Emily paced the confines of her room, her movements restless and agitated. The anger she felt towards the old Lord Hadley was palpable, but her thoughts kept drifting to Jane. She sank onto the couch, her gaze fixated on the flickering flames in the fireplace, lost in memories of their shared childhood. Jane had always been the enigmatic one, her quiet strength a constant source of comfort during Emily’s wild escapades.Emily recalled vividly the time she had fallen from a tree, breaking her arm despite Jane’s stern warnings. The pain had been sharp, but the real comfort had come from Jane’s unrelenting presence by her side. Jane had been there, day and night, reading to her and soothing her fears until she was healed. Shaking off the nostalgia, Emily resolved to find Jane. This might be their final moments together, and she wanted to cherish them.
She discovered Jane in the drawing room, surrounded by packed belongings, which were being loaded into the awaiting carriage. Their parents stood by, their expressions heavy with unshed tears. Emily’s heart ached—this was truly goodbye.
“Do you mind walking with me?” Emily asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Jane offered her arm, and together they walked toward their cherished garden. The little space had always been their refuge. Jane would often be found beneath the sprawling branches of the maple tree, immersed in her books.
“Remember when we hid out here as children?” Emily’s voice was soft, tinged with nostalgia.
Jane’s eyes sparkled with fond memories. “I remember it well. The nanny would scold us, saying we were always ruining our dresses.”
“I miss her,” Emily said, a wistful smile on her lips.
“Me too,” Jane agreed, returning the smile. “Even though she was often grumpy.”
Emily fought back a smirk. “Could you blame her? We were quite the handful.”
The weight of their impending separation hung heavily between them.
Emily’s voice cracked as she spoke. “You’re leaving.”
Jane took Emily’s hand in hers, her eyes filled with sadness.
“Forgive me, Emily. You know how much I love it here. I wish I could stay with you and everyone else,” she said, spreading her arms in a dramatic gesture. “But alas! I must go to my father’s.”
“The contract is legally binding, and I’d rather not cause trouble for our parents,” Jane added with a sad smile.
Emily’s composure shattered, and tears began to flow freely. Jane pulled her into a tight embrace, her own eyes misty. The housekeeper’s voice broke the moment, announcing it was time for Jane to leave. Emily wiped her tears with the sleeve of her gown, her heart breaking.
“I’ll miss you, Jane,” Emily said through her hiccups.
“We’ll never stop writing to each other.” Jane squeezed her sister’s hand with affection. “I’ll miss you too.”
Inside, the entire household had gathered to bid Jane farewell. The warmth of their love was noticeable. Beth, with tears glistening in her eyes, touched Jane’s curls tenderly. “We love you, Jane. Always.”
Papa’s embrace was firm and heartfelt, and Emily saw the forgiveness and understanding in Jane’s eyes. As Papa released her, Emily stepped forward, hugging Jane tightly.
A single tear slipped down her cheek as she whispered, “Happy birthday. You’ll always be my sister.”
Jane’s eyes filled with mist as she whispered back, “Thank you.”
With a final nod of gratitude to the carriage driver, Jane climbed into the carriage. The horses began to move, and the carriage rolled away from the cottage. Jane turned one last time to look at the home she had always known, the place where her heart would forever reside.
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Of love and deceit
RandomA damaged duke. A misunderstood duchess. A marriage forged in the fires of obligation. When Jane Hadley weds the enigmatic Duke of Heartland, neither of them could foresee the shadows that their union would cast. Bound by duty rather than desire, th...