An Impossible Fate: A Victorian Romance (The Harcourts: Another Generation Book 5) by Penny Fairbanks

Author:Penny Fairbanks [Fairbanks, Penny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-12-29T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Commotion downstairs disrupted the peaceful quiet of Amelia’s bedroom. Colette, seated in front of her cousin’s vanity, exchanged curious glances with Amelia through the mirror.

“We should go investigate,” Colette suggested, intrigue getting the better of her despite the time.

“Just one last finishing touch,” Amelia insisted. Her fingers danced over a selection of jeweled pins from her own modest collection and picked up a rich amethyst that would complement Colette’s silk evening gown, nestling it snugly amongst her curls. “There. Perfect,” she announced. “Mr. Walsingham will fall madly in love with you tonight if he is not already—and I very much suspect that he is.”

“Amelia,” Colette whined, that irksome blush returning once more. It had been a frequent visitor ever since the day in the alley. Colette prayed it would leave her be soon. She was running out of plausible explanations to dismiss her color changes.

“He is, cousin, I swear it,” the other lady argued. She held out a hand for Colette and pulled her to her feet, eyes roaming up and down her figure for final approval.

“He is…very fond of me,” Colette admitted.

Despite everything that had happened so far, it felt strange to name this growing feeling between them as love—even as that voice deep in her heart tugged at her, encouraging her to hear the truth. They had only known each other a month and a half after all.

Amelia looked at Colette with annoyed disbelief. “Fond? Colette, a gentleman does not call you by your Christian name and kiss your hand romantically in an alley of all places if he is merely fond.”

“You two are still in here?” Aunt Caroline’s slightly harried voice called from the door. “Finish up and come to the drawing room at once. Jasper, Pippa, and May are here.”

Both young ladies shot grins at each other that the ever proper Aunt Caroline did not bother to correct. Hand in hand, they followed the older woman down the hall and to the stairs. Once on the level below, they rushed into the drawing room where Uncle Arthur and Amelia’s other siblings waited.

“How lovely to see you all!” Colette cheered, crossing the room with open arms. She enveloped Jasper first, then Pippa, and finally little May who dared to offer a shy smile before slipping behind her mother’s skirts again. “I am so sorry I have not had more time to visit,” she added, taking in the sweet family.

“Do not worry, cousin, we understand,” Jasper said, gripping Colette’s upper arm. “You have been busy living your life and we have been busy adjusting to ours.” He gazed down at May with a fatherly smile. “She has settled in so very well, but there is still much work to be done. The suffering at the orphanage, the abandonment—it is difficult for a child to process. Pippa is so fantastic with her, just as she was with Rebecca. May still has nightmares and odd behaviors, but they have been reduced significantly.”

“Of course,” Colette nodded sympathetically. She turned her attention to Pippa.

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