Kate’s voice came from the doorway. “Did you tell him?”
“I did, but only after he offered for me,” she revealed.
“How did he take it?”
Hannah gave her a weak smile. “He responded as an honorable gentleman would,” she replied. “He was gracious and kind, everything I knew him to be.”
“You made the right choice.”
“I know, but my heart does ache for Lord Charles,” she replied. “He deserved better.”
Kate stepped further into the room. “You never meant to deceive him.”
“No, but I did break the one rule we ask from our clients,” she said. “My heart was already taken by another.”
Quiet stretched between them, and Hannah felt no need to fill it with empty words. Kate eventually broke the silence. “Would you care to go shopping today?”
“I would not.”
Kate moved closer and placed a comforting hand on her sleeve. “We could go riding?” she suggested.
Hannah gave her sister a weak smile. “I understand what you are trying to do, and I thank you for it. But I think it would be best if I packed for Amelia’s country estate.”
“You don’t have to go.”
“I know, but I want to.”
“As you wish,” Kate murmured, “but I will be sad to see you go.”
Hannah embraced her sister. “Thank you for always being there for me, Kate,” she remarked.
“It is what any good sister does.”
“No, you have been exemplary in your care for me and Amelia,” Hannah said, leaning back. “You kept our family together after our parents died.”
Tears filled Kate’s eyes. “I did what Mother and Father would have wanted.”
“That you did,” Hannah agreed. “I’m sorry for whatever hardships I caused for you as you helped shape me into the woman I am today.”
“Mother and Father would have been proud of the woman you have become,” Kate acknowledged, putting her hand up. “I know you don’t like to talk about them, but—”
Hannah interrupted, “I find that I am not as opposed to it as I once was.”
Kate smiled through her tears. “I am pleased to hear that.”
“I’ll go inform Sarah of my decision to depart for Harrowden Hall.” Hannah walked over to the door and stopped. “This is for the best, Kate. I’m sure of it.”
As she stepped out into the entry hall, Hannah hoped her words were true, but she couldn’t help but wonder if she was just lying to herself.
Martin rubbed his eyes as he sat at his desk. He was trying to get through all of his work, but he couldn’t seem to think about anything but Hannah. And the kiss. If it was such a mistake, then why did he keep reliving the moment over and over? The warmth of her lips on his was far better than anything he could ever describe. It felt perfect, as if he was always meant to kiss her.
Despite that, he knew Hannah deserved better than what he had done to her. He had sent flowers with two apology notes, hoping she would forgive him, but he knew it wouldn’t be that easy. It never was.
His sister’s voice came from the doorway. “You look awful.”
“Thank you,” he remarked dryly. “What is it that you want?”
Marianne walked further into the room and sat down in front of the desk. “I haven’t seen you since you abruptly left while we were playing cards last night.” She smiled. “By the way, Mother was rather furious with you for that.”
“I have no doubt, but I couldn’t take any more of Lady Isabella.”
“None of us could.”
He leaned back in his chair. “It was rather exhausting to hear her go on and on about her many accomplishments.”
“Only to discover she is not that talented at the pianoforte.” Marianne giggled. “She was terrible.”
“I feel as if someone should tell her.”
“Where would the fun be in that?”
“I do see why you take issue with Lady Isabella,” he said. “She is pretty enough, but she is quite disagreeable.”
“That is a kind way of saying she is truly awful.”
“I never said that.”
Marianne gave him a knowing look. “You implied it.”
Martin smiled. “Perhaps.”
“I do pity the fool who is stuck marrying her.”
Martin shrugged. “One could only hope that she has a brother for you,” he joked.
“That isn’t funny.”
“It is, just a little.”
Marianne eyed him curiously. “May I ask why you appear so disheveled today?”
“I had a fitful night.”
“I see,” she said. “Were you thinking about Lady Isabella?”
He shuddered. “Heavens, no.”
“Then what kept you awake?”
“Nothing that you need to concern yourself with,” he said.
Marianne leaned forward in her seat. “Was it about Hannah?”
He looked at her in surprise. “Why would you suppose that was the case?”
Marianne smirked as she leaned back. “You have spent an awful lot of time with her lately, and I couldn’t help noticing you were in a terrible mood when you arrived home after visiting her yesterday.”
Rising, Martin walked over to the door and closed it. “It would be best if this conversation remained private.” He returned to his chair and lowered his voice. “I did something I should not have.”
“Which was?”
He frowned, then admitted, “I kissed her.”
Marianne’s brow shot up. “You kissed her?” she asked. “How did Hannah respond?”
“She kissed me back.”
Clasping her hands together, his sister exclaimed, “This is wonderful news!”
He shook his head. “You’re wrong,” he replied. “It’s terrible news.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Don’t you see that I made a huge mistake by kissing her?”
Marianne furrowed her brow. “How so?”
“It could jeopardize our entire friendship.”
“But you have feelings for her?” Marianne asked.
He shifted his gaze away. “I don’t know.”
“You kissed her, but you were unsure of your feelings?”
Martin winced. “I care for her deeply, but I don’t want to do anything to risk losing her as a friend.”
Marianne pressed her lips together, then said, “You already did.”
“I tried explaining it was a mistake, but—”
His sister cut him off. “You told Hannah that kissing her was a mistake?”
He nodded.
“Idiot,” she muttered under
