The Seymour Siblings (Fiona Miers' Regency boxsets Book 2)

by Fiona Miers

  Carson snorted with amusement and nodded. “Indeed.”

  “As long as you do not think of marrying that horrendous woman, or I would be forced to leave, despite how much I adore you,” Sophie pointed out.

  “I would never do such a thing to you, Sophie. I assure you of that,” Carson expressed with confident reassurance. “I will gladly choose you over her any day.”

  “That fills me with hope, Mr. Wallace,” Sophie chuckled. “I hear that Lord William is returning home today.”

  “Truly?” Carson asked and Sophie nodded. “Where did you hear this?”

  “From Charles. He knows everything.”

  “Clearly,” Carson chuckled. “I shall certainly stroll through to Woodlock Manor to welcome him home. It has been a while since I have seen him.”

  “Perhaps you can re-open your secret entrance through the vines,” Sophia hinted.

  “What do you mean re-open?” Carson asked with a furrowed brow.

  “I overheard Miss Adrienne order Edward close the hole in the wall by tying the vines to the branches of the surrounding trees,” Sophie answered. “You didn’t know, sir?”

  “No, I didn’t, but thank you for telling me,” Carson muttered and stood from his chair. “Do not fret, Sophie, I will not allow you or anyone else get into trouble. Adrienne is the only one who deserves a scolding.”

  Carson stepped away from the table and left the parlour. He marched through the hallway and found Adrienne in the drawing room, piles of books stacked on the floor. All the books that were normally housed in the library had to be relocated to various rooms inside the manor house, and since their father’s collection was rather extensive, there were numerous rooms that were now filled with books.

  “Brother, I was about to find you—”

  “Why did you order Edward to cover the hole in the wall?” Carson asked, interrupting his sister.

  Adrienne stared at him with a furrowed brow and cocked her head. “I beg your pardon?”

  “Pardon me, sister. I was not aware that I spoke unclearly,” Carson retorted, and Adrienne crossed her arms. “Why did you order Edward to cover the hole in the wall?”

  “It has been an eyesore for a long while, and I merely thought that since we are in the process of renovating the library, we could close the hole in the wall as well. The estate must be in pristine condition at all times,” she answered haughtily.

  “Nonsense. You expect me to believe that it is merely a coincidence that you chose to have the hole in the wall closed on the very same day that you invited Miss Violet to join us for dinner?” Carson asked.

  “What are you implying?” Adrienne inquired, her eyes narrowing.

  “If you require me to say it out loud, then you are not as intelligent as you think you are, sister,” Carson stated.

  Adrienne exhaled slowly. “I merely wished to eliminate any distractions that may occupy you.”

  “Lizzie is not a distraction,” Carson defended.

  “Of course, she is! She has always been a distraction to you, and she always will. You have spent your entire life running after her with doe eyes, doing everything for her. Protecting her when she does not need it! The woman is scandalous and does not deserve to be in your company. It will ruin your own reputation.”

  “You think I care about what others think of me?”

  “You should. Grandfather and Father spent their entire lives ensuring that the Wallace name was ranked as highly as possible, ensuring that we are well-respected, well taken care of,” Adrienne answered. “By defiling our family, you are disrespecting Father and Grandfather, and I will not allow that.”

  Carson clenched his jaw together tightly, anger filling his gut. “Adrienne, hold your tongue! I am not disrespectful toward Father, or anyone else in our family. I am grateful for everything they have done, but I will not stand by and allow you to run roughshod over my life. I am a grown man, and I am free to make my own decisions,” Carson pronounced angrily and firmly. “Father left the estate to me, despite not being the firstborn child, and I can only imagine how unjust that may feel to you.”

  “This has nothing to do with the inheritance, Carson. It has to do with respecting the family name,” Adrienne sighed. “I do not care that you inherited the estate, as long as you remember that this is my home as well.”

  “I will never take your home from you, sister,” Carson muttered. “But you do not have the authority to order Edward to do things I am not aware of. That hole in the wall is important to me. Lizzie is a part of that.”

