eased the throbbing in her head and soothed the pain in her heart. Still, a dull ache remained, for despite her most rational reasoning, Charlaine knew that although Nathanial had never promised her more than friendship, he had still stolen her heart.
Unwittingly.
And it seemed she would have a hard time getting it back.
*
With a last glance at the half-finished letter upon the desk, Nathanial moved toward the window and watched the rain come pouring down like a torrent, the sky a dark gray smudge hanging over the world. Wind whipped through the gardens, shaking the trees and pushing against the tall hedges, bending them to its will.
He had meant to be off countless times. And yet, every day, he found a reason to stay. Or rather, a reason not to leave. Was this awful weather a bad omen? Nathanial almost scoffed at the mere thought. Never had he believed in such things. It was not an omen that held him back, but rather an icy lump settling in his belly.
What if he returned to Markham Hall? Would Charlaine send him away? What if he could not find the words to explain himself, to apologize? Would he ruin everything by hastening back?
For days, Nathanial had mulled over these thoughts again and again, not reaching a satisfying conclusion. It seemed there was no right or wrong, and no matter how hard he tried, he would never be able to predict the outcome of his actions. Would his hesitation be his undoing in the end? Would she believe him indifferent and unappreciative of her friendship?
Nathanial heaved a deep sigh. What was he to do?
Footsteps echoed to his ears then, small and delicate, but moving fast, moving with excitement. A moment later, the door to his brother’s study flew open. “Is it not wonderful?” Abigail exclaimed, joy resonating in every word as she moved to his side, her gaze fixed on the rain hitting the windowpane. “It is magnificent!”
Gazing down at her, Nathanial watched as she drew in a slow breath, her eyes wide and eager as she continued to stare out the window. A smile teased its way up onto his face. “Then go,” he told her. “No one is stopping you.”
Her head swung around, her wide, blue eyes finding his. “No one?” she asked dumbfounded, her gaze whispering of disbelief. “Are you serious?”
Nathanial shrugged, then turned his gaze back out the window, that smile still on his face.
Facing him more directly, Abigail watched him, her eyes slightly narrowed. “I cannot believe you’re saying this,” she exclaimed, her voice still ringing with incredulity. “You’ve always been so proper, intent on doing everything just right, never daring to step outside of what is appropriate.” She turned her back to the window, her eyes settling more fully upon his face. “You’ve changed,” she whispered, her gaze growing thoughtful. “You’re different somehow.” She glanced over her shoulder at the pouring rain. “And now, you’re urging me to go outside in the rain?”
Nathanial met her gaze. “Don’t you want to?”
“Of course, I do!”
“Then what’s stopping y—?”
Her arms crossed over her chest. “You never supported my silly fancies as my father called them,” she told him with a huff. “You too thought them silly and childish and—”
“You’re right,” Nathanial interrupted her. “I’ve changed. Now, do you want to go outside?” His gaze held hers, and yet, he did not see her.
For a precious little moment, he saw Charlaine. He saw her exuberant smile and those dark eyes of hers, more often than not lit up with a wicked gleam. Always had she swept him along, not giving him a chance to think things through. More than once, he had tumbled head-first into something he would never have considered had he had time to think on it.
Charlaine, however, had never given him that time, and she had been right not to do so.
“Are you saying you want to come along?” Abigail asked, her jaw dropping in a way that made Nathanial realize he had never known her true self.
Grinning, he grasped her hand, then turned around and pulled her along. They went down the corridor, their steps rushed, eager, impatient, guiding them to the drawing room. There, Nathanial stopped in front of the large French doors and pulled them open.
The sound of pouring rain filled the room, almost deafening to their ears.
“You’re insane,” Abigail gasped as she watched him kick off his shoes, laughter drifting from her lips, her eyes lighting up with something utterly indescribable.
Bending down to pull