by Megan Walker
I must have watched the window for hours. Your poor messenger is on a walk to stretch his legs from such a journey. I do hope he recovers after traveling to and fro.
Clara and Sir Ronald have set a date for a week from now. Sir Ronald procured a common license as they do not wish to draw more attention than necessary after the scandal. Perhaps we should do the same?
Our things from Gray House will be arriving in a few days. Prepare yourself for my many trunks. Did I tell you I love to collect seashells?
Only joking, dearest. I can hardly wait to see your estate and imagine you as a child there. It is lonely without you, now that all the company has gone. Sir Ronald is a busy man, but I am pleased with how hard he works to recover his estate. I can see why the two of you are such good friends.
Give Georgiana time. Loving her will do for now.
How I miss you. How I long to be in your arms again.
Ever yours,
Amelia
Dearest Amelia,
Our license is settled. The bishop was more than eager to offer it as he believes Georgiana is in need of a proper lady’s influence. I have all but given up. I am only her brother, and I cannot say I am certain of what our father would say to her if he were here.
Is that Pendleton man still available? Perhaps we should pen him, with an emphasis on her dowry?
I took a walk along my favorite path today and thought of you. I am certain you will love the view overlooking my estate. It is green as far as the eye can see.
I see it all with new eyes. I wonder what the trees will look like, the grass, the orchard, the sky, when you are here with me.
I find you wherever there is beauty.
Yours, etc.,
Peter
Dearest Peter,
Georgiana’s letter was well-received. Clara’s heart is too big to stay angry for too long, and Sir Ronald couldn’t care less after having won his prize. If your sister is sincere in her apology, I believe our wedding shall be a happy enough occasion after all.
Speaking of weddings. Two days until Clara is wed!
I am full of butterflies. Clara chides me as I write, for I am late to dress for a full day of duty to her. We shall confirm arrangements for the wedding from the shoes she will wear to the individual flowers that will be pinned in her hair. I confess I care little for the details, but I am steadfast in my duty. I hardly have time to miss you, but my heart aches all the same.
My things from Gray House arrived yesterday, not long after your messenger departed. With them was news of Lord Gray’s passing. I fear there is something wrong with me, for I feel little sorrow. In truth, I almost feel relief. I wish him no ill, but I hope he now sees how wrongly he treated us. And I hope my mother is giving him a stern lecture.
I love you, Peter. So very much. Five days more.
Your Amelia
Dearest Amelia,
Georgiana says I have become “snippy” without you here. I, of course, reprimanded her for the insult, only furthering her resolve. I suppose I have been more frustrated than usual with the distance between us.
Only four days more, and I shall have you in my arms again.
There is absolutely nothing amiss with how you feel. I know you won’t care to hear it, but I am sorry to hear of Lord Gray’s passing. Though I share your disfavor of him, I am grateful that he kept his promise to your mother, that he kept you safe all this time. If there is anything I might do to ease your worries, send word straightaway. My man is paid handsomely for his ceaseless rides between us.
In other news, Georgiana has finally left her room for some time out of doors. She seems to be improving, though she still will not take calls. The estate is well and waiting for you.
I love you, my Amelia. I hope Clara’s wedding is as beautiful and joyous as possible.
Yours, etc.,
Peter
Dearest Peter,
The wedding was everything I’d hoped. Clara was radiant. Mary tucked flowers in her hair just so, and she was covered in lace. I fear I shall not come close to rivaling her beauty. The ceremony was short, the company small, but it was perfectly lovely. Sir Ronald stole her away for the afternoon, and I helped Mary organize my things. I am so glad to have her join us. Thank you for keeping Mary on.
Three days, my darling. I can hardly wait.
All my love,
Amelia
Dearest Amelia,
Georgiana’s first call was a disaster. Society has wasted no time in divulging the details of her scandal to the world. She handled the questions with grace, but I fear she will not leave her room for another few days now.
I am glad the wedding was as happy as predicted. I am sure I think of little else but our own.
And I cannot wait to steal you away for the afternoon.
Yours, etc.,
Peter
Dearest Peter,
My things are in trunks upon my bedroom floor. I do not expect to sleep at all, for tomorrow is finally approaching, but I shall try.
You will not believe what came yesterday from Gray House. A box of my mother’s things. She kept a journal, and I am halfway through reading it, and her feelings are entirely heartbreaking. She loved my father, Peter. Ardently. I do not think their love was immediate, but in reading her words, I see she grew to love him. Perhaps his stories came true after all.
Thank you for letting Clara and Sir Ronald stay with us. I hope Georgiana truly does not mind. I know it will be difficult for her to see them together so soon, but Clara is so happy, I am sure all is already forgiven.
I shall see you when you wake.
Yours,
Amelia
“Are we nearly there?” I asked Sir Ronald, who sat opposite me in the carriage beside Clara.
My hands were shaking. I’d already asked Sir Ronald to check his watch above two dozen times, but Peter had said four hours, and I would hold him to it.