  His sister’s eyebrows lowered, and her glare intensified. “She will always make an appearance in any conversation.”

  “She will always be a part of my life, Adrienne, whether you like it or not,” Carson stated. “And while we are on the subject of women, I also wish to inform you that I will not spend any more time with Miss Violet.”

  “Carson—”

  “Were my words in any way unclear?”

  “I heard them perfectly well, I merely do not understand why you are throwing a potentially good thing away for a woman who lifts her skirt for every other man.”

  Carson’s fists clenched with anger. “You will never speak of Lizzie in such a manner again!”

  Adrienne’s mouth fell open. “Why do you continue to defend that woman?”

  “Because the tales of Lizzie are untrue. Lizzie is nothing like the rumours describe her to be,” Carson growled.

  “And how do you know this? You say these words with such confidence.”

  “Adrienne, I have known Lizzie for a very long time, and I know her better than anyone.”

  “Of course, you do,” Miss Adrienne scoffed. “Or perhaps it is because you are in love with her.”

  Carson froze for a moment and glared at his sister. “Perhaps I am, but that does not change the fact that Miss Violet is a spoiled young woman who doesn’t care for anyone except herself. She is disrespectful, unkind, and I cannot marry someone with such a cruel and vindictive heart. I cannot live my life with a person who cares only for material things. You, of all people, should be aware of my morals and ethics and she defiles every single one of them!”

  Carson’s angry voice echoed through the drawing room. His ragged breathing was the only sound that was heard. Adrienne stood motionless and wordlessly in front of Carson, her eyes wide and her skin pale.

  She had obviously not expected him to raise his voice in such a manner, and Carson had not expected it either. Perhaps it was the only manner in which Adrienne would fully understand why he required to take control of his life, as she was much too stubborn to listen otherwise.

  “I will not marry Miss Violet, and that is final. Is that understood?” Carson hissed.

  His sister nodded quietly, remaining wordless. She still shook like a leaf, but Carson didn’t care. He needed her to stop interfering with his life and questioning his choices.

  “Good,” Carson muttered as he turned around and marched out of the drawing room, accidentally tipping over a large stack of books on his way out. The books clattered to the floor with a loud thud, but Carson had no intention of turning back.

  He would not permit anyone to tell him how to live his life, not even his dear sister. Hopefully, he had made it abundantly clear that she should step down from her high horse and allow him the freedom to make his own decisions.

  A feeling of liberation crashed over him as he stepped outside into the sun and marched directly to the wall covered in vines and ivy. He spotted Edward working in the garden and approached him.

  “Good morning, Mr. Wallace,” Edward greeted him, adjusting his cap on his head. “Is there something I can do for you?”

  “Indeed, Edward,” Carson answered as he motioned to the wall. “Please assist me in clearing those vines from the wall.”

  “All of them, Mr. Wallace?” Edward asked, his tone perplexed.

  “Indeed, Edward. Every last one of them. I would like the hole in the wall to be free from any foliage, left
completely and entirely open,” Carson stated.

  Edward shifted in discomfort and glanced briefly at the manor house.

  “Do not fret over Miss Adrienne,” Carson added. “Now, will you assist me?”

  “Of course, Mr. Wallace. Let me fetch my shears.”

  Carson nodded, and approached the wall covered in vines and ivy, a smile forming on his lips. His gaze rose to Woodlock Manor, towards Lizzie’s bedchamber window, and he wondered whether she was watching—or rather, he hoped.

  9

  A thunderously dark cloud hung over Lizzie’s head as she stepped out into the sunlight of a beautifully clear Fall morning. The sounds of the carpenters hammering from Ferngrove Manor darkened her already gloomy mood. The events of last evening were still fresh in her mind and her heart, but instead of being filled to the brim with sadness, she was now filled with hatred and pettiness.

  Still, she stood beside James and Kitty as they patiently awaited the arrival of Lord William and Lady Emma, who had returned from their travels earlier than anticipated. Her brother and his new wife didn’t wish to miss the birth of Kitty’s child.

