Lydia's mind tried to process the shocking revelation, but she couldn't think over the fast beat of her heart throbbing in her ears or the way that same heart was breaking into a million pieces, slowly and very painfully.

Betrayal! That was the only name to give the feeling she experienced at this precise moment.

Lydia's worst fears had become a reality. Victoria had been with Alan Cartwright this whole time. Not only that, but Lydia had caught them in a passionate embrace.

The brief scene played back in Lydia's mind. Both Victoria and Alan seemed so wrapped up in the moment, and when they'd pulled apart, they both had desire written on their expressions. It was clear that the time spent caring for the injured man had brought them closer together. And yet, Victoria knew that Alan Cartwright was the man Lydia was going to marry.

She finally allowed herself to look at her sister. Victoria's face was still very pale, and unshed tears filled her eyes.

Lydia scowled. "How could you?"

"Lydia, let me explain..."

As Victoria tried to take hold of Lydia's hands, she yanked them away. Her own tears were close to spilling. She wasn't going to give her sister – or the man who'd wanted a mail-order bride – satisfaction in seeing Lydia cry.

"I'm done listening to you, dear sister," Lydia snapped before spinning around and marching out of the room. She couldn't get to the front door fast enough.

"Lydia, please." Victoria ran after her. She grasped Lydia's arm as she reached the front door. "Let me explain."

"There's nothing you can say that will fix this," Lydia whispered tightly, not wanting her voice to break right now.

"I hadn't planned on any of this." Victoria sobbed. "I didn't mean to... I tried to stop it from happening, but—"

"Apparently, you didn't try hard enough." Lydia's voice was stronger now as anger filled her once again.

"All I'd wanted to do was make sure he would be a good husband for my little sister."

Lydia shook her head. "And you certainly discovered your answer quick enough, didn't you? Knowing I could never marry a man my sister was in love with, you went ahead and—"

"No, Lydia." Tears gushed down Victoria's cheeks. "I'm not in love with him."

"Ha!" Opened the front door. "You have a very odd way of showing that."

"Please, Lydia. Let me tell you what really happened."

"There was a time in my life when I would have let you tell me everything, just as I told you everything. But now I can't trust you at all. I loathe you with every fiber of my being, and I can't tolerate looking at you any longer."

She shoved Victoria back and darted out of the house, running straight for her horse. As soon as she mounted, she noticed Victoria crumbled on her knees, crying. Just as Lydia guided her horse around, she saw Agent Drake darting out of the house, hurrying toward her. She didn't want to talk to anyone. All she wanted to do was hide away and cry.

Tears blurred her eyes as she rode fast toward home. But even at home, she wouldn't have the privacy she deserved from having her dearest sister trample Lydia's heart. Victoria would come home and try to explain what had happened. Lydia couldn't allow that. There was only one thing to do.

She must run far away and never return.

* * * *

Alan didn't have the right words to try and comfort Victoria. Although he had tried to help the situation by making her look like an angel for nursing him back to health, it had gone terribly wrong. He was certain she hated him now.

Once everyone had left his bedroom, Alan changed into his clothes. Nick Drake mentioned he'd ride back to Stumptown with Alan, but the man had taken off after the very distressed Lydia, and he hadn't returned. That was all right. Alan knew his way home.

He picked up his saddlebag and grabbed his hate before leaving the room. Mrs. Kline was in the kitchen, standing by the stove as she stirred a wooden spoon around in a pot. Her attention lifted to him.

"You're leaving us so soon?" Mrs. Kline asked with a touch of humor in her voice.

He smiled. "Indeed, I am. I need to get back to Stumptown and see if any damage was done to my house during this last storm."

"I pray you'll have a safe journey and that your home will be fine."

"Thank you, Mrs. Kline. And thanks for helping me recuperate."

Her smile relaxed. "You know, Mr. Cartwright, Victoria is a very caring woman. I know she was the one who caused your injury, but guilt had weighed heavily upon her shoulders since then. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive her."

He chuckled. "You know, I think I already have."

"I'm glad."

He glanced down the hallway. "Do you know if she has left already?"

"Yes, she has. She needed to hurry home to see if Lydia went there. Her heart is breaking for hurting her sister. Lydia is the sister closest to Victoria."

Alan's chest tightened. "I wish there was something I could do to help out."

"I think you have helped enough." Mrs. Kline arched an eyebrow. "I overheard what Lydia witnessed between you and Victoria."

Inwardly, he groaned. He shouldn't have kissed Victoria, but dagnabit, he just couldn't help himself. The temptation was too great. "Yes, I know, and I feel just awful about it."

Mrs. Kline stopped stirring and turned toward him. "Are you still going to marry Lydia?"

His head throbbed again, but it had nothing to do with his injury. He'd been thinking about this dilemma all day, and he wasn't sure what the right course of action was. "I honestly don't know."

"Can I give you some advice?"

He shrugged. "I suppose."

"Victoria has never been kissed. She doesn't give her heart lightly, either. But I believe she found herself falling in love with you. Lydia has had a few beaus, and she is outgoing enough to find another man. But Victoria won't. So, if you have any feelings for Victoria at all, please choose her for your bride."

Groaning, Alan rubbed his forehead. "I don't want to do anything that will separate the sisters."

"Lydia will eventually forgive Victoria."

"Can you be certain of that?"

Mrs. Kline nodded. "Yes, because they are all they have of family. They won't be upset at each other for long."

"Thank you kindly for your advice, Mrs. Kline." He placed the hat on his head. "And I appreciate your hospitality."

She nodded and smiled. "I hope we see each other again."

"I'm sure we will."

As Alan left the house, his chest tightened with emotion. So much had happened in just a few short days. So many emotions had crept over him while he recovered from his head injury. There was no way he could forget about Victoria. However, did he want to marry her instead of Lydia?

It was difficult to choose a woman because of her name, and yet, when several women had answered his ad for a mail-order bride, Lydia's name was the one that he liked. If only Victoria had been Lydia, his life wouldn't be so complicated right now.

During his ride home, his mind spun with memories of these past few days. Before Victoria had whacked a chunk of wood over his head, he had been excited about his future with his mail-order bride. He was eager to start a life with her and have children. But since the kiss he shared with Victoria, he knew that marrying Lydia would only complicate things. How could he marry a woman knowing that he'd think of her sister the whole time?

Yet, how could he marry Victoria knowing that Lydia would never forgive her?