Page 112 of The Curious Story of the Missing Lady
“Of course I love him, silly.”
Emily’s face fell.
Madeline took her face in her hands. “But not in that way.”
Emily shook her head. “I don’t know what to say. This is too much to handle at once.”
Madeline laughed joyously. “I know, sister. It must be. But it’s the truth.”
“You really don’t want to marry him?”
Madeline shook her head. “No. May God forgive me, I don’t. Oh, Emily, it feels so good to allow the truth to flow from my lips.”
Emily’s face gave way to her tears once more.
“Don’t cry, sister,” said Madeline. “All is well.”
“These are tears of happiness, Madeline. I am happy. Really and truly happy.”
“Tell me,” said Madeline, “when did you realise you were first in love with him?”
“I don’t know. It sort of happened gradually. He helped me when I got hurt and hurt himself in the process. I guess that may be when I first saw the kind of man he was.”
“He is a good man, Emily.”
“And he’s handsome,” she said with a giggle. “I always thought so.”
“He is handsome.”
“And when you were returned to us, I knew it could never work out. I was happy to have you returned to us, Madeline, please don’t think I wasn’t. But my own selfishness took hold of me at times, and at times, I often found myself wishing things were ... different.”
“I understand, Emily. Believe me, I do. And it’s OK.”
“I’m sorry to have felt that way.”
“There is no need to be sorry. Now, Emily, you must go to him. Go to him this instant. I assure you, he may very well be relieved. He can be married to you and remain in the family with honour. All will be well. Go to him!”
“But I have gone to him. He knows.”
“He does?”
“Yes, he does. I told him so.”
“You did?”
“I did. It was shortly before the outing to Uncle Roger’s that I told him I loved him.”
“And what did he say?”
“He said he loved me too.”
Madeline’s jaw fell open without any voluntary action of her own.
“Excuse me,” she said, and left the room.
“Madeline!” Emily shouted after her sister. “What are you going to do? Madeline!”
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