The sun was setting as the coach turned down the gravel road to Harrowden Hall. The enormous country home was four levels, square in shape, with towers rising from each corner, and covered in stone.
As the coach came to a stop, Hannah admired the stone portico that protruded over the main door. The footman opened the door and assisted her as she stepped out.
The main door opened, and the butler met her with a smile. “Good evening, Miss Blackmore,” Morton greeted, opening the door wide. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”
“Likewise.” She stepped into the grand double-height entry hall, admiring the ornate columns that ran the length of the room. A black fireplace sat along a wall and a wooden staircase dominated one side of the hall. “Is my sister home?”
“She is,” he replied, closing the door. “Please follow me.”
Hannah followed Morton down a narrow hall and stopped in front of the morning room. He knocked on the door and stood back.
She gave him a questioning look.
“We are required to knock and receive permission before we open any door,” he explained.
“Why is that?”
Morton’s lips twitched. “You’ll see.”
“Enter,” the duke ordered from inside of the room.
Reaching for the handle, Morton opened it and gestured that she should go first. Hannah stepped into the room and saw Amelia was smoothing out her pink gown. The duke was standing next to her with his usual stoic expression, but his dark hair was slightly disheveled.
“Hannah!” Amelia exclaimed.
The next moment, she was wrapped up in her sister’s arms. “What are you doing here?” Amelia asked as she stepped back.
She opened her mouth to respond when Amelia continued. “Did something happen to Kate?” she asked, her eyes wide. “Please tell me that nothing happened to Kate.”
“Kate is perfectly fine.”
“Did something happen to Edward?”
Hannah shook her head. “Everyone is well,” she assured her.
“Then why are you here?” Amelia asked as the duke came to stand next to her.
“I was hoping to reside with you until the end of the Season,” Hannah said with a nervous look at the duke.
Amelia glanced at her husband, who nodded in response. “We would love for you to stay for as long as you are able,” she replied.
“Do you mean that?”
His Grace spoke up. “You are always welcome in our home, Hannah.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Edmund, if you don’t mind,” he responded lightly. “Family doesn’t make use of titles.”
Hannah gave him a grateful smile. “I do appreciate your hospitality.”
“I am sure you are tired from your journey and would like a bath before supper,” Amelia said as she looped arms with her. “Why don’t I show you to your bedchamber?”
“That would be wonderful,” Hannah acknowledged.
The duke kissed Amelia on her cheek. “I will let you two ladies catch up. I’ll be in my study.”
Amelia exchanged a love-filled look with her husband. “I’ll come down after I have ensured Hannah is properly tended to.”
“I shall be looking forward to that,” Edmund said.
Amelia led Hannah out of the room and into the hall. “Morton!” she shouted. “Where are you?”
Morton stepped out from one of the rooms. “Yes, Your Grace?”
“Will you ensure that the lavender room is prepared for my sister?” Amelia asked. “She will be staying with us for the foreseeable future.”
Morton tipped his head. “As you wish.”
“And can you make arrangements for a bath to be sent up to her bedchamber?”
“It shall be done.”
Amelia turned back towards Hannah. “Did you bring Sarah along with you?”
“I did.”
“Splendid,” Amelia declared as they stepped back into the entry hall. “We just need to discuss one more thing, and it is of the upmost importance.”
“Which is?”
Leaning closer, Amelia spoke quietly. “I want you to explain to me why you really came to visit.”
“Pardon?”
Amelia gave her a knowing look as they started up the stairs. “You hate long carriage rides and avoid them at all costs,” she stated. “So, it makes me wonder why you would willingly go on one.”
“I have discovered that carriage rides aren’t as terrible as I once thought,” Hannah lied.
Her sister narrowed her eyes. “Interesting,” she said. “You haven’t lied to me since we were little girls. It makes me wonder what you’re hiding.”
“Perhaps I just wanted to visit my favorite sister.”
Amelia shook her head. “That’s not it.”
“You are entirely too suspicious.”
“It has served me well over the years.”
They continued down the hall and Hannah’s eyes ran along the portraits hanging on the wall. It wasn’t long before they stopped at a door, and Amelia opened it. Hannah stepped inside the room, admiring the lavender-papered walls, four-poster bed, and chaise lounge chair that sat in front of the fireplace.
“This is lovely,” Hannah acknowledged.
Amelia walked over to the bed and sat on it. “The last letter I received from you informed me that you had a suitor, a Lord Charles Brooksbank.”
“That is correct,” she replied.
“Did something happen with him?”
Hannah walked over to the bed and sat down next to her sister. “He offered for me.”
“He did?” Amelia asked, perking up.
She nodded. “But I turned him down.”
“Why did you do that?”
“Because I don’t love him.”
Amelia bobbed her head in approval. “That is a sensible reason to turn down an offer of marriage,” she said. “Is that why you wanted to leave Town for a while?”
Hannah pressed her lips together. “That isn’t it.”
“Then what is?”
She shifted her gaze away from her sister’s. “Do you remember when I informed you that Martin asked us to find him a love match?”
“I do.”
“Well, I’ve always held Martin in high regard, and I was devastated when he asked us to help him.”
“I’m not surprised,” Amelia said. “I always suspected you felt something for him.”
“Regardless, I was unable to put him out of my mind, no matter how hard I tried.”
“That is usually the case.”
Hannah laid back on the bed. “Then he kissed me—”
Amelia cut her off. “He kissed you?”
“He did, but afterwards he told me it was a terrible mistake,” Hannah shared.
“That was poorly done on his part.”
“I would agree, but it changes nothing,” Hannah said. “Martin is adamant that
