inwardly as her sister began to sniffle. “Heather, don’t start crying. I won’t allow it.”
“I can’t help it. I’m going to miss you and Holly so much. You’ll be marrying Ronan, and then I’ll be all alone.”
Dahlia had gone out of her way to be cheerful. Yes, her sister needed a little more time to come into her own. “Our family is too large. You will never be on your own.”
“It isn’t the same. You’ll both have husbands, and I won’t.”
Oh, heavens! Was Heather bent on making the same mistake she almost made with Gerald? “Don’t talk like that.” She cast her Aunt Sophie a pleading glance.
Her aunt came over and took Heather in hand. “My dear, you’ll know when the time is right for you. Don’t rush into anything because you are eager to be a bride. You don’t even have a beau yet.”
“But Lady Withnall said I’ve already met the man I’m going to marry.”
Dahlia tried not to lose patience with her sister. “Yes, but he hasn’t made his feelings known to you. In the meanwhile, you’ll have a line of gentlemen eager to pursue you. Enjoy your season. Take time to sort out your feelings.”
“And read that book. I will get it next, won’t I?”
“Yes. Heather, please. Don’t leap into marriage because Holly and I will be married. I haven’t even had my wedding ceremony yet.” She shook her head and sighed. “We’ll talk about it later. All right? Just let me get through this day.”
“Oh, I’m so horrid! Of course.” She allowed Aunt Sophie to scoot her away.
After issuing another quick thank you to everyone for their concern, Dahlia returned upstairs. Ronan must have found The Book of Love in the drawer of the night table, because he was reading it as she walked in.
He shut it and smiled at her. “I was bored. Probably not the right thing to say to the young woman I’m about to marry. But you were downstairs, and my mind was still racing. I thought I would read it again while you were gone.”
“Better put it away before Heather comes up here. She’s feeling as though she’s just lost her two sisters and is taking it hard. I don’t want her rushing into marriage simply because she does not wish to be left out. I want her to have the book...”
“But?”
“Something is holding me back. I don’t know, perhaps it is just my muddled head. I’ll think more clearly after we’re married.”
He cleared his throat. “I have a suggestion.”
She was eager to hear it. “About Heather and the book?”
He nodded. “Robbie wants to read it, too. He’s levelheaded and experienced.”
“A little too experienced,” she said with a frown.
“He’s honorable, Queen Pea. He would never take advantage of Heather. I’ll have his word on it, and he will never break that oath. You’re worried that she’ll be distracted by the wrong man, aren’t you?”
“Yes, it is my greatest fear. I don’t want her to lie to herself and force a love match where no love exists. I did this with Gerald, and I’m so afraid she learned nothing from my experience.”
“All the more reason to have her read the book with Robbie. He’ll watch over her and protect her from making a mistake.”
“Ronan, do you hear yourself? If they read it together, he’s going to fall in love with her. Isn’t this what happened to us? Not to mention, Holly and Joshua and Violet and Romulus. Same for Belle and Finn. Need I go on? We all fell in love over this book. Are you purposely matchmaking?”
“No, I’ll leave that plotting to you ladies. But you’ve just told me Heather is young and impressionable. She wants to leap into marriage because her two sisters will be married. Do you or do you not wish to stop her?”
“I do. How can I convince her the consequences will be disastrous?”
“She has to figure it out on her own. And while she does, Robbie will be there to protect her if she’s about to make a mistake. He’s an excellent judge of character. He will know to chase away the bounders and only allow the worthy men near. He will be vigilant and diligent, and no one will do a better job of looking out for her.”
Dahlia had to admit the idea had merit. “Having them read it together may not be such a bad idea. If she reads it on her own, she will miss the entire point of the book.”
He smiled at