disarranged cravat.
Amy backed away.
"Amy, dear, don't go," said Nell. "Let us explain."
"There's nothing to explain," said Amy numbly. "I'm... I'm very happy for you. I'm sorry I interrupted."
Nell grasped her hand and wouldn't let her flee. "You must come and talk, dear. We can't pretend nothing has happened here. Cedric and I have been feeling dreadful ever since we realized."
Amy found herself sitting down, with Nell and Sir Cedric facing her like guilty children. "Really," she said. "It's nothing to do with me."
"Yes it is," said Sir Cedric firmly, for all that he looked like a raw stripling. "I paid you particular attentions, Miss de Lacy. I was greatly attracted to your beauty, but also by your inner qualities. You have courage, honesty, and wit. I thought we could make a comfortable match of it to both our benefits." He looked to his side and took Nell's hand in his. "My feelings for Nell took me quite by surprise."
Amy was aware that this was a disaster, but she couldn't help delight in their love. "I'm glad," she said. "I truly am."
Nell smiled mistily. "Oh, Amy. You really are amazing. You mean it, don't you?"
"Yes. You both deserve to love and be loved. Everyone does." Amy sighed and rose. "It is probably time for Lizzie and I to return home."
"Lizzie has been offered a home with a friend, Dorothy Fellows," said Nell apologetically. "I think she will prefer to stay in London."
Amy felt as if this was abandonment, which was ridiculous. "Well, that's one less mouth to feed," she said.
She tried to make the door again, but Sir Cedric put himself between her and it. "Miss de Lacy - Amy - I will not let you run away. There are matters to be discussed. Though there is no longer any question of a marriage between us, I do feel very fond of you, as if you were a daughter. I have considered how best to help you - "
"No!" said Amy. "You must not. We are not a charity case."
"You cannot refuse to let me help you."
"I can and do. We will manage for ourselves."
"My dear child, you were willing to sacrifice yourself - for that is what it amounted to - for the sake of your family. Can you not let go of a scrap of your pride?"
Amy was trying to find an answer to this when a commotion erupted outside. "That sounds like Jasper," Amy said in amazement and headed for the door. This time no one stopped her.
Nell's hall was full of people.
"Amy!" cried Jassy, running into her arms. "Isn't this a wonderful surprise?"
Amy hugged her younger sister and looked over at a smiling Beryl. A Beryl who was arm in arm with a frowning Mr. Staverley.
"What on earth has happened?" Amy asked.
"We've come to London for the Season," Jasper announced, then looked over Amy's shoulder. "Good afternoon, ma'am, sir. Sorry for the disturbance. Girls are always a bit overly excitable."
Reminded of her manners, a dazed Amy introduced her family to Nell and Sir Cedric. She still didn't understand why Mr. Staverley was here, especially as he looked so cross about it. "But you can't stay here," she told everyone. "Mrs. Claybury doesn't have room."
There was a gabble of explanation, which Amy could not follow, then Nell's voice cut through. "That is unfortunately true, but at least you must all come in for tea." Within moments everyone was settled in the drawing room and the tea tray had been ordered.
"Now," said Amy. "Will someone please explain what you're up to. This is madness. Where are you all to stay?"
"Owen's hired a house," declared Jasper. "Montague Street. Very handsome."
"But you can't stay there with him," Amy said blankly.
"Can," said Staverley. "Though we're in a hotel for tonight. Your sister and me, we're to be married. Tomorrow. Special license. Wanted to do it back home but she wouldn't hear of it without her favorite sister, so here we are. Honeymoon in London. Bound to be plenty of excitement for the younger ones with the victory celebrations." By the end of this speech, his frown had lifted a little and he merely looked flustered. He took Beryl's hand and they smiled at each other. For the first time, Amy noticed the handsome diamond on her sister's hand.
Amy was speechless. She heard Sir Cedric and Nell say all that was proper and tried to summon the right words herself, but Beryl was sacrificing herself because Amy had failed.
"Amy, dear, aren't you