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“Lady Lowenbrock.She is in the drawing room with your sister.”
Relief flooded through her.“Thank you,” she said, pulling her bedroom door closed behind her.
He stepped aside, and she made her way downstairs.It didn’t even bother her that she was leaving with nothing.Her sister wouldn’t dare hold back her belongings.Not with Amelia there to witness their exchange.
Her new life was beginning today.She should have left her sister’s household years ago.Despite the bravado she’d shown the world and her practical nature, the thought of being on her own had frightened her.Even though she and Edwina weren’t on the best of terms, at least they were family.But after this morning’s conversation, it was clear that their relationship would never recover.Better to strike out on her own than to be forced into marrying someone and giving him control over her life and her person.
How ironic that she and Lord Ashford found themselves in a similar position.
She didn’t hesitate as she entered the drawing room.Edwina was going on about having Amelia and Lowenbrock over for dinner one day so they could become better acquainted.Amelia murmured something about hoping she could fit it into their engagements.Her words were polite but distant.When her eyes settled on Mary, however, her entire face lit up.She rose and they embraced.
Mary couldn’t resist glancing at her sister over her friend’s shoulder.Edwina’s smile was still in place, but her face looked as though it were a frozen mask.
Amelia turned back to her sister.“I am so happy that Mary has indulged my request to spend time with me over the next few weeks.”
Edwina’s smile faltered.“You’re already spending time together.”
Amelia turned to Mary and grabbed her hand.“Yes, but she’s finally agreed to come stay with us for a little while.We see so little of one another, and I find that I’ve become greedy for her company.”
Edwina’s expression hardened, and Mary saw the moment she realized her sister’s seemingly innocent note—which she’d no doubt read before allowing it to be delivered to the marchioness—was the reason Mary was about to escape her household.As well as her plans for Mary’s future.
“We wouldn’t want to put you out—”
“Oh, it’s no inconvenience at all.I thought I would be content to have Mary join me in town for the season, but I’ve been longing for even more of her company.”Edwina opened her mouth to interrupt but Amelia continued.“I’ve never had a sister.It’s always been just me.I know you’ll miss her, but you must allow me to indulge this desire.”
Edwina stood, the corners of her mouth lifting in a patently false smile.“Of course.And that will give me a reason to visit.”
Mary inclined her head.“I’m sure it will feel as though I never moved out.”
Given that she and Edwina rarely spent any time together, she sincerely hoped that proved to be true.The last thing she wanted was to endure endless calls while her sister pretended to be a doting sibling.
Edwina turned to her.“Have you already asked the staff to pack your belongings?How long will you be gone—one week?”
Amelia saved her once again.“I know you’ll miss your sister terribly, but I was hoping Mary could spend the rest of the season with me.I can have one of my maids come and help with the packing.”
“Oh no, that won’t be necessary.It will be no problem to arrange for my sister’s belongings to be delivered to your town house.”
Amelia let go of Mary’s hand and approached Edwina.“I’m so glad to hear that.You have no idea how happy I am right now.I am in your debt.”
And those were the magic words that turned Edwina’s stiff smile into a genuine one.Ever the social climber, her sister was already plotting all manner of ways to turn this situation to her advantage.
“We’ll miss you here,” Edwina said.
For one horrible moment, Mary thought her sister was going to hug her.Visions of Edwina trying to squeeze the life out of her flitted through Mary’s mind.
Whether or not Amelia sensed the tension, she broke the awkward moment.“I’ll be sure to send a footman in a few hours to collect Mary’s belongings.I’m already asking so much from you in sacrificing the company of your sister, so please allow me to do this.”
Edwina inclined her head in agreement.When she met Mary’s eyes again, what Mary saw there sent shivers down her spine.Her sister was more than just angry… she was livid.Mary had outmaneuvered her in arranging her escape.Now that Mary wasn’t relying on her and Lord Fairbanks, Edwina couldn’t force her to wed someone of her own choosing.
If Mary had even the smallest hope of returning to live with her sister in the country, that hope evaporated after seeing the glint of anger in her sister’s eyes.
“I won’t keep you any longer today.”Amelia twined her arm through Mary’s and began to lead her from the drawing room.“I am so glad you’ve indulged me in this.”
They accepted their hats and cloaks from the butler.Mary didn’t turn around as they made their way from the town house.This would be the last time she’d reside with her sister.There would be no going back after today.She’d wondered if even a small part of her would feel some kind of remorse when she finally broke away, but she only felt relief.
Amelia kept up a steady stream of chatter until the carriage door closed behind them.The silence that followed was almost deafening.
When the carriage began to move, Mary grabbed one of Amelia’s hands and gave it a firm squeeze.“I am in your debt.I feared that my note might have been too obscure.”
