“You were in love. Even I know that no one is rational and logical about that. I expected you to behave like anyone else in that situation.” He released a frustrated breath. “And was what I did so very wrong, anyway? I was trying to protect you.”
Now was her chance. She could tell him that Lionel had seduced her, that Thorn’s actions had resulted in her spending a few terrifying months afraid of being found out by a pregnancy Thorn hadn’t accounted for. That she’d spent years hating herself for letting Lionel have his way with her.
Then again, all of that had already happened by the time Thorn paid Lionel off, so the result would have been the same. Or worse. She would have been ruined, and thus would have felt forced to marry Lionel. She might have lost the child either way. And Lionel would have looted her fortune and made her miserable.
As for the blackmail, well, if not for that, she wouldn’t have gained Joshua, the real love of her life.
So perhaps Mama was right. It was time to let bygones be bygones. Telling Thorn how she’d suffered would only pile guilt on his head. It certainly wouldn’t change the past.
She smiled at her twin. “The only thing you did wrong was not trust me to weigh the evidence and decide for myself about Malet. But you’re right. I fancied myself in love. I might have ignored it all. So I forgive you.”
Thorn gazed at her. “You do? Really? You truly forgive me?”
“I do. I only wish it hadn’t taken me so long.”
To her surprise, he grabbed her in an intense hug that nearly knocked the breath out of her. “I missed you,” he whispered in her ear. “You have no idea how much. You understand me better than anyone.”
“I missed you, too,” she said and realized it was true. She pushed him back so she could cup his head in her hands. “But if you ever try to pay off a suitor of mine again, I will throttle you. I mean it.”
He laughed as he took her hands in his. “I doubt that situation will ever come up again. Or are you dragging your feet about accepting the major?”
She gaped at him. “How did you know about the major?”
“Did I neglect to mention that he came to see me earlier this evening? He was spitting mad about my not revealing your previous history with Malet because, and I quote, ‘I could have handled my task better if I’d had that bit of crucial information.’”
“That’s probably true. But that doesn’t explain how you knew that the major has asked me to marry him.”
He rose from the sofa. “Remember, you said you forgive me.”
She scowled at him as she rose, too. “Thorn, what did you do?”
“I asked if I was going to have to buy him off, too.”
“You didn’t!”
Thorn’s face clouded over. “Why? Do you think he would have accepted?”
“Of course not. I’m merely surprised he didn’t stuff your offer down your throat.”
Breaking into a grin, Thorn walked toward the door. “He did say I was welcome to try, but that I wouldn’t like the outcome.” He opened the door. “Now come on, Sis. Let’s go see what has happened to your future husband.”
“How do you know I said yes?” she asked as she walked toward him.
“Because any sister of mine can see the man is a catch.”
She sniffed. “I’m glad you recognize it.”
“Don’t misunderstand me. I will insist upon a very stringent settlement.”
“You can insist all you wish.” She smiled. “He says he doesn’t want my money.”
That seemed to give Thorn pause. “None of it?”
“None of it,” Joshua said from behind him, making Thorn jump. “Unless we have children, and then it can be held for them.” Joshua looked past Thorn to where Gwyn was still smiling. “Come, dearling. There’s someone who’d like to meet you.”
As she joined him, he murmured, “This will probably be the only time you’ll have dealings with Fitzgerald unless it’s socially, so ask whatever you need to know.”
“He came that quickly?” she said as they approached the back parlor.
