At the sound of her sister’s gentle words, Margaret’s composure shattered once more. Her tears flowed freely as she threw herself into Evelina’s waiting arms.
Without hesitation, Evelina enveloped her in a tender embrace, guiding her into the room and closing the door behind them.
She led Margaret to her bed, the softness of the sheets offering a semblance of comfort amidst the tumult of emotions. As her sister wept, her tears soaking her shoulder, a myriad of concerns begun another rage of swirling in her mind.
Despite the torrent of thoughts racing through her, she remained a steady presence, patiently waiting for Margaret to find a stop after fully letting out the storm of her emotions.
Evelina tenderly patted her head gently as she whispered soothingly, “It’s all right, dear sister. Everything will be all right. Whatever has happened, it will all work out.”
The rhythmic gesture of reassurance accompanied by her calming words sought to provide a lifeline of comfort in such distress, and not just for Margaret however.
Gradually, Margaret’s sobs died down, turning into sniffles. When she finally lifted her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, Evelina delicately brushed away the remnants of her sorrow, smiling softly at her.
Leaning in, Evelina asked, “Tell me, Sister, what troubles your heart so?”
Margaret sniffled repeatedly, her gaze heavy with defeat and reluctance, betrayed a heavy weight as she hesitated, sniffling repeatedly.
Evelina’s unwavering gaze remained on her, her voice softening even further with a blend of reassurance and insistence. “You know you can confide in me, Sister. I’m here for you, always.”
Margaret’s eyes welled with tears again, and for the shortest moment, her lips parted. But she faltered once more, shaking her head and squeezing her eyes shut to keep the tears at bay.
Evelina’s heart clenched with further worry, the ominous silence between them serving only as a canvas for her fears to paint the darkest of scenarios.
Her voice trembled with urgency as she implored, “Margaret, please, we can face this together. Whatever it is, we will find a way.”
Margaret’s eyes, clouded with uncertainty, met her gaze as she shook her head once more, yet murmuring softly at last, “I don’t think so.” A moment of silence hung in the air, broken only by her hesitant sniffles before she nodded in resignation. “In truth, this seems to be the only path.”
“Sister, we have been through a lot. There is nothing we cannot overcome.” Evelina paused, dreading her next words. “Did you argue with Father? What did he ask you to do this time?” Her heart raced with dread when her sister didn’t respond. “What is it, Margaret? Tell me, please.”
Margaret’s lips remained sealed as the seconds ticked by. Then, she shifted her eyes to the window. “It truly does not matter whether I say it now or not,” she whispered. She let out an empty chuckle that sent a shiver down Evelina’s spine. “You will know soon enough.”
Evelina had only witnessed her younger sister this way once—closed up, almost embarrassed to share, her eyes empty and her tone defeated. Their father had come home, drunk as a wheelbarrow, and while Evelina had been tending to young Penelope, he had mistaken Margaret for a barman. He had struck her a couple of times, and the next day he had blamed her for it.
Evelina’s eyes were blazing with anger. She studied her sister as her mind imagined the worst. “Did Father?—”
“No, sister. He hasn’t done anything. It’s exactly just that.” Margaret’s gaze returned to her, seeming to realize her train of thought going haywire. “Now I think of it, I guess you may just hear it from me directly.”
Silence filled the room once more. Then, she let out a sigh before she confessed, “The Earl of Oakwood has proposed to me. He is in urgent need of a wife, and I am his next option.”
Evelina’s heart sank at the mention of the Earl’s name. Yet, as her sister’s statement registered fully, she felt the color drain from her face.
“The Earl of Oakwood?” she gasped, her mind struggling to grasp her sister’s situation. Her jaw dropped in disbelief. “When did this happen? How?”
Margaret, her expression tinged with sorrow, offered a small smile. “It occurred this morning while you were at work, of course.”
“B-But, I do not—How?” Evelina rose to her feet as the weight of the revelation pressed down on her. “But Lord Oakwood showed interest in me, not you. I do not understand. He wasn’t your burden to bear. How could Father agree to this?”
She paced the room, her mind racing. “Is this because of the incident with the Duke at the dinner? But that was not your fault!” She furrowed her brow. “It does not make sense. And if things with the Duke had ended, why foist the Earl on you instead of me, as planned?”
The pieces of the puzzle refused to align, leaving her grappling with the facts. “Do not tell me he did this to punish me. He is certainly not blind—he knows what sort of a man the Earl is. He only likes him for his money.” She shook her head, incredulous. “The Earl is enough punishment. So why would he?—”
“No, you misunderstand,” Margaret shook her head as well. Her voice quivered as she recounted the unsettling turn of events, “It wasn’t Father’s plan. The Earl arrived, claming of dire need to see me.”
She drew in a deep breath, seeming to struggle in reliving the moment, After I was called in, right in Father’s office, he declared his intention to marry me, stating the reason being you not showing much interest.”
Evelina’s horror deepened as she absorbed the cruel reality unfolding before her and realization dawned on her.
It’s my fault? It’s all my fault… What have I done?
