Page 73 of The Wrong Duke

“It’s because it’s today that I think you should.” Bridget pushed herself to her feet and swept to where Amelia was standing, putting herself right beside her older sister so that both their reflections were looking back at them. “She’s our mother.”

“I know it.”

“She just wants us to be happy.”

“She had a funny way of showing it.”

“And you know it wasn’t her fault,” Bridget pressed as she raised her eyebrows at her Amelia’s reflection. “You know this. It was our father who —”

“Who she never stood up to. Who she almost let sell us off like a couple of sheep.”

“Let!” Bridget barked a laugh. “You know she didn’t let that man do anything. As if she had a choice. She was trapped as much as we were, sister. And you of all people should know that.”

Amelia pressed her lips together into a frown, understanding the sense in her sister’s words but not quite ready to accept them. Today was supposed to be the happiest of her life, and the last thing she needed was to get upset, which she knew would happen if she was forced to remember a period of her life that she’d spent the last few months doing everything she could to forget. That was the real reason she didn’t want to forgive her mother or see her for that matter. It was the reminder that she bore, memories that came with her simply because she’d never stood up to the man who had nearly destroyed both Amelia and Bridget’s life.

“Martha?” Bridget sighed, looking back across the room to where Martha sat, fiddling with the hems of her dress because she likely didn’t want to be pulled into this conversation. “Can you speak some sense into her.”

“Well...” Martha pushed her tongue into the side of her cheek. “I’d rather not.”

“And yet clearly you have something to say,” Amelia responded dryly.

“Only this.” Martha stood up and crossed the room, standing on the other side of her best friend. She took her hand and focused on their reflection. “You claim you don’t want to forgive her.”

“Not today.”

“And yet even still, it was you who invited her, was it not?”

“I —” Amelia started to argue, but her words became caught in her mouth. “It was the right thing to do.”

“Or was it that deep down you want this,” Martha countered. “Yes, she failed you. And yes, you have every right to be angry. But today is the first day of the rest of your life, Amelia. Don’t you want to put the past behind you and start it fresh? Even if that means finally forgiving your mother. I know it would mean the world to her.”

“Oh, do you now?”

Martha shrugged. “We still talk on occasions.”

“Martha!”

“I’ve known her my entire life,” she countered. “And after what happened to your father... she misses you, Amelia. Both of you.”

“I’ve forgiven her,” Bridget said rightly.

“Yes, but she wants to see you together,” Martha pressed. “And what’s more... I think she wants to congratulate you.” Martha wore a cheeky smile. “You did manage to land a duke, after all. Who would have thought you’d have it in you.”

Despite a stubborn streak that was legendary, Amelia felt herself caving to good sense and reason. With her sister on one arm and her best friend on the other, both offering good points to which there were few arguments against, Amelia couldn’t rally a defense that might quiet them. They were right. She had spent a long time blaming her mother for what had happened, likening her to her father because it had felt just, but she had lately begun to wonder if maybe it was time to forgive her.

Bridget had already. She’d done so a month ago, about the time that Evan informed her that she’d be living with them officially until the time came for her to meet a man of thetonand begin the courting process. Not an adoption, per se. Just a roof over her head with the finances behind her to ensure that she met the right man, one who was deserving of her. So, if her sister could see it in her to forgive and forget...

“Fine,” Amelia sighed, slumping her shoulders in exaggeration. “Let her in.”

“Yay!” Bridget beamed, letting go of her arm and hurrying across the room. “I know you’ll feel better for it.”

“I sure hope so.”

“This is the right move,” Martha agreed. “Why, if it wasn’t for the fact that you’re to be married in less than an hour, I might have even said this would be the best thing you’d do today.”

“A shame I’m getting married in an hour.” Amelia couldn’t help but grin.

“Such a shame,” Martha chuckled and offered a wink.

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