I passed back the letter. “ ‘I am, for now and ever, yours’? It is a big claim. Do you feel the same way?”

She brushed a fingertip over the bold signature. “He is a good man, Gus. This is dangerous for him.”

She had not answered, but I did not push the point. Besides, her answer was in every action and every expression. Instead, I said what was truly playing upon my mind. “You do not have to persuade me of Mr. Kent’s worth, Julia. But you know Duffy will never countenance such a match. And neither will society. He is too far below us.”

She raised her head, mouth mulish. “Michael may be lowborn but he is a man of honor. What about Lord Evan? Do you imagine Duffy will embrace a disgraced nobleman—a convict—into the family just because of his birth?”

I heard the pain in her voice.

“Not at all,” I said. “Duffy will not countenance either match. But the difference is, I do not care what our brother thinks.”

“No, because I do that caring for you,” she snapped. “I am always between you two, building a bridge so that our family does not collapse.”

“I have never asked you to do that,” I said, bristling a little.

She shook her head, not in negation, but as if she was trying to dislodge her ill humor. “I know. But one’s connections are important. We must keep our family together. You, Duffy, and I—we are the only ones left.” She sighed. “Still, it is not fair. Everyone wants to tell us who we can and cannot love. Surely I am old enough to love as I wish. I am of no interest to anyone, yet my life is still under scrutiny. Still directed by others.”

I thought of Lady Hester and Miss Grant and the suffering they had endured because they loved each other. And yet they persisted.

“I suppose it is what you are willing to give up to claim that love,” I said. “Will the love be more than the loss?”

I was not only asking it of my sister. It was the question that I faced as well. Frankly, I felt little regret at the thought of leaving my brother, but could I ever leave my dearest Julia, my ailing twin, to be with Evan?

Even the question brought a clench of pain around my heart. And underneath all the hope of exoneration, I could feel the need to decide bearing down upon me.

28

To their credit, Lady Hester and Miss Grant came down to breakfast and sat with Julia, Charlotte, Mrs. Ellis-Brant, and me. The meal passed without any incident, going some way, I think, to soothing Lady Hester’s alarm.