  It was barely a few moments that passed until Lizzie began to shift her weight, and a scowl formed on her lips. The hammering from the estate next door as well as a strange sound that resembled a tree being chopped down with an axe, pulsated in her head.

  “What is the matter, sister?” the duke asked.

  “That infernal racket is cutting up my peace. What are they doing at Ferngrove?” Lizzie complained.

  “Perhaps they are preparing bedchambers for Miss Violet,” the duke answered nonchalantly.

  Lizzie glared at him angrily, her left eye twitching slightly. “That is not amusing, James.”

  “Please do lighten up, sister. It was only a joke.” Her brother chuckled.

  “It was not a very good one,” Lizzie muttered.

  “What is going on with the two of you?” the duchess asked with a furrowed brow.

  James was about to answer, but Will’s coach appeared at the gates of the estate, and a relieved smile formed on his lips. “Oh, how delightful. They are here.”

  James stepped away from his wife, and she raised an apprehensive brow at Lizzie. “I do hope you and your brother can be civil with one another. He informed me last evening that he had been wrong concerning your behaviour and that you are welcome to stay with us as long as you need to. But I will not tolerate any friction between the two of you. I wish for our home to be calm—”

  “For the child. Yes, I understand,” Lizzie interjected and turned away. “You do not need to worry. Whenever I feel the need to argue with anyone, I will lock myself in my chambers until the feeling passes.”

  “I didn’t mean it in any way other than to encourage you, Lizzie,” Kitty stated.

  “I know you didn’t, and I am utterly grateful that you and my brother are allowing me to stay here as long as I need to,” Lizzie said, attempting her best to not sound ungrateful.

  The coach came to a standstill and the next moments happened in a blur. William and Emma climbed out of the coach, and James and Kitty embraced the newlywed couple.

  All Lizzie was able to do was stand there wordlessly. The world slowed down around her as Emma gushed over the duchess’ swollen belly, and James and Will spoke of adventure and travels. Despite having felt left out when she was a child, those feelings paled in comparison to now.

  “Sister!” Will exclaimed, approaching her with open arms.

  She fell into his embrace, filled with gratitude for his return.

  “Are you well, Lizzie?” Will inquired.

  “Indeed, I am. It simply feels surreal to have you back home,” Lizzie smiled at him. “The estate was so peaceful without you.”

  Will’s eyes sparkled with amusement and he embraced her once more. “It is not a sin for you to simply admit that you missed me.”

  “That is rather overreaching,” Lizzie chuckled. “And I believe congratulations are in order regarding your nuptials.”

  “Thank you, sister,” Will smiled happily as Emma joined his side.

  “Congratulations, Emma,” Lizzie smiled at the new bride. “Or may I be so bold as to address you as my sister?”

  “You may address me as you wish, Lizzie.” Emma smiled happily and embraced Lizzie.

  “I wish you both all the happiness in the world,” Lizzie said sincerely, tears forming in her eyes. Instead of allowing them to consume her, she fought against them and stepped away.

  “Frances and the kitchen staff have prepared a delightful breakfast for us on the terrace. Shall we go?” Kitty said.

  “Indeed,” Will nodded. “I am ravenous.”

  “But in all fairness, you are always ravenous,” James chuckled.

  “I cannot argue with that,” Will agreed with an amused laugh as they made their way to the terrace.

  As they seated themselves at the table overlooking the gardens, Will glanced at Ferngrove Manor. “Perhaps we can send for Carson to join us? I would love to see him again after all this while.”

  The table fell silent, and the duke and duchess exchanged awkward glances.

  Lizzie, on the other hand, pretended that she had not heard what her brother had uttered, and stirred her already poured tea silently.

  “Did I say something wrong?” Will asked.

  After a short silence, Lizzie sighed and glanced at Will. “Carson will be much too busy entertaining Miss Violet to visit Woodlock any longer.”