“I know this bend. You shall see the estate any moment,” he answered with a grin.
Clara laid her head on his shoulder, and I sighed.
Soon.
Staring out the window, I relished the sight of green trees upon green hills lush with green grass, just as Peter had described. I tried to picture Peter as we rolled by, the bend in the distance drawing closer. Did he ride these hills on horseback? Take walks and get lost in the open fields?
“Ah, yes. I remember visiting here as a child. Any moment now.” Sir Ronald leaned toward the window, looking out at the landscape.
My heart beat in my chest. Would Peter be waiting for me? Did he know I’d be arriving at any moment?
“There!” Clara pointed. A rectangular brown house towered in the distance. It was beautiful, serene, regal. “Look at those pillars. Darling, why do we not have pillars lining our entry?”
Sir Ronald muttered something about structural integrity, but I did not hear him as I was focused entirely on Peter.
He stood, arms behind his back, dressed as though he awaited a queen, with the grandest grin upon his face. His hair fluttered handsomely in the wind.
I nearly opened the door myself.
Sir Ronald dropped out, helping Clara from her seat, and Peter stepped forward.
I let him help me down, but wasted no time closing the space between us. Kissing his lips was as easy as breathing. His arms held me, lifting me in the air, and he spun me around as we laughed in each other’s embrace.
When my feet touched gravel again, I took in the vast height of the house, the perfectly trimmed landscape that seemed to stretch for miles on end, and the sweet breeze that rustled the yellowing leaves amongst the trees. “This is heaven,” I whispered.
Peter took my hand in his, lifting it to press a kiss in my palm, and said, “This, my love, is home.”
Acknowledgments
I am foremost gra
teful to my Father in Heaven, who blessed me with creativity and inspiration when I needed it most.
Amelia’s story would never have made it to completion without the vision and help of so many lovely people to whom I owe a heap of gratitude:
Thanks to my dear friend Marla Buttars, who opened the doors of the writing community to me and encouraged me to learn my craft. And to countless others who’ve supported me in this journey, including friends, beta readers, and the wonderful team at Shadow Mountain.
To my sister Chelsea Ashdown, who willingly and lovingly read my first draft with encouraging eyes and support. You pushed me forward, sis, and I love you.
My momma, my sisters Jenn and Erin, my dad, my amazing in-laws, and all my extended family for their excitement and love throughout my lifetime.
With all the love in my heart, I owe profuse gratitude to my beautiful critique partners (too much, guys? I just love you!) for all their thoughts, time, talent, and efforts shared on my behalf. Arlem “Time Traveler” Hawks, Joanna “The Greatest” Barker, Heidi “Shock Factor” Kimball, and Sally “Indie Fabulous” Britton—you girls are my best friends. Thanks for enduring my bad jokes, modernisms, and terrible comma placements.
And most of all—Thank you, Ted, for everything. For our children, our home, and all the love and support you’ve given me throughout this process. I would not have even tried without you in my ear telling me I could do it. I love you.
And of course, to my perfectly silly kiddos who let me write in exchange for TV time—Sophie, Owen, Henry, and our angel Simon.
I hope you read this one day and love it.
Discussion Questions
1.Amelia worries about making certain her and Clara’s futures are safe and secure. How does trying to maintain control help her? How does it harm her?
2.Peter listens to Amelia’s plea to check Winter’s airway after the other men disregard her as being overly emotional. This is a significant moment for Amelia because she feels heard and seen. Why would women in the Regency era feel unheard? Do women in our day experience these same feelings? When and why?
3.Amelia struggles with Peter’s little sister, Georgiana, throughout the book. Why do you think Georgiana acts the way she does? What about her and Peter’s family background might cause Georgiana to behave the way she does? Do we judge people without knowing their story?
4.Lady Demsworth requests a casual feel to the house party at Lakeshire Park. How does this casual environment encourage Amelia to be herself?
5.Peter’s watch is engraved with the message “Time is not guaranteed.” It is meaningful to him because of his father, but how else is this phrase meaningful in the story? How is it meaningful in your life, and what changes could you make to apply this ideal?
6.Amelia wrestles with telling Peter how she feels because she believes that love is a potentially painful risk. In what ways is she right? Why do you think she chose love in the end? What meaningful relationships in your life are worth the risk?
7.At the start of Lakeshire Park, Amelia is very protective of her sister and would choose Clara’s happiness above all else. By the end, Amelia steps back and chooses Peter despite the discomfort it will cause Clara. Why was this significant? Why is it sometimes important to create boundaries with those we love?
8.What do we learn about Amelia’s mother from this story? Do you have sympathy for her? What about Lord Gray? Why or why not?
9.Amelia carries the burden of Lord Gray’s impending death, and then his letter, almost completely alone. How might things have gone differently had she confided in Clara?
About the Author
Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education at Brigham Young University, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings wouldn’t leave her alone, so she picked up a pen, and the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis with her husband and three children.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Acknowledgments
Discussion Questions
About the Author
Landmarks
Cover