Page 65 of Married By Twelfth Night
“Truly?” Grace asked, unsure if she should say what was on her mind. “Then . . . then you could never marry Mr. Graham if, say, he proposed to you?”
Ruth scoffed. “Never in a million years. I had started to believe all the insults you paid to his name, but I can honestly say that I find him tolerable enough to be called my brother someday. Getting to knowhim this past month has strengthened my opinion of him. However, I could never care for him in the way you do.” She frowned. “Why would you ask that?”
Grace sighed and ducked her head. “His aunt thinks you are perfect for him.”
Ruth gave her a pointed stare. “What a foolish notion to keep in your head. What matters is what Mr. Graham thinks, and it is obvious that he adores you.”
“What if . . . what if I did not agree with what he wanted to sacrifice in order to be together?”
Ruth shrugged. “I cannot answer well without knowing more details, but would it not be his sacrifice to make and not yours?”
“Yes, but it affects more than him.”
“I see. If his heart is in the right place, you must trust that it will all work out. Or . . .”
“Or?” she held her breath.
“You can turn him down.”
Ruth might as well have sunk a knife into her chest. “Thank you for your advice.”
Ruth patted her lap. “What are older sisters for?”
The sound of gravel crunching through the window pierced her ears and kept her from responding. She whirled around, hands flying to the glass. The Grahams’ carriage!
“He’s here.” She stepped away from the window, smoothing her dress and then her hair. “He’s really here.”
“Stop fussing and breathe a little,” Ruth laughed.
“Breathe? How can I breathe?” Her lungs tightened and her heart pounded against her ribs. She shook her hands in the air, trying to shake off the mounting anxiety. “How do I look? Should I run upstairsand put on some rouge? Or a necklace? I should have worn a necklace today.”
Ruth shook her head. “I have never seen you like this.”
“I should hope not. I have never felt this maddening suffocation before.”
“So that’s what love feels like? Perhaps I can wait a little longer for my turn.” Ruth turned to peer through the window. “Here he comes.”
She squeezed her hands together. “Is he with his family?”
Ruth grinned. “He’s alone.” She swept past Grace. “I will see that you are too.”
“Wait, don’t leave me!” Grace cried.
Ruth only laughed and skirted away.
Time, now conscious of its ill behavior the last few days, did the opposite and sped forward. She hadn’t time to collect herself. Taking several deep breaths, she repeated in her mind Ruth’s advice.Trust that it will all work out.
Surprisingly, it helped, and when Richard came into the drawing room and bowed to her, she was as ready as she would ever be to hear the outcome of his trip.
He lifted his head and smiled.
It wasn’t wide, or teasing, sad, or forced. What did it mean?
“H-how was your trip?”
“We secured a cottage about an hour’s drive from here. It’s significantly smaller than Belside, but there are rooms enough, sufficient funds for a few servants, and enough land for a garden and chickens. Mr. Bowers believes he might have a generous renter. It is not ideal, but our children will inherit a good life.”
Had she heard him right? “Our children?”
