“Nicholas,” the both said.
“I was not sighing and nor was I thinking of him.” Once again her cheeks heated. Her sisters would accuse her of fibbing and perhaps she was. She did think of him on occasion, that much was true. But she was no longer some silly girl utterly in love with a man who would never love her back. Oh no, she was not that foolish.
Not one bit.
What woman in their right mind would love a man who had shown himself to be heartsick over another woman. And not just any woman—their prettiest and sweetest sister, Lavinia.
The third Chadwick sister had been married nearly six months now and had moved all the way to Scotland with her braw laird of a husband. Niall was a handsome man indeed but if Amelia had been her sister, there would have been no competition. Nicholas was far more of a catch.
Julia wagged a finger at her. “You need to write about him more. Pen some of those letters that work so well in your books. That will rid you of him.”
Emma nodded. “Oh yes. Those letters are fantastic.”
Amelia wouldn’t mention that she had already penned at least a half dozen more of those. In one of her more melancholy moments, her sisters had persuaded her to write letters to Nicholas. Not to ever be sent off course, but as a way of coming to terms with her feelings for him. They had ended up published in her most popular love story—a tale of a man who had never spotted what was in front of him until it was too late.
The sequel would include more letters and a hero who had been pining for the heroine for years, just as she had him. But would they get a second chance? Amelia grimaced. Second chances might happen in fiction but there would not even be a first chance for her. Nicholas had only ever had eyes for Lavinia—and who could blame him? Lavinia was sweet, kind, beautiful, and simply adorable. Everyone loved her and Amelia loved her no less, even after it was clear the man she loved had fallen for Lavinia.
“Do you not need a wash?” Amelia asked Julia pointedly. “If Mama comes home and sees you like that, she shall have a fit.”
“Pfft. She’s seen worse.”
Nevertheless, Julia headed up the stairs. Apparently, she was not as bold as she liked to think and it was not worth tempting Mama’s wrath. As much as she adored them all, she had little patience for their unladylike hobbies and demeanors.
“Did you hear me?” Emma asked, her eyes shining.
Amelia turned to her sister. “Um, yes. Your voice is quite…strong, is it not?”
“I think I’ve made quite a bit of progress. With more practice, I shall certainly be ready to sing for others before long. Mrs. H. said she had never heard the likes of it before, and Catherine declared I would have everyone spellbound.”
“Spellbound? Indeed. Well, I’m glad you are enjoying it.”
Inwardly, she winced at her weak words. She should just tell her how terrible she really was before she made a fool of herself. But, as she had told her sisters, Emma would find another hobby soon enough and hopefully before she decided to put herself on display. The world certainly did not need more of Emma Chadwick’s voice.
“Are you busy?” Emma asked. “I could do with someone to turn the music for me.”
The thought of standing over her sister’s shoulder while listening to the din made her shudder. Amelia shook her head. “I’m expecting a letter from my publisher at any moment, and I am sure I shall have work to do once it arrives.”
“Will you be writing more about Amelia and Nicholas?”
Amelia gave her a stern look. “There never was and never will be an Amelia and Nicholas.”
Emma waved a hand. “Anna and Nathaniel then. Will their story continue?”
Pursing her lips, Amelia shrugged. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. It is probably time their story ended.”
“With a happily ever after, I hope,” Emma said with glee.
Amelia didn’t answer. Happily ever afters existed for people like Lavinia, to be certain, but for people like her and her other sisters, she was not so sure.
The Cynfell Brothers Page 79