Yes, yes. That is a good attitude to take.
“What has happened?” Lady Frederica asked, leaning toward her.
Before Dorothy could even think of how to put the events of last night into words, though, the door opened, and the butler walked in.
“Lady Dorothy? If you please.” He approached her, holding a sealed envelope in the air. “I was asked to give this to you.”
“Thank you.” Dorothy took the envelope before he bowed and retreated from the room. She broke the seal on the back of the letter, turned it over, and read it hurriedly.
Dearest Dorothy,
I know that what happened last night ended not in the way either of us imagined or hoped. Come see me again so that we may talk. I will be waiting in the library for you, away from prying eyes.
Stephen.
Dorothy blinked, staring at the letter. There was something off in Stephen’s handwriting, but she supposed if he had written it when he was upset, then that could account for it.
“What is it?” Lady Charlotte asked. She walked toward her, then peered over her shoulder to read the letter. “Oh, goodness,” she whispered. “Well, I suppose he is eager to amend whatever happened between you. Will you go?”
Dorothy bit her lip, uncertain what to do or think. A large part of her mind told her that it was unwise to dance to Stephen’s tune any longer. She had a habit of going to where he was and doing as he said, despite her arguing to the contrary. Still, her heart was now warring with her head. Her heart longed to see him, in the hope that he would apologize for what had happened the night before.
“If there is a chance of mending a broken heart, is it not worth a try?” Lady Frederica asked softly. She took the letter out of Dorothy’s hands as Lady Charlotte brushed the back of Dorothy’s dress and adjusted a curl of her hair.
“There, you are ready to see him now,” Lady Charlotte said with a nod of approval.
Dorothy smiled at the two of them.
Maybe I should still have hope, after all.
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
“We should tell her.” Stephen’s words were met with a harsh glare from Allan.
“I’ll tell her,” Allan said simply.
Stephen stood from his seat. The two of them had played billiards for the last few hours, locked away from the rest of the party as they discussed Lord Chilmond’s business affairs and exactly what he had hoped for in his pursuit of Dorothy.
Allan potted a ball and stood tall, with his cue tucked under his arm. “She is my sister, Stephen.”
“I am as relevant to this conversation.” Stephen marched up to the other side of the table as Allan readied himself for his next shot. “I’m the one who discovered the truth about the man.”
Allan paused before sinking his next ball, glancing Stephen’s way. For some reason, Stephen found his expression unreadable.
“You make me curious at your wish to tell her so hurriedly. I’m in no great mood to break my sister’s heart and hope so fast,” Allan said with a sigh. He mishit the ball, and it ricocheted off the side of the table. Failing to sink the shot, he gestured for Stephen to take his turn. “Why are you so eager to tell her so fast?”
“Rather this than allow hope to continue.” Stephen’s voice was firm. Though he retrieved his cue from the side of the room, he didn’t yet show any intention of making his play. “What’s more, she… she may not be as lost to hope as you think.”
“No?” Allan looked at him pointedly as if waiting for him to go on.
Stephen said nothing. He bent down over the table and lined up his shot.
“Something you wish to tell me, Stephen?”
“No.” Stephen held himself still, breathing deeply as he gathered himself, before taking the shot. The ball he was aiming at sank neatly into the hole. He stood straight and rounded the table, preparing for his next shot. “I just think the sooner she knows the better.”
Allan clearly took no pleasure in the idea. He raised his hand and rubbed his brow tiredly. “What a man,” he muttered darkly. “I thought that maybe a man had set his heart on my sister with the best of intentions, for a change. I am not fond of being wrong, especially in this regard. She deserves better than this.”
“She does,” Stephen said firmly, potting his next ball. “Let me fetch her now. We can talk to her together, let her down easily.”
