Hannah’s heart filled with dread, knowing what the question was. It was the one she would ask their clients whenever they were about to accept an offer of courtship. It was a simple question, but one that had a profound impact.
Kate lifted her brow. “Do you love Lord Charles?”
Hannah pursed her lips as she delayed her response. She already knew what the answer was, but she didn’t want to say it out loud.
“I’m afraid your silence speaks volumes, sister,” Kate said.
Hannah felt the tears prick at the back of her eyes. “I do care for Lord Charles, but I am in love with Martin.”
“There is no shame in that.”
The words had barely left her sister’s mouth when Hannah exclaimed, “But Martin doesn’t want me! He would rather marry someone he has just become acquainted with than me.”
“That may be true, but—”
Hannah spoke over her sister. “I have pined over Martin for far too long,” she said. “I thought by selecting a suitor, I would be able to forget about him and move on. But my plan clearly did not work as well as I’d hoped.”
“What are you going to do now?” Kate asked with a lifted brow. “You can’t just sit in your bedchamber and cry about it.”
“You’re right,” Hannah responded. “I need to stop being unfair to Lord Charles and break things off between us. He deserves better treatment than I have given him.”
“That is a good start.”
“Then I am going to start picking up the pieces of my shattered heart and accept the fact that Martin and I are not meant to be.”
Rising, Kate walked over and embraced her. “You will find someone who recognizes how truly wonderful you are.”
“I’m not so sure,” Hannah said, leaning back. “I think it might be best if I stop looking for a suitor for the time being.”
“That is your choice.”
“I know that we preach of love, but I must wonder if everyone is blessed enough to have it in their lives.”
Kate arched an eyebrow. “You are becoming a cynic now, despite what we have accomplished with our clients in the past?”
“I know I sound contradictory, but I don’t believe I will be lucky enough to find love twice in one lifetime.”
Kate gave her a look filled with compassion. “Love comes in the most unexpected places,” she reminded Hannah. “Don’t give up on finding your own love story.”
“I won’t, but I need to take a break for a while.”
“No matter what happens,” Kate said, “you will always have me and Amelia in your life. We are not going anywhere.”
“I know, and I am immensely grateful for that.”
Kate walked over to the door. “Would you care to join me and Edward in the drawing room for some card games?”
“I think I would prefer to be alone this evening.”
Kate gave her an understanding nod. “But we will see you for breakfast tomorrow?” she asked with a pointed look.
Hannah gave her sister a weak smile. “I will be there.”
After her sister left the room, Hannah walked over to her bed and dropped down on it. For now, she would allow herself the luxury of crying. It wasn’t something she did often. But come tomorrow, she would not waste another tear on Martin.
15
Hannah gracefully descended the stairs as she headed towards the breakfast parlor. She’d had a fitful night’s sleep, but she was tired of crying over Martin. For someone who was determined to move on from him, she had done a rather poor job of it thus far. But she wasn’t going to be a simpering miss any longer. She would prove to herself that she didn’t need Martin in her life.
She smiled at Cooper as she descended from the last step. “Good morning,” she greeted.
“Good morning, miss,” he responded. “I trust you slept well.”
“I’m afraid not.”
He gave her a concerned look. “Is everything all right?”
She nodded. “It will be.”
“I am pleased to hear that,” he replied sincerely.
Hannah stepped into the breakfast parlor and saw that she was the first to arrive. She approached the buffet table and put two pieces of toast on her plate, then walked over to the table.
As she sat down, Edward and Kate stepped into the parlor, surprised looks on their faces. “Good morning, Hannah,” Kate said. “You’re up early, I see.”
“I am,” she responded. “I found that I couldn’t sleep and saw no reason to continue lingering in bed.”
Kate put a hand on her shoulder. “I am pleased to see you out of your bedchamber and looking so well.”
“Thank you,” she replied.
Edward had filled his plate and now sat down. “We missed you last night,” he said. “Your sister beat me rather soundly at cards.”
Hannah smiled at her brother-in-law. “Kate has always had a knack for card games.”
“It’s true,” Edward replied, lowering his voice. “I have often suspected she cheats.”
Kate spoke up. “You’re starting to sound like a sore loser, my dear,” she declared good-naturedly.
“I have yet to discover anything you aren’t good at,” Edward shared.
“Then you are blinded by love,” Kate teased.
“So be it.”
Hannah stifled a sigh at their tender exchange. Would she ever find someone who would love her as much as Kate and Edward loved one another?
Cooper stepped into the room with two large bouquets in his hands. “These have just come for you,” he told Hannah.
She looked at him in surprise. “May I ask who they are from?”
“They are both from Lord Egleton,” Cooper informed her. “Would you care to read the cards?”
Hannah shook her head. “That won’t be necessary,” she replied. “Will you see that they are disposed of?”
Cooper lifted his brow. “You wish for me to dispose of them?” he asked, repeating her odd request.
“Yes, please,” she said with a flick of her wrist. “I care not what you do with them.”
The butler tipped his head before he departed from the parlor.
Hannah turned back towards her food and took a bite of her toast. As she reached for her teacup, Kate spoke. “May I ask why you refused
