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“What?”
“You’re pushing your food around,” she said.
“I’m just tired,” I said.
As the night came to an end, I excused myself from the table, unable to bear the weight of my father’s words any longer. I retreated to my chambers, welcoming the silence. Astrid was likely already in her room. I wondered what Theo was doing. He should be getting home right about now. Maybe he was already there. He would be surrounded by his loving family.
I had no business feeling sorry for myself. It wasn’t like I was lacking for anything. I just wanted a little more. I changed out of my dinner dress and into my pajamas. Instead of turning on the TV or music, I sat in silence by the window.
In the solitude of my room, I allowed myself to grieve the loss of the sisterly bond that had once defined my life. I missed Nora, and no amount of duty or honor could fill the void that her absence had left behind.
I hoped I could talk to her soon. I had no idea where she was. I assumed she was still in the country but couldn’t say for sure. I truly hoped she was happy. She was a lot stronger than I was. I wondered if she was planning a wedding. Maybe she had already eloped.
33
THEO
“Damn, it’s good to be back,” I said the moment we stepped off the plane. The heat was a welcome change to the wet chill of Scotland.
Jack looked around and put on his sunglasses. “It is nice to be home.”
We loaded into the waiting car and settled in for the ride home. It was just after noon and I couldn’t wait to get home and have a big, fat sandwich with all the fixings. I wanted a cold beer and no rules. The car pulled up the driveway and came to a stop.
I couldn’t stop smiling as we got out and stepped onto the familiar soil of home. It was like a balm to my soul. I had come to appreciate the beauty and history of the places I visited with Emilie, but there was no denying the deep sense of relief that washed over me as I returned to the place I called home.
After a quick hello to my brothers and sisters who all rushed to greet me, it was time to go find my parents. They were in their private garden, which was off limits for the rest of us. In a busy household like ours, they made sure they had a little privacy. We were summoned to the garden when they wanted to talk to us alone without the worry of being interrupted by one of my siblings.
“Mom, Dad,” I called out from behind the stone wall that shielded the garden.
“Theo, it’s so good to have you back.” Mom opened the wooden gate.
I gave her a warm hug. “It’s good to be back.”
My father clapped me on the back with a broad grin. “Welcome home, son. We’ve missed you.”
“I see the place is still standing,” I said, laughing. I took a seat at the table, eagerly accepting a beer from my father. I quickly opened it and took a long drink. “Damn, that’s good.”
“I know that’s one of the things that I miss the most when we’re over there,” Dad said.
“You really shouldn’t encourage him,” Mom scolded.
“Alright, tell us how things went,” Dad said. “How are the properties?”
“They are actually pretty good,” I said. “Not nearly as bad as I thought they were going to be.”
I eagerly shared the details of the plans and the potential for turning the properties into thriving tourist destinations. My father nodded as I talked. I knew he understood, but Mom seemed a little bored by things.
“Enough talk about business,” Mom said. “There will be a lot of time for that later. Assuming Theo decides to marry her. How’s the match progressing? Tell us about Emilie.”
I was eager to tell them about her. “Emilie is a remarkable woman. She’s intelligent, driven, and deeply committed to her responsibilities. Maybe a little too committed.”
“What do you mean?” Mom asked.
I looked at my dad. He knew about my hesitations. “It’s been a rough road,” I said.
Mom’s face fell. “You don’t like her?”
“It’s not that,” I said. “I do, but she’s on the fence about me. I think she’s coming around. She’s been brought up to believe love isn’t an option. It’s all about duty for her. I think she thinks the only way she can fulfill her duty is to be miserable. She can’t possibly love anyone.”
