Page 16 of Separated from My Love
Chapter6
Genevieve staredout the window of the breakfast room. She’d had a lot thrown at her all at once the previous night. Serenity and Peyton were her sisters. How was that even possible? Did her parents adopt her? She believed it to be the truth because she’d picked up on some of Serenity’s thoughts. She was broadcasting rather loudly and it had been unavoidable. Knowing the truth and accepting it was two entirely different things though. Everything changed once she admitted it. Her parents—well, they’d always be who they were even if they weren’t related to her biologically, but the dynamic mightchange.
She was supposed to give them her decision and all she wanted to do was crawl back in bed. Ignoring everything seemed like a good idea. There was a time when she’d have given anything to return home. Now she was afraid of what it all might mean. Could she go back to her old life as if nothing had happened? She wasn’t the same person anymore and nothing fit right. Trenton wanted her to go back. He’d made his feelings clear on thematter.
Genevieve wanted to trust him, but it was hard for her to let go of the old hurts. She’d never stopped loving him though and wanted to give in. When she’d sought Regina’s help, she hadn’t thought about what it would all mean. All she’d desired was to return home. Now she wasn’t sure what she reallywanted.
She could return home and help Peyton, or she could refuse and stay with Brandon. It would be easier to find out how to travel back home if Serenity believed she was willing to help Peyton. Her love for her sister had never been questioned. Peyton and Serenity had done everything together, and appeared to only trust each other. That would work to Genevieve’s benefit if she wanted to return without Serenity and Trenton trailing behind her. She could make her decisions in peace without either one of them breathing down her neck. Could she trick Serenity into telling her everything? Was it worththerisk?
With a sigh, she turned away from the window and toward the table. There was a buffet of breakfast dishes set on a counter for them to serve themselves. The morning meal was informal every day, but the servants had gone above and beyond to serve the duke’s guests. There was more food than necessary, and it wouldn’t be possible for them to eatitall.
“That’s a lotoffood…”
Genevieve turned to find Serenity standing in the doorway. At her side was Sebastian Bennett, the duke’s son. His dark hair was mussed, but he was impeccably dressed. He lifted his gaze to meet hers and said, “Miss Peyton said I could eat with you this morning. Is that allright?”
What game was her brand-new sister up to? Sebastian usually ate in the nursery and rarely joined them for meals. It was rare that the duke allowed it in case he had to talk business with someone unexpectedly. Genevieve ate with Sebastian upon occasion but hadn’t intended to that morning. She had a lot to work though, and the child would notice how distracted she was. He stared up at her hopefully. How could she deny him the treat of eating with theadults?
“Of course, love,” Genevieve said. “Come, sit, and I’ll fix you aplate.”
A smile lit his whole face as he moved toward the table. It was amazing how the simplest things could bring joy to another person. Serenity had done a good thing by bringing Sebastian down to eat with them. There really was no decision for her to make. She’d be going back to her time and it would be nice to spend a little more time with the boy before she departed. Genevieve placed some eggs, kippers, and toast on a plate. Then she walked over and set it in front of the boy, and he picked up a fork and started to eat immediately. She stepped away from him and allowed him to eat in peace. Perhaps she should make a plate for herself and at least pretend to eat. Her appetite had left her the moment she’d seen Trenton in the duke’sstudy.
“You love him,don’tyou?”
Genevieve frowned. “Who?” Was she talking about Trenton? Was she thatobvious?
“Sebastian,” Serenity said and gestured toward the boy. “I can see why. He’s aremarkablelad.”
Ah, of course she meant Sebastian. What did it say about her that she’d assumed Serenity had meant Trenton? She needed to seriously get her head screwed on straight, and fast. Why did everything have to be so damn hard? All her thoughts and emotions screeched through her head like a high pitch rock song. On one side, she had a solo guitar hitting chords of dissent and the other drums nailed her into a steady beat of desire. The constant thrum kept her a massive ball of fucked up. Genevieve took breathed deeply and brought her focus to her present concern—Sebastian.
“How much time have you spent with him this morning?” Genevieve narrowed her gaze. She could be a bit overprotective of Sebastian because shedidcareforhim.
“Not long,” she replied. “An hour, maybe less. I rather likehimtoo.”
“Of course you do,” Genevieve pronounced. “He’s a wonderful boy. Who wouldn’t enjoy spending time in his company.” She’d never thought of herself as the motherly type, but Sebastian had made it easy. “Where are you going with allofthis?”
Serenity stared at the boy and smiled. “I’m not going to lie to you. It would be stupid of me to.” She paused, took a deep breath, and met Genevieve’s gaze. “We’ve never been close and don’t know each other particularly well. I understand if you may not trust me, but I have to try, you understand. My sister—our sister’s—life depends on you. If you don’t go back, shewilldie.”
If Genevieve had to pick one thing to believe, that was the one she whole-heartedly did. Serenity was determined to make her realize how much Peyton needed her. If they were truly both her sisters, didn’t she owe it to herself the chance to know them? Even if they weren’t—shouldn’t she do the right thing and help saveanother’slife?
“I understand what your motivations are,” Genevieve said. “What I don’t quite comprehend is what that has to do withSebastian.”
“You’re reluctant to leave him.” Serenity nodded toward Sebastian. “I can help lighten your burden, if you’ll allowmeto.”
That made even less sense. What could she offer that would make things easier for Sebastian? If she left, he wouldn’t have a governess, and the duke would be hard-pressed to find one he trusted enough with his son. In his line of work, everyone was suspect and could possibly be out toharmhim.
“How do you propose todothat?”
“It’s simple really,” she stated. “We’ll trade places. I’ll stay here and be the lad’s governess, and you’ll return home to savePeyton.”
Genevieve’s mouth fell open at her pronouncement. Somehow, she didn’t think it was as easy or simple as Serenity made it out to be. She thought she understood her motivations, but something wasn’t quite right. There was something at play she didn’t fully grasp. “Just like that.” She snapped her fingers. “You’d give up your life, your family, and whatever future you might have so I’ll return home and save Peyton’s life?” She tilted her head and studied Serenity. “What happens if I am not a match and she dies? You won’t have the chance to say goodbye. Can you live with thatpossibility?”
“I’d do anything for my family,” she replied earnestly. “Especially Peyton. She’s the heart of the family. If you take the time to really get to know her, you’ll see what I mean. I understand that we weren’t as welcoming as we should’ve been growing up. It’s hard to explain how our lives were back then. It might have appeared to be perfect, but it was far from it. It was a form of self defense to push people away. If we showed too much interest our mother would find a way to hurt us or the one we cared about. She only allowed us to have each other. I don’t know or fully understand what hermotivationswere.”
Peyton must be more special than she realized for Serenity to give up so much for her. “What guarantee do I have you won’t bail on them the momentI’mgone?”
“There is no guarantee I can offer you that will put you at ease,” Serenity said. “You’re going to have to take me at my word.” She smiled. “Have a little faith in me, sis. I promise you cantrustme.”
She didn’t really have much choice. Not going back wasn’t an option any longer. If she didn’t, and Peyton died… She’d never forgive herself. How selfish would it be to let someone die just because she was afraid to go home? “If the duke agrees, I’ll go along with it, but he has thefinalsay.”
