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“Please.” Norah waved a hand in dismal but could feel her cheeks heating. Part of her wished that was possible. Though she tried to smother the feeling, it refused to budge. “He is far too interested in the past to consider the future.”
“You’re interested in the past, too.”
“Not to the extent he is. I also appreciate the present.”
“As do I.” Lena gave a wry smile. “Which makes me feel incredibly guilty.”
“How do you mean?” Norah stared at Lena in surprise.
Lena hesitated. “Life is different here. Certainly more entertaining. Is it terrible of me to say that?”
The worry in her gaze had Norah rising to take her hands in hers. “Not at all. Enjoying this life doesn’t mean we don’t miss Mother and Father.”
Relief filled Lena’s expression, as did remorse. “Then why do I feel so guilty?”
“Don’t,” Norah ordered, realizing she was telling herself that as well. “Our parents’ choices weren’t ours. We shouldn’t feel guilty for enjoying the life we’ve found here.”
Lena lifted her chin even if doubt remained in her eyes. “You’re right. We shouldn’t. Thank you for saying that.”
Norah only wished she felt it as well. Guilt remained despite what she’d told Lena. Would she ever be able to set it aside?
Chapter Twelve
Norah read Simon’sresponse to her latest message requesting an update with no small measure of frustration. It said little and therefore made it impossible to interpret what he was thinking. Since he’d responded, she wasn’t able to call on him when she couldn’t justify the risk of doing so.
Had his intent been to keep her at arm’s length?
She rose from the desk to pace her bedroom. One thing was clear—she wanted to find the coin. The best way to do that was to help Simon, regardless of whether he wanted assistance. Perhaps the time had come to do what the sisters had done when their father’s journal had been stolen—start a search of their own.
Why would anyone take the coin except to sell it? Money was the most obvious motivation. It might be helpful to compile a list of shops that specialized in collectable coins. They could advise the shops to be on the watch for the coin, thereby making it difficult for someone to sell it.
She had to take action of some sort. Waiting and worrying was driving her mad. Each day that passed made her more sympathetic with Ella and the steps her sister had taken to find their father’s stolen journal. The same persistence Ella had shown would work favorably in this situation as well.
How did one find shops that bought and sold coins? Perhaps they would advertise in the news sheet. She hurried down the stairs toward the drawing room where Davies placed the news sheet after her grandfather read it at breakfast. She and her sisters usually left him in peace for the first meal of the day but often shared dinner with him.
Norah smiled as she remembered the first few weeks after their arrival in London. It had taken persistence to convince their grandfather to allow them into his life. Finding the coin was no different. She lifted her chin, even more determined to act as she entered the drawing room and found Ella sitting by a window with her needlework.
“Good morning,” Norah greeted her as she walked closer. “What are you working on?”
Ella smiled. “I am embroidering a few handkerchiefs for Leo as a wedding gift.” She showed the fine white linen to Norah. “What do you think?”
“Monogrammed with his initials? How perfect.” Norah squeezed her sister’s arm. “I am so excited for you, but I can’t imagine you not being with us every day.” The idea put a lump in her throat.
Some of her emotion must’ve shown on her face because Ella quickly stood to hug her. “You won’t have a chance to miss me. I will be here more often than you think.”
“I hope so.” Norah returned her embrace. “We need you.”
Ella leaned back and studied Norah. “I’m not so sure that’s true. You and Lena are managing quite well on your own. I couldn’t be prouder of the exhibit you and Vanbridge did for Father.”
Norah grimaced. “I was as well, until the coin was stolen.”
“Do not worry. We will find it.”
“Speaking of which…” Norah hesitated to share what she had in mind, fairly certain her sister would discourage her.
“What are you thinking?”
Norah told her the idea of finding coin dealers.
