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Chapter Twenty-Four

D earest Ethel,

The time to return home has come. I am engaged to Magnus.

Selina’s fingers trembled as she scribbled out a letter to her friend.

Her heart still thumped, and the feeling of dizzy exhaustion still clung to her.

She had been celebrating all day with her family following the Duke’s proposal and had just returned to her room.

The first thing she thought to do upon entering was to write a letter to Ethel.

He proposed just today, in fact. We were enjoying afternoon tea in the drawing room. I had chosen a light blend with Mother, a crisper taste than the usual Earl Grey we most often drink. It was a fine sunny day in the city as well, with no clouds or harsh wind to speak of.

I’d gotten dressed this morning with a feeling of portent in my blood.

Something about today rang through me, and I knew that Magnus would propose.

We’d spoken just yesterday about the solidity of the arrangement.

When the butler announced that the Duke of Aldworth was at our door, Mother had insisted I wait in the drawing room so that he could present himself to me as I sat.

That was, of course, after she chastised me about the dress I’d chosen to wear today and furiously pinched my cheeks to bring the color to them.

After shooing her away, both of my sisters joined her at the wall of the adjoining room so that they could overhear my conversation with the Duke—a fact I learned about once I’d left the room.

Magnus entered as stoic and neutral as always. He simply walked up to me in the drawing room, a smile on his face that didn’t betray extreme excitement or distaste. I looked up at him, putting on my prettiest smile, and waited.

“I have come to formally propose, Selina. Do you accept?” That is what he said. Can you believe him? Always so direct, always such a businessman.

Selina found herself laughing at her own words, but the mirth was short-lived as it had been all day.

This was, after all, just a business arrangement.

She was not marrying Magnus for love, and a new responsibility awaited her when they were wed, and she moved into his estate.

At least her mother and sisters would be there to assist her.

I have so much waiting for me after the wedding.

Magnus has agreed to take in myself along with both of my sisters and Mother, as was my stipulation.

He saw that it would be a benefit to Kitty, his half-sister, who is the true reason he seeks a wife at all.

Poor Kitty’s mother is not well, and it is certain that she will not live past the Season.

So, of course, we decided to wed before it ends.

A rather short engagement, I know. But times must. And you see now that you must come home.

I need you to be present at my wedding. I also feel that, as you are my dearest friend, I would not only like you right by my side when I say the “I dos,” but I would also like to confess something to you—again.

I do not love Magnus. I’m sure you’re aware of this, thanks to my previous letters, assuming you have read them. No, what I refer to now is something that I didn’t fully realize until recently. Though again, with your keen insight, you may have likely already come to this conclusion.

I—

Her quill hovered over the page, threatening to drip ink onto it. Selina pulled her hand back, setting the quill down in the inkpot. She forced herself to take a long breath. She wanted to share this with Ethel, to relieve herself of some of the burden of carrying it.

Still, it was something Selina felt oddly about. There was no changing the future, and yet, her heart continued to tell her the same thing over and over. There would be no acting on it, and still, she could not let go of the truth.

Perhaps writing it down on the parchment and sending it off would free her from it. Lord knew if Ethel was actually reading the letters, so this might still remain a solemn secret. But in either case, Selina knew she must get the words out of her somehow. And this seemed as good an option as any.

Picking up her quill, she put the tip to the paper once more.

—have feelings for Hugh. We spoke the other day about setting my sister free of his marriage demands, and there was a moment where I thought he might ask for my hand, this alternative to marrying me off.

But he didn’t.

It has not changed my feelings of course, and as I heard Magnus’ proposal, my eyes found Hugh, who stood in the doorway, having escorted Magnus in alongside the butler. My stare lingered there for longer than I care to admit, but still, I said yes to Magnus.

Please come home, Ethel. I need my dear friend beside me. And if you are unwell or in trouble, tell me now, and I will drop everything I have going on and rush to find you at once. I miss you.

Your friend,

Selina