Page 101 of Always Be an Us

The diary starts the day she arrives, and she speaks about how lonely she feels after the death of her father:

Diary,

Mother thinks this vacation will transport me out of my melancholy, but I fear it might only make things worse. I miss him so sorely some days, it's like an ache in my chest. V is trying his best to help me get over it. I appreciate him so very much for bringing me here. It's such a charming hotel, with so many friendly staff. V doesn't like them so much. He thinks they're nosy. He said as much in the letter he left me this afternoon. He is staying in the room opposite mine, but we're both being very decent. Here is the letter:

M. Thornley, I hope you're resting well. Some of the men and I are going hunting this morning. We saw some fine deer on the way in. We'll be back soon, so don't get too irritated by the nosy staff. They don't know their place. If anyone bothers you, let me know. I will always take care of you.

PS: I know you're terribly sad for now, and what happened to your father was awful, but I think this marriage will be a good thing for both families. It will also get you out of that house.

Anyway, I will see you at lunch.

V.

I frown at the words. That was it? It's odd reading it because I remember V being so much more romantic than that. He was almost, as Amelia put it, sickeningly in love with Madam Thornley.

I turn the page where she has another of his letters posted which reads,

M. Thornley, I missed you at breakfast today. I had to talk to Peter concerning the oil wells. He's considering this business seriously. This will be good for our future.

V.

Huh. Was it youthful thinking that made me recall these letters as far more romantic than they actually were? I thought they had a whirlwind love. Or did it develop later?

I flip through a few more pages and then finally find one letter that says,

My love. I burn for you. Our distance slashes through me and every night I long for the day, so I can see you again. Every breath I take has your name on it. I hear you in the birds. I see you in the stars. I long for you every moment.

V.

Ah, that’s more like what I remember. But the date on top says that V sent this letter only about two weeks later. So, when did this burning passionate romance develop? Did it grow that quickly from their earlier tamer relationship?

It's not such a surprise. I mean look at you and Declan now. A month ago, you didn't know him, and now…

I refuse to finish that thought.

There's so much to think about apart from my relationship with Declan. I should be thinking about what I'm going to tell my Grandpa or how I'm going to fix up the house.

But I can worry about all that later. Instead, I head over to my room and let myself get wrapped up in the diary's love story once more, letting it drag me into a smooth, restful sleep.

Sometime during the night, I think I hear someone walk in, and I feel a kiss pressed on my forehead. But it could have just been the wind and my imagination.

But in the morning, I wake up to the very real sound of Declan's smooth baritone out in the living room. Excitement eliminates the sleep from my eyes, as I bound out of bed, rushing out to see him, wearing just his T-shirt.

"Declan! When did you get back? I was waiting–"

The words freeze in my mouth.

Declan isn't alone.

There's a tall, gorgeous woman next to him, with beautiful long brown curls cascading down her back. Her eyes are startlingly green, like emeralds set in her face. Her lips are the perfect shade of pink.

She also looks eerily like an older version of Amelia.

And with that resemblance, comes the knowledge of who she is

Shit. It's his ex-wife.

Chapter Thirty

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