  Her calm response surprised even herself, and Lizzie sipped her tea.

  “When did this happen?” Will inquired and glanced at the duke with a furrowed brow. “I was under the impression that Carson was—”

  “Carson only met with Miss Violet yesterday. I think Lizzie is being a tad presumptuous,” the duke answered.

  “Not presumptuous, only realistic,” Lizzie muttered.

  “He only met with her once?” Lady William inquired and the duke nodded. “That does not sound too serious.”

  “It does not matter, as Carson made it abundantly clear that he is happy now,” Lizzie said. She was not quite certain whether her words were to convince everyone at the table, or herself. Perhaps the more she spoke the words out loud, the more she would believe them.

  “It appears to me that you are jealous, sister,” Will stated and the duke’s eyes widened slightly.

  “William…”

  “What?” Will asked.

  “Shall we discuss something else?” the duchess urged.

  “Why?” Will inquired and glanced at Lizzie. “You have been in love with Carson for years and now that he has finally decided to move on with his life, you cannot stand that he didn’t choose you.”

  “That is not the case,” Lizzie answered defensively. “Carson can do whatever he pleases, with whomever he pleases. His actions neither concern nor affect me in any manner.”

  “You have never been a good liar, Lizzie.” Will chuckled and shook his head.

  Hot tears stung her eyes and she stood from the table. “Please excuse me. My apologies for spoiling your lovely breakfast, but I did try,” Lizzie whispered and glanced apologetically at the duke and duchess before turning away and retreating to her bedchamber.

  Lizzie inwardly scolded herself for not being able to compose herself, but she should have expected no less from Will. He was much more intrusive with his words than James, and it didn’t surprise her that he wished to point out the obvious, even if it would result in upsetting her.

  She rushed up the staircase, her breathing ragged. As soon as she reached the top, she hurried into her bedchamber, slamming the door behind her. Her chest ached as she paced around the space, attempting to free her heart from the pain that had started to consume it. She ran her fingers through her hair and a sob escaped her throat.

  A knock on her door caused her to whirl around and she clasped her hands together, pursing her lips.

  “Lizzie?”

  She recognised Will’s
voice through the door and drew in a deep breath. She was not certain why he still wished to torture her. “Please go away, William.”

  “I only wish to speak with you, if you would allow me,” Will said, his voice soft and gentle.

  Lizzie bit her lower lip and wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Very well.”

  The door opened slowly, and Will stepped into the bedchamber. “I must apologize for my insensitivity, sister. I was not aware that Carson courting Miss Violet was such an unsettling and difficult thing for you.”

  “It is not, Will,” Lizzie answered and shook her head. “I am not upset, or unsettled. I am completely fine.”

  “You do not seem fine, sister. You seem broken.”

  “It does not matter how I feel.”

  “Of course, it does. You are losing Carson, who was a very large part of your life for such a long time. It is only natural to feel a sense of loss, and be envious towards Miss Violet,” Will said as he slowly approached her. “It is a natural emotion to feel.”

  Lizzie scoffed. “I am most certainly not envious of Violet Saunders. She is a vile young woman. But I am utterly certain that Carson is making the worst mistake of his life if he marries her.”

  “And you say this not simply because you are in love with him?” Will inquired.

  “No, but that does not matter either, William. My feelings for him do not matter if he does not reciprocate them. He has had so many chances to do so, but he has not. Clearly, he does not have feelings for me, and unfortunately, I do not know what to do with mine,” Lizzie admitted.

  “I am truly sorry, sister. I had always imagined you and Carson together, or that you would find one another eventually.”

  Will’s words almost broke her, and she had to focus hard to swallow the sob that rose.

  “Clearly it is not in the cards for us. The only thing that I am certain of is that Violet Saunders is not right for him, but it is not my place to say a word. I only wish for him to be happy,” Lizzie muttered, a tear running down her cheek.

  “Your intent is pure, my dear sister, but sometimes you need to follow your own heart. Your own happiness is important as well.”