face and Caroline relaxed. “Well, this is a good deal more shocking than being made an overnight baronet!”
“Whatis happening?” Susan looked perplexed.
Betsy tossed her curls, a mischievous look on her face. “I found a translation of Sappho in our lending library this summer now that we have a subscription. You don’t read enough poetry, Susan. Our saintly eldest sister is professing to be a lover of other women.”
Susan pressed a hand to her open mouth. “Caro!” She leapt up and threw her arms around Caroline. “Iknewyou were as scandalous as the rest of us, deep down!”
Betsy beamed at her. “This isveryCaro Lamb of you. Totally outrageous. Risking everything you have for love. I am proud of you.”
Caroline laughed. Finally, she was worthy of Betsy’s highest praise. “Now that I have your blessings, I need your help to convince Arabella to stay with me.”
“Youneverask for help!” Jacob exclaimed. “This is a day of surprises.”
“People change,” she said with a shrug. “Maybe it’s taken me longer than most to figure out what would make me happiest. Part of my happiness would be for more communication with you all, as adults and equals. I will always welcome it. I promise.”
“Well. What does Bell love most? If we can figure that out, then you have a fair shot of using it to your advantage.” Betsy nodded.
“Her cats. Her paintings.” She smiled at them. “And the Reeve clan, if I am not very much mistaken.”
“Mr. Graham wrote me poetry when courting me,” Betsy said dreamily.
