The Importance of Being Scandalous by Kimberly Bell

Author:Kimberly Bell [Bell, Kimberly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Entangled Select Historical
Published: 2017-07-24T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

The first thing Amelia did when she arrived was go straight to her sister’s room. The maid, Nora, was sitting in a chair by the bed. Julia was lying still with her eyes closed, and she was so dreadfully pale. Amelia climbed into bed next to her. No more of people telling her she couldn’t have her sister.

“Miss, I’m not sure you should—”

“She’s allowed,” Julia said, leaving her eyes closed.

“Miss Julia, your father said—”

“Mia has had a dreadful scare. She thought I was going to die without having forgiven her for being so horrible to me. You wouldn’t want her to remain guilty and miserable would you, Nora?”

The maid’s face settled into resignation. “No, miss.”

“Has she been completely dreadful?” Amelia tucked herself in next to Julia.

Julia gasped. “I have been a saint.”

Nora’s expression told a different story. “None of us behave our best when we’re feeling poorly, Miss Amelia.”

“That’s it.” Julia coughed. “I want Mrs. Polk back.”

“Well, you can’t have her,” Nora said without sympathy. “You scared her half to death, trying to die, and she’s having a rest.”

“You could have one as well,” Amelia offered. “I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

Nora looked between the two of them. “Miss Julia?”

Julia sighed. “Fine, but bring cake when you come back.”

“Oh yes, Your Highness. Your wish is my command, Highness.” The maid laughed her way out the door.

Amelia leaned in to whisper in her sister’s ear. “You two seem to be getting on.”

“She’s growing on me,” Julia whispered back. “Once she got over the pity and the mousiness, she’s actually rather interesting.”

A weight lifted off Amelia’s chest. Julia hadn’t been miserable and alone. She’d had Nora to keep her wickedness entertained. “You tried to die?”

“I didn’t try, so much as it just sort of happened.”

“Is it done happening?” Amelia asked.

“I think so.”

The danger was past. Another weight gone. There was time to say what needed to be said and put things to rights between them.

“Are you going to go back to being cross at me?” Julia asked. “Because if you are, I might try to die on purpose to get you to see sense again.”

Amelia laughed. “No, I’m not going to go back to being cross. Are you going to keep insisting I should marry Embry?”

“Yes. I think it’s what’s best for you. But you aren’t required to agree with me.”

“Well, that’s a first.”

“I know. I must truly be ill this time.”

Amelia laughed. She laid a hand on Julia’s brow. It was warmer than it ought to be, but not dangerously hot.

Julia closed her eyes again. “Mia, are you…can you stay awhile, or do you have to go back?”

“Would you like me to stay?” Amelia asked.

Julia nodded, sounding drowsy. “Only for a while. Embry can spare you for a little while.”

Embry could spare her for a lifetime, if Amelia had any say in the matter. She snuggled in closer to her sister, running soft fingertips over her hair. “I’ll stay as long as you like.”

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