I wanted to return in time for the opening of the World Fair in May, but the way Theo was smiling said he was thinking about something else entirely. The glint in his eyes sent me blushing all over again.

Oh. Well. That!

So that I wouldn’t die of embarrassment, I channeled my thoughts to practicalities we had to consider. “Where will we live?”

“I will find a suitable apartment. We’ll decorate it with Vincent’s paintings. And when we are settled in, we will invite him.”

This was how I knew Theo was a man capable of great love. I could see the ocean of brotherly love in his heart. I could trust my own feelings to a man like that. He was never withdrawn, never cold, never dismissive, never too embarrassed to show his feelings. His passion burned bright, whether for me, or his work, or his family.

He cradled my face in his hand. “My dearest, dearest Jo. How lucky I am.”

I thought he might kiss me again, right in front of the others—Annie and Dries had just come back—but a knock on the front door interrupted.

Dries talked briefly with a man on the steps, then returned with a telegram. He handed it to Theo. “Your lodger sent it on.”

Theo read the contents at once, lines forming on his forehead, an invisible plow digging furrows into his skin. “Vincent is grievously ill with a nervous breakdown.” The words escaped him in a desperate rush. He reached for me. “Gauguin advises me to travel to Arles immediately.”

I embraced him, my heart pounding against his, sharing the same rhythm.

Neither Dries nor Annie said anything about propriety.

“I shall write as soon as I arrive to Arles.” Theo pulled away, grabbed his coat and hat, then launched through the door. One last glance—a look of pain—and he was gone.

“And while I wait, I shall pray for Vincent!” I rushed out into the cold, into the night, calling after him.

I clutched my hands and watched my beloved until the darkness swallowed his dear silhouette, then I stood there disoriented. I felt as if that same darkness had swallowed my heart. How could our moment of happiness end this fast?

A breath ago, we’d been admiring a painting. Then I was engaged. Then tragedy struck and Theo was gone, before we could even properly celebrate. Shivering in the cold, I looked around for proof that the proposal had happened and hadn’t been one of my girlish daydreams.

Dries drew me back inside. “Vincent will recover. He has these spells from time to time.”

Annie clicked her tongue. “Let us hope it’s not a bad omen.” She faced the mirror and patted down a few stray strands of hair. “I am glad to see no snow tonight. A dry winter is the best, don’t you think?”

Oh, who wants to chat about the weather!