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Abigail trailed around the parlor, picking up trinkets and setting them back down again. Memories from her time spent here filled her soul with heart-wrenching nostalgia. She curled into her favorite chair and stared out the window at the roses blossoming into an array of splendid colors. Pink, red, and yellow buds dotted the landscape, hoping to become the most breathtaking flower in the garden. She would miss the comfort she found here more than anywhere else.
Abigail tried to draw in the same hope for herself. Could she allow the hope to bloom in her heart? Or should she snip the bud before the thorns of life poked her again?
“I thought I might find you in here,” Colebourne spoke from the doorway. Abigail started to rise, but Colebourne motioned for her to stay seated. “Do you mind the company of an old man?”
Abigail smiled. “I would love your company.”
Colebourne chuckled. “I see you did not refute the claim of my age.”
Abigail laughed. “I apologize, Your Grace, for not correcting you on your youthfulness.”
Colebourne frowned. “Your Grace? I have made a mess of things with you after all.”
Abigail patted his hand. “No. You have not.”
Colebourne sighed, gripping her hand. “Ah, dear. I only ever wished the very best for you. When I took you under my wing after your mother passed, you stole my heart. I looked upon you as my daughter. Over the years, I watched the bond between Lucas and you intertwine. It reminded me of my marriage with Olivia. And in my selfish desire to see you two wed, I ruined the bond with my matchmaking mischief. Can you forgive an old man?”
Abigail’s lips twitched at Colebourne poking fun of himself again. “Only if you can forgive a naïve girl for taking so long to accept the love of this family. I cannot find fault with your interference when I wished for the same outcome. Even when he was out of my grasp because of his betrothal, I never stopped wishing Lucas would declare his love for me.”
“Do you still hope for your wish to come true?”
Abigail’s smile twisted. “Some wishes are never meant to be.”
“And the wishes that are?”
“Well, then the spirit of magic will sprinkle down upon them, helping their cause.”
A twinkle appeared in Colebourne’s eyes. “Magic and hope, that is all one can believe in.”
Abigail never responded. She didn’t wish to encourage Colebourne when she was unsure of herself. Abigail folded her hands in her lap. “I know you do not wish to hear my gratitude. But I will be forever thankful for the love and guidance you gave me over the years. You showed me how patience and forgiveness will heal any heartache one must endure. I’ve never expressed how much you mean to me, but I wish to now. I love you as a father. My mother never told me anything about my father, but over the years, I secretly imagined you as mine.”
Colebourne folded his hands across his chest. “Then, as your father, may I ask what your plans are?”
“I plan to travel to London with the Forresters. Selina invited me to stay with them. I want to give the season another chance and explore the city as I should have done last year. While I am not comfortable in your world, I do not fit in with the servants, either. I need to find the place where I can be my best self. And to do that, I must give new opportunities a chance.”
Colebourne rubbed his hands together. “I could not agree more. With your stay at the Forresters, Susanna can continue to act as your chaperone.”
Abigail rose. “It is time for me to leave.”
Colebourne rose and held out his arms. Abigail went into them and received her first hug from the man she considered a father. The comfort gave her the encouragement she needed to start afresh.
“Will you still join me for tea once in a while?” Colebourne asked.
Abigail winked. “I would not miss it for the world.”
Colebourne reluctantly let Abigail go. He wanted to keep her at Colebourne Manor but understood the need to discover herself on her own terms. He only hoped it wasn’t too late for his son.
Once she reached the door, he had to ask. “Is there anything you wish for me to tell Lucas?”
Abigail turned and her gaze traveled around the parlor, memorizing every detail. Once she landed on Colebourne, she shook her head. Just as she wouldn’t give Colebourne any hope, she couldn’t give Lucas any, either.
If one had no hope, then one wouldn’t get disappointed with the outcome. Or would they?
~~~~~
LUCAS STAGGERED OUT of his bedchamber, searching for the source of the deafening ruckus. Servants were flittering in and out of his cousins’ bedchambers, carrying luggage down the stairs. He stepped out of the way before a trunk swiped him.
Kincaid stepped into the hallway. “I will return after I check with Ralston on our departure.”
Lucas called out before his friend reached the stairs. “Kincaid.” Kincaid stopped and waited for Lucas. They started down the stairs together. “I thought you were staying on through the weekend.”
“Everyone is making the journey to London earlier than planned. Please forgive me, but I cannot talk right now. I must find Ralston. Jacqueline is eager to start the journey, and we want to reach the halfway point by nightfall.”
Lucas waved him off. “Of course, I understand. Is everyone leaving?”
“Yes,” Kincaid called over his shoulder.
By everyone, did he also mean Abigail? No. She wouldn’t leave. Would she?
Lucas rushed back upstairs, rounded the corner, and hurried to Abigail’s bedchamber. Her door stood wide open and there was no activity inside the room. He took a tentative step inside, noting the emptiness.
She left.
There was no sign showing she remained. No bottles of perfume, hairbrush, or ribbons decorated the vanity. No books or candles rested on the nightstand. Even her shawl no longer took up residence on her rickety chair. While he slept off the whiskey, she had disappeared. He had lost his chance to beg for forgiveness.
“She left with Duncan and Selina early this morning,” Evelyn spoke behind him.
“To Scotland?”
“Nay. To London. She wants to attempt the season again.”
Lucas turned slowly, shocked by Evelyn’s words. “You must be mistaken.”
Evelyn shook her head. “I am not.”
“Why?”
Evelyn shrugged. “Something you will have to ask her yourself.”
“How? She made her decision quite clear when she left before giving me a chance to explain.”
“Mmm. I never figured you for a quitter.” Evelyn left and went to Jacqueline’s bedroom.
Lucas followed and leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb. “Do I stand a chance?”
“You will never find out if you do not try,” Evelyn stated.
A finger poked him in his back. Gemma stood behind him, rubbing her stomach. Lucas stepped to the side for her to enter and helped her into a chair.
“If he does not try what?” Gemma asked.
“To win Abigail’s hand,” Jacqueline answered.
Charlie tsked from the doorway. “That is quite a challenge for him to undertake.” She looked him up and down. “Do you imagine he will succeed?”
Jacqueline winked at Lucas. “I believe he will.”
“So do I,” Evelyn added.
Gemma narrowed her gaze. “As long as he does not hurt her again, I say he should try.”
Charlie linked her arm through Lucas’s arm. “If he does, we will feed him to Selina. She has become quite descriptive with her ideas of torture since she married Duncan.”
The girls laughed with delight, but Lucas cringed at the idea of enduring Selina’s idea of torture. While Charlie only meant to lighten the mood, he understood her meaning. If Abigail suffered another moment of heartache from his hands, then they would make him suffer.
“I will make a solemn vow to each of you by promising to make sure Abigail feels loved every day for the rest of her life.”
Jacqueline nodded with approval. “That is all we have ever wanted.”
~~~~~
LUCAS SAW HIS COUSINS and their spouses off. He learned his grandfather, aunt, and uncle had left earlier with Duncan, Selina, and Abigail. Which only left his father and him remaining in the empty manor. His father never spoke his goodbyes and remained hidden away for most of the day. Lucas knew where he would find his father, and he wasn’t mistaken.
The door to his mother’s parlor stood open, and his father sat in his favorite chair, staring out the window. Lucas had only taken a few steps into the room when he breathed in Abigail’s fragrance. She had told his father goodbye, but not him. His father looked over at him, and Lucas felt his father’s sorrow. It was in that moment that he realized how deeply his father cared for Abigail. Oh, he knew he cared for her as his ward and treated her no differently than he did his cousins. But what Lucas hadn’t taken into effect was how his father loved Abigail as a daughter.
Lucas walked to the bookcase and drew out a book of poems his mother favored. He sat across from his father and laid the book on his lap.
“She left,” his father said. Lucas nodded. Colebourne cleared his throat. “I let her go to seek her freedom.”
Lucas traced the lettering on the cover. “She will return.”
“You sound confident.”
Lucas looked his father square in the eye. “Because I am.”
“I suppose you have your own plan.”
Lucas scoffed. “I think you have interfered enough with yours.”
Colebourne chuckled. “Perhaps a bit of advice?”
Lucas flipped open the book to the page earmarked. “And that would be?”
“Make a grand gesture,” Colebourne suggested.
“Such as?”
“I will leave that detail for you to decide.”
Lucas laughed. “Thank you.”
Colebourne leaned back, resting his hands on his stomach. “I only ever wanted you to share the same happiness with Abigail that I shared with your mother.”
Lucas nodded. “I know.”
“Am I forgiven?”
“There is nothing to forgive. A father’s love is only as strong as a child’s love in return. I understand your actions. Even if they were a bit mad.”
Colebourne chuckled. “Madness runs in the family.”
“’Tis something to look forward to.”
Colebourne pointed at the book. “Page forty-five?”
“I thought it would be appropriate.”
“Yes, ‘tis perfect.”
Colebourne closed his eyes as Lucas read from the book. The poem was his mother’s favorite that they shared with nobody else but each other. After his mother died, they had spent many hours together in this parlor grieving for the lady who had the most impact on their lives. Not a day passed by without them remembering the depth of her loss.
Lucas read until his father fell asleep. He set the book on the table and covered his father before returning to his room. While they never discussed their departure, Lucas knew his father wished to follow everyone soon. So he packed his bags, preparing for when they would leave for London. He would give Abigail a few days before he pursued her. Then he would give her what she deserved. A proper courtship with everyone in London watching how much he loved her.
He would leave no doubt in Abigail’s heart of his intentions.