Chapter Twenty-Two

Silas opened the door to Violet's room, positioned just across the hallway from his and Clara's. She brushed past him in a huff. While he was certain he had been fully justified in ripping Fredrick off of his sister, a pang of guilt shot through him at her distress.

"I was only trying to protect you," he said gruffly, causing her to stop. "I don't know why you think I'm constantly trying to ruin your life, but I promise you, my only intention is to preserve your reputation and possibly save you some heartache."

For a moment she didn't speak and Silas assumed she would continue with the silent treatment he had suffered from both women during their trip from Bairnsdale's home. Turning to leave, he was halfway out the door when Violet spoke.

"I am not so fragile that I cannot suffer a bit of heartache, Silas," she said over her shoulder, her eyes cast down. "If I was ever allowed to meet someone."

"You met Lutz, didn't you?"

"Yes, last year before you went into hiding," she said, turning around to face him. "I've been kept up in Greystone with you for over a year. Don't you think it a bit unfair that I should have to be locked away from the world simply because you refused to participate in living?"

Silas frowned.

"I didn't stop living. I married—"

"Yes, you did," she said pointedly, her eyes becoming expressive. "You went to London at the behest of Lord Trembley after being confined to your wing of the house for nearly a year. Then you returned home several weeks later married to a complete stranger." She shook her head before he had a chance to open his mouth to defend Clara. "And I do not mean to disparage her. I quite like Clara and am glad of your marriage, but you cannot imagine how shocking it was, especially after your yearlong internment. Not to mention how unfair it was."

Guilt hit Silas square in the heart. He hadn't realized how deeply his actions had impacted his sister. She sat on the bed with a gentle plop and Silas drove his fingers through his hair. He had thought he was protecting her.

Coming forward, he shook his head.

"I didn't realize that my actions had caused you suffering."

Violet rolled her eyes.

"It wasn't suffering exactly. I did have my correspondence and I was permitted to stay with our cousins in Bedfordshire," she said. She shrugged gently as she inhaled. "I just wish you weren't so determined to see me unhappy."

"I don't want you to be unhappy."

"Don't you? You scared Mr. Lutz off. He told me last night that he was making arrangements to visit New Orleans of all places. He said he got the idea from you."

Silas's brow pinched.

"He wasn't focused on you, Violet."

"He also lacked a fortune."

"He lacked an entire means of providing for anyone more than himself, but his lack of standing wasn't so great a mark against him. The minute I mentioned traveling, his eyes lit up. He is focused on his career and there's no blaming him for that." Silas frowned. "But he wasn't ready to settle down."

"And Fredrick?"

Silas felt his anger grow remembering the moment he walked in on his sister being manhandled by the fool. He glowered.

"That bas—ah," he stopped himself from cursing in front of her, her brows hitched up. "Fredrick knew better than to do what he was doing."

Violet smiled weakly at him.

"You're much too judgmental, brother," she said.

He watched her, a mixture of sibling reverence and overall disgust.

"Good lord, Violet, don't tell me you actually like the idiot?"

"He's not an idiot," she said with a slight frown. "And I do."

"Then he can court you the proper way. With a chaperone." Violet frowned peevishly until he added, "Clara will surely be happy to act as one."

His sister smiled up at him, knowing full well that Clara would not be nearly as stringent with the rules of propriety as others might be. She tilted her head.

"You know, I think you made the right choice, marrying Clara almost as soon as you met her."

Silas nodded, glancing at the door. He wanted to return to his room and speak with his wife, but not before he procured them something to eat.

Turning back to Violet, he smirked.

"Perhaps I should speak with her now."

Violet pressed her lips together, trying to smother a smile. She nodded.

"I think you should."

Silas closed the door behind him and went downstairs to find them a tray of food. When he returned to his room, he entered and found a heap beneath the blankets. Noting the worn gown laid out over a chair next to the hip bath, Silas guessed Clara had bathed already.

Walking toward the bed, he wondered if she was awake. Perhaps he should wait to have this discussion until they returned to Greystone… but something in him wouldn't relent. He had waited too long as it was. They needed to have this conversation without any further delay.

Moving towards the bed, he pressed his hand down to the tallest point of the mountain of blankets. It felt like her shoulder, but he couldn't be sure.

"Clara?"

At first, she didn't make a sound. Discouraged, he pulled his arm back, deciding to let her rest. He turned away, dejected and debating on taking a bath himself when a mumbled voice came from the bed.

"Yes?"

Turning back, he waited for the blankets to be pushed away as his wife emerged from beneath the sheets. She was visibly tired, with weary eyes and slightly disheveled hair but he was sure he had never seen her more beautiful.

"Silas—"

"Clara, I love you," he said, quickly, worried that he would lose his nerve if he hesitated. "I thought I was incapable. I thought I was too broken to love again, but I think that I was never heartbroken to begin with, not truly."

Clara looked at him with wide eyes.

"You weren't?"

He shook his head.

"No. Because I never knew what love truly was until I met you," he said. "The calm I feel in your presence. The happiness I feel when you say my name." He sat on the bed and reached for her hands. Pulling them to his chest, he continued. "I'm forever in awe of your patience, your ability to love someone who told you he couldn't return it." Her head dropped, but his hand came to her chin. "Your kindness and your bravery have astounded me."

"Bravery?" Clara laughed, though she didn't seem amused. "What bravery have I shown?" She shook her head. "I've never done a brave thing in my entire life."

"You have," he said. "You loved me when there was no hope for it. Don't you see? You brought me back to life."

Emotion swept over her face as her eyes shone.

"And you love me?" she asked.

Silas felt it deep in his chest. Almost as if his heart was expanding.

"Yes, I do," he said slowly, his hand coming up to her cheek.

A tear rolled down Clara's cheek before she spoke.

"I love you too."

Silas bent down to kiss her and didn't stop for quite some time.