The doctor said she should not fear an amputation. "However, I wish you did not walk the two miles to get here," he said. "I could have come by the Abberton House, Miss Priest."

"Oh, we were just around the neighborhood," Price easily lied, squeezing Simone's shoulder.

"Thank you for your time, Doctor," added Lydia.

"Make sure to come back in three days. I want to check that puncture wound again."

"Thank you, Doctor. We will."

"We would be very grateful if you don't mention our short trip to anyone," Gale added, putting on his hat while Price guided Simone out the door.

Doctor Peters just shook his head before he turned away. Simone limped to the gate of the doctor's house and waited for Price and Gale. The two men stood in the middle of the road, a pebble in their hand. Lydia stood ten paces away and waited as each threw their pebble. They ran toward Lydia and bent. Gale soundlessly jumped in triumph when he found his pebble an inch closer to Lydia's feet. Price dutifully walked toward Simone, turned his back on her and bent on one knee. She leaned down and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

Then he carried her for one mile. When they reached the church, Gale took over to carry her all the way home. It was not a strange sight. In fact, now and then, at least twice a year, the Stratfords would always be found carrying one or two of their own. Most often, it was Roxie and Simone, both of which quite clumsy and always had little accidents that should be kept a secret. Also, on more than one occasion, they had to carry one of the older Stratfords. One time, they carried Damon after he fell down on a horse. They could have called the doctor, of course, but the horse was Harry's favorite and he didn't know Damon took it for a ride.

They would never bring any vehicle because the said trips were always a secret. Well, sometimes they would borrow a wheelbarrow if it was not in use. Just like that time Web broke an ankle after a bad evening of drinking.

"It's understandable if he doesn't remember you, you know," said Gale as he adjusted her weight on his back.

"Why?"

"Because it has been years, Sisi," said Price.

"But why can I remember?"

"Women remember the smallest details," Gale reasoned. "Men don't."

"We wrote letters to each other, Gale. We were supposed to be friends."

"Mayhap you were not his only friend-Ow!" he cried out when Lydia smacked his head. "Well, it's true. I'm sorry, Sisi, but he was an actor. He must have received quite a number of letters from admirers."

"No, their correspondence was different," Lydia indignantly said.

Simone, on the other hand, agreed with Gale. Maybe Daniel Cavendish just had to answer too many letters. Hers might have been buried among hundreds of others. "Then I hope he never read my letters," she said. "Because if he did, I don't think I can live with myself. I wrote him thinking we were friends."

"What could you have told him that's shameful?" Price asked. "Surely, he understands you were too young back then."

"That's the point, Price, my letters were childish!"

"The important thing, Sisi, is that you're no longer a child," said Price. "And he should see that."

"Oh, goodness, Price. You cannot still be thinking of making a match between the duke and I. Please, spare me of the humiliation."

Gale stopped walking and dropped Sisi to rest. A few villagers came across them and they chatted some more. Back on the road, Gale asked, "Do you think Harry likes Emmeline?"

"I think it's promising," Price said, looking thoughtful. His straight, light brown hair was tucked behind his ears and they looked glorious under the sun, as bright as the ideas that must be forming in his head. And like always, when something very good came to him, he grinned and looked at them with such immense satisfaction curling his lips. "And I think yesterday's picnic is not the last."

Simone groaned. "Oh, please. Stop it."

"We have to be ready with some plans," he told Gale. "Sisi, you'll need new dresses. Even gowns."

"No, thank you, I'm quite fine." She let out a frustrated laugh. "If you really want to find us matches, then find one for Lydia first. She's quite willing."

"Yes, I am," said Lydia.

"Lydia's going to get her turn," Gale promised. He dropped her and breathlessly said, "We're home."

She tried not to limp as they crossed the courtyard. Susan, the maid, met them with her eyes round with excitement.

"I think Juliet and I will win the wager," she announced.

"Which wager?" Simone asked.

"Truly? How so?" Price asked, suddenly excited.

"Yes, Sir, I'm sure we'll win." The maid conspiratorially leaned closer. "We'll be having guests."

"My, my," said Gale, putting an arm around the middle-aged maid. "And how much did we wager, Susan?"

Susan, grinning, said, "A hundred from you, and a hundred-and-twenty from you, Master Price."

"What is this about?" Simone interjected.

"The duke and his sister are coming, Miss Sisi," said Susan. "And they're staying for two months!"

"We're going to be rich, Susan!" Price said, kissing the lady on the cheek. "Tell Leroy and the others to prepare their monies. We're winning."

"What are you wagering on?" Lydia cried out in frustration.

"A wedding," said Gale, pulling Susan closer.

"Harry's?" Simone asked.

"No. Yours," said Price with a laugh. "Two months, Sisi. That's enough work for us."

Susan nodded her head vigorously. "Yes. That would be enough."

"You wagered on me and the duke?" Simone asked in disbelief. "Grandpapa will-"

"Oh, he's going to be rich, too," said Gale. "How much did he put in, Susan?"

"Five-hundred," the maid said.

Simone groaned. "Oh, you're all horrible!"

"And who are betting against you?" asked Lydia.

"Well, most of the male servants," said Susan. "Leroy's handling their monies."

Simone stormed away, limping. "Then where's Leroy? There's no chance you're all winning at my expense!"

***

Web was rarