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Sarah shrugged. “I honestly don’t know, Eleanor.” Her lip began to tremble.

“Oh, Sarah. I’m sorry. It’s too fresh.” She waved her hands in front of her. “Never mind. Let’s not worry about that now. Let’s get you freshened up and we’ll have some breakfast. Once we get some food in you things won’t seem so bad.”

Just then a loud wail sounded from down the hall.

“Oh look,” Eleanor sighed. “I see my daughter is ready for her second act. And you’re awake, so you get to listen to it as well.”

Sarah giggled. “It’s the most beautiful concert I’ve ever heard.”

Eleanor paused in the doorway. “Just you wait, dear sister. We’ll see how you feel about her wails after a few days.” She winked. “Now, get dressed and I’ll meet you in the breakfast room.”

Sarah nodded as her sister closed the door behind her.

Sarah sat in the breakfast room waiting for her sister and Angela to come in. Their cook had made a buffet of eggs, biscuits, sausage, different breads and fruit. It was more than any one person could eat.

“Your Grace?” A voice called from the doorway.

William stood looking in, his hat in his hands.

“William! You’re still here!” Sarah was relieved. They arrived very late last night and she worried about him and the coachman driving back late into the night.

William nodded. “Yes, Your Grace. Their Graces were kind enough to let me and Cobbins stay the night due to the lateness of our arrival.”

“Have you eaten breakfast?” She gestured to the table of food in front of them.

William waved her off. “Of course, Your Grace. The staff here has taken good care of us.” He looked down at his feet before returning his gaze.

“I was just wondering, Your Grace, if, um, you’d be returning with us?” He sounded hopeful and it broke Sarah’s heart to be honest with him.

“I’m sorry, William, no. I’ll be here… for awhile.” Sarah’s heart sank at her own response. She already missed the staff at the estate but she could no longer live on the outside.

William shook his head sadly. “I understand, Your Grace. May I just say…” he paused to clear his throat. “I’ve enjoyed your presence in our home. I hope your stay here with your sister is enjoyable but that you’ll be home soon.”

Sarah bit the inside of her cheek. “Well, it would be lovely to have a home to return to, but first, it would need to feel like a home.”

William flinched, causing Sarah to sigh. She was taking it out on the wrong person.

“Please forgive me, William. You and the staff welcomed me into the home and were there for me when I most needed a friend. I can never repay your kindness. Thank you. Please tell Lizzie and Mrs. Bates that I miss them.”

William placed his hat on his head and nodded.

“And William? Please take care of yourself. And, court Miss Cordell appropriately. I hear she likes daisies.”

Her smile faded as William turned and left.

She watched the carriage leave from the window in the breakfast room. The further the carriage drove from the house, the heavy her heart felt. It took everything in her body to keep her seated while William was in here. She wanted nothing more than to put her pride aside and follow him back into the carriage.

However, she knew nothing would have changed and she needed to put her happiness first. Her romantic heart was breaking behind the wall of bricks it finished building last night.

It was time for her more mature, guarded heart to form and help her move onto the next phase in her life. If only she knew what that was.

CHAPTER 26

“Samuels!” Charles bellowed from his study. He pushed the papers around his desk, he picked up a book and tossed it across the room, narrowly missing his sister who stepped in through the door.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

Charles looked up. “You’re not Samuels.”