Page 66 of A Well-Trained Lady

Love is a rose heart, little love

Love is a rose heart buried deep

Though all barren from above

Still alive it e’er will keep

Even when the last notes of her song had faded, I could not remove my eyes from her. She had presented us a piece of her soul, and in some way, I felt it revealed a piece of my own. I had already learned love could be lost, and when it was, the pain was excruciating. Yet the warmth that engulfed me affirmed that real love did not die; it was simply waiting to grow anew. But was I willing to risk the loss and the pain all over again?

Applause echoed through the small space, and I pulled myself from my thoughts in time to see Ruth curtsy.

Mr. Treynor clapped most exuberantly. “An angel, indeed.”

“Thank you.” Ruth smiled at him, then glanced at me.

I tipped my head to the side, my heart swelling so much I nearly wept right there in front of everyone. “You are exceptional.”

There was complete contentment on her face when her eyes darted behind me. “Augustus! You’re home!”

It was as if a weight lifted from me so suddenly, when I spun in my seat to see him, I nearly tossed myself from the chair.

Augustus gave me a quick smile, before looking back at Ruth. “I am. And that was the perfect welcome.”

Ruth hurried toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist, a gesture he eagerly greeted. “What took you so long? We expected you sooner.”

He pulled out of her embrace enough to look her in the eyes. “We shall talk later. Yes?” Ruth nodded, and he looked out at the rest of us. “Are there to be more performances, or have I just made the last?”

Mrs. Brundage stood, walking toward Augustus. “The last, I’m afraid. Unless you prefer to offer us a song, dear?”

His mother’s teasing smirk made Augustus laugh, and he promptly shook his head. “No, I shall spare the lot of you.”

“Thank heavens.” Mrs. Brundage’s face beamed as she placed a welcoming kiss upon his cheek.

As if permission had then been granted, we all stood to return to the drawing room.

“Was your trip a success?” I asked when Augustus stepped next to me upon my exiting the room.

“I believe so. Though I can’t yet be certain.”

“And how did you find Bath?”

He didn’t look the least bit surprised that I should have discovered his whereabouts. “I never thought I’d return to Blacksley.”

“You were able to get inside despite it being shuttered up these past eight years?”

“There remains an estate manager, and he thankfully remembered my aunt fondly. When I explained the situation, he didn’t hesitate to let me in.”

I nodded, remembering the few times I had found the courage to go and sit outside that large, empty house over the years. I had never seen anyone about.

“Visiting Blacksley with the knowledge of what my aunt had endured all those years was more difficult than I thought it would be.” He released a breath. “But each time I felt sunken in darkness, I would go out of doors and walk the woods toward Fellerton.” He looked down at me. “The memories of us would flood through me and buoy me up.”

I took hold of his arm and leaned into him. “Though I am sorry for your hardship, I’m glad you were still able to find some joy there.”

We neared the back of the settee in the drawing room, and I glanced to the doorway in time to see Miss Whitmore and her mother walk through it. Miss Whitmore offered a timid smile, though her mother looked rightly cross by Augustus’s notice having gone to me first. A familiar pang of guilt settled inside me. But I reminded myself it was not my fault Augustus had sought me out. And besides, I scarcely could control where my rogue heart was leading me lately. Countless times since Augustus and I had nearly shared that kiss, I had found my thoughts on him, pondering what a life with him would be like. Wondering if our love could endure.

Augustus took a step closer, drawing my attention. “I missed you, Bella.”

My breath hitched at his unashamed admission, but I could not hide my delight. “I am loath to admit it, but I may have missed you also.” His lips curved upwards, and to make it more pronounced, I placed a hand on his arm. When I removed it again, my fingers lingered on his for an extra moment, and, as I expected, his smile grew. “Though you must not allow such an admission to give you airs.”