Damien gave her a quick hug. “By the way, happy birthday, Celine.”
She smiled at him. “Merci! Now go!” The two opened the door a slit, checking the hallway. It was clear, so they made their way out and to their own rooms.
Celine paced the floor for a few minutes then sat down at the desk in the room, preparing to write a letter to her father. She had only recorded the date and heading before she heard a knock. “Celine? Celine! It’s me,” Celeste’s voice called out, “Please open the door. Sister, please. I am not cross, I just want to talk.”
Celine put down her quill and, unlocking her door, let Celeste into the room. She was carrying a tray. “Happy birthday, sister dear!” Celeste said brightly. “I brought you some breakfast and some tea. Teddy told me you were not in attendance for breakfast this morning.”
“Thank you but please, Celeste, I am not hungry.”
“Oh, Celine, please try to eat something. I worry about you.”
Celine was silent, afraid if she spoke she may say something to her sister that she would regret.
“Please, Celine, can we talk?”
“I do not feel well enough to talk,” Celine said.
“That’s fine, Celine, then just listen,” Celeste said, setting the tray on the bed and drawing Celine to sit down with her on the edge. She took her sister’s hands in hers. “I heard that you did not accept Duke Northcott’s proposal.” Celine began to pull her hands away but Celeste kept a firm grip on them. “I am not cross, perhaps I pushed you too hard. Perhaps you are not ready, particularly for such an imposing man. Please, sister dear, can you forgive me for the short-tempered words that we exchanged yesterday?”
Celine looked into her sister’s eyes, a match to hers in every way. She searched them for any signs she was lying. Was her sister letting her off the hook? “Oh, Celeste, of course I forgive you! You are my sister, you will always be my sister and I hate it when we fight.” Moving closer, she threw her arms around Celeste in an embrace.
Celeste let out a sigh of relief and a laugh. “Oh, I love you, Celine, really I do, that is why I sometimes get so cross. I want only the best for you.”
“I know,” Celine said, leaning back to face her sister again.
“Now,” Celeste said, “don’t think I have gone too soft and agree with you. I still believe that Duke Northcott is a good match for you and I know that he is still interested. You have made an impression on him, sister dear. I hope that I can convince you of that, but I do not want to quarrel with you over it. Not before your breakfast anyway.” She laughed, motioning to the tray.
“Celeste, please, I don’t want to quarrel with you either, but I do not agree he is a good match. He is a violent man. And I did initially accept his proposal last night,” Celine said, eating a bit of the porridge and taking a sip of tea.
“You did? Whatever happened for you to change your mind so quickly?”
Celine nodded as she ate another few spoonfuls of porridge. “I did as you and Teddy advised. Oh, Celeste, I really did try. He insisted that we marry today. I disagreed. I wanted Papa to be here. I did not understand why we should be so quick to marry. I would be married before Papa even learned I was engaged.”
“And?” Celeste prompted, waiting as Celine ate more and sipped more of her tea.
“And he did not react well. He grabbed my wrist, twisting it until I was in pain and told me I must learn to obey him. His sudden turn frightened me and I called it off.”
Celeste considered the story for a moment while Celine finished her porridge. “You know, Celine, I don’t always agree with Teddy, but I do as he sets forth, that is part of being a good wife. You are so young to understand and it must seem terribly unfair, particularly since Papa has let you do as your heart pleased for so long. He has spoiled you.” She smiled, tucking a lock of hair behind Celine’s ear. “But it is my job as your older sister to make sure you will be looked after.”
“You think I should have agreed then?”
Celeste stood, walking a few steps away from the bed, contemplating the question. After a moment, she responded, “You reacted hastily. You should have sought me out for counsel. Together we would have sorted things out. Teddy and I are your guardians at the moment, we could have intervened.”
“I did not expect you would have listened, Celeste.”
“And for that I am sorry,” she said, turning to face her.
Celine sighed. “It is over now,” she said, stifling a yawn. “I am feeling very tired. I must confess, I did not sleep well.”
“Oh, yes, no doubt from the upset. Again, I apologize for my part in that but I hope it is resolved and we can put it behind us.”
Celine smiled sleepily. “Yes.”
“Here, let me help you into bed,” Celeste said, pulling the covers up around her, “rest now, sister dear, rest.” Celeste kissed her forehead as Celine’s eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep.
Celeste moved the tray from the bed, setting it on the dressing table before opening the door. “Is it done?” Duke Northcott asked, entering the room.
“It is. She is sleeping, the sedative acted as we expected.”
Duke Northcott approached the bed, staring down at Celine. He traced a finger down her cheek before leaning in to kiss her slightly parted lips. “Soon, my dear Celine, you will be mine,” he whispered.
“Duke?” Celeste said gingerly, “If I may be so bold as to say I believe my sister was earnest in her acceptance of you last night. I believe she may have been overwhelmed and frightened when she behaved so poorly.”
“I admire your sister’s strength and steadfastness to her
