Chapter Thirty-Eight
L ily held her sleeping baby as she watched the coming sun turn the sky a hazy pink. It was almost dawn.
She didn’t know what would happen. Had Finn found her letter? Had he called off the foolish duel? If not, would someone be hurt this day? Would someone die?
While she’d once hated Reggie with every part of her being for what he’d done, her anger had resolved into disinterest. He wasn’t worth any passion even hatred. He was no one.
He could not hurt her any longer for he didn’t hold even a sliver of her heart.
But Finn…
A soft knock came, followed by Martha’s presence.
“I figured you would be awake,” she said softly as she came closer and brushed a hand over William’s downy blond hair.
It had only been a few hours since Martha had been pulled from her bed to find Lily pacing in her drawing room in tears.
Lily told her sister everything, from thinking she’d fallen in love with Reggie to realizing she was in love with Finn. So in love, she was willing to walk away if it meant he would be safe.
“I’m worried he might still go through with it.”
Martha waved her hand. “Men do many foolish things, but most don’t cause lasting harm. I’m sure he will be knocking upon my door and begging you to come home soon enough.”
That was what their father would have done for Mama, because it was what was expected. Their mother wouldn’t come home for anything less than a full round of begging. But Lily was not like their mother. She didn’t want Finn to beg her to stay. He had already done enough for her. And now she needed to do what was right for him.
“Thank you for allowing us to stay with you last night,” Lily said to change the subject.
Martha shook her head.
“We are sisters. Perhaps not as close as we should be, but I think the two of us could be friends. You are welcome to stay.”
While Martha hadn’t said how long they were welcome to stay, Lily knew there would be a limit. It was true, she and Martha had become closer, Lily wasn’t certain what might happen when Finn filed for divorce. Lily would be tainted with scandal. And Martha would not want Lily’s shame as a shadow over her home.
Lily would need to find another way.
But this time she was not without funds. She had her dowry which Finn had put aside for her. And unlike the last time when she’d faced the unknown, she was no longer a na?ve girl.
Her dowry would be enough to keep her and William comfortable if she planned wisely. She only needed to decide where to go, and no one would ever find her again.