Page 71 of The Masked Baron
She sniffed. Oh no. She was crying. He could not hate himself more.
“I’m trying.”
She spoke without inflection; her heart must not be convinced yet. He needed to assure her. “You must! I cannot tread these new waters with my sister without your help. Remember how you saved me today?”
She shook her head.
“Yes, you saved my relationship with my sister! I am forever in your debt! I know this means things will be different now, but Annie, I—”
Lord Kerrigan walked in, effectively cutting him off. Ellis removed his hand from Annie’s as subtly as possible.
“I met your sister in the corridor,” Kerrigan said sheepishly. “I thought I imagined our reunion a hundred times, but none included me tripping on my own feet and slaughtering my words.” Kerrigan shook his head and grinned. “I daresay I gave those two something to laugh about.”
Ellis smiled but couldn’t bring himself to laugh. There was a great deal to celebrate, but he needed Annie’s complete forgiveness first. His joy was dependent on hers.
Chapter 26
Andalin welcomed the dawn. Lastnight had exhausted her. Ellis had apologized, but he had not renewed his declarations of love. He’d mentioned her staying to help smooth the way for him and his sister, but for how long? And when he said things would be different now—what had he meant? Unencumbered by his past, Ellis was free to live any way he pleased. She dared not presume to be included in his new life. His need for a ward was obsolete, and without a mask, his opportunities for love were so much greater.
She crawled out of bed and pulled open her curtains to see a sunrise more vibrant and beautiful than any she’d ever seen. For so long her bedroom window had mocked her with the unattainable view outside her prison, but now it painted a beautiful vista she would not exchange for any other. It filled her heart with a longing for a home that could never be hers. Dew glistened everywhere, and she could not resist pushing open the glass pane. The cool wind whipped at her hair, swirling thoughts of an unknown future through her mind. She pulled her robe tighter around her and let the crisp air dry any chance of tears.
Hannah came in a few minutes later to help her dress. Andalin regretted the need to close the window on her newest and greatest dream. How long would she have to wait until Ellis sent her back to her father?
“Hannah, are you humming?”
“His lordship is a mite handsomer than I remember.”
“Hannah!” Andalin said, in mock reproach.
“Don’t tell me ye haven’t noticed. I wouldn’t believe it if ye did.”
Andalin held out her hairpins. “I think you had better focus on finishing my hair.”
Hannah’s tall form shook with laughter, but she twisted Andalin’s hair up without any more comments. Andalin thought she imagined the knock on her door.
“I’ll get it,” Hannah said.
Andalin held her breath and straightened her already-neat skirt. What did Ellis want? Her gut clenched in anticipation as Hannah pulled the door open.
It wasn’t Ellis, but Miss Dubois.
“Pardon me,” Miss Dubois said. “Might I speak with you for a moment?”
Andalin nodded, and Hannah excused herself. “Please, come in.”
Miss Dubois hesitated but then stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “I wanted to return this to you.” She extended her hand, revealing the garnet necklace.
Andalin swallowed uncomfortably and shook her head. “I cannot wear it knowing the painful memories it must resurrect for you.”
Miss Dubois stepped closer. “Please, take it. I asked Lord Cadogen if I might return it to you. I’ve had many years to deal with my past, and I promise it shall not bother me. I often wear a broach my mama loved, to remember the good times by. This necklace is a treasured tie to your mother. It doesn’t bring them back, I know. But it’s a little comfort.”
Andalin accepted the necklace, and hot tears stung her eyes. She’d missed it. “Thank you.”
Miss Dubois left the room with a pleased smile. Andalin watched her go, feeling a new connection to her cousin with Miss Dubois’s offering of kindness. Andalin fingered the smooth stone, thinking of all it represented. Did the good outweigh the bad? Closing her eyes, she pictured her mama sitting close as they read a book together, the necklace touching Andalin’s face as she leaned in close when the story excited her. Dozens of memories of her mother were tucked away in Andalin’s heart, and the necklace was a constant in each.
It took a little courage, but she undid the clasp and linked the delicate chain around her neck. The stone rested below her throat, and a measure of peace fell upon her. Her anger toward her mother slipped away, replaced with memories of better times.
She was ready now to face the unknown and go down for breakfast. As she neared the staircase, she heard a conversation at the bottom of the stairs. She hesitated when she recognized the voices. They belonged to Lord Kerrigan and Eliana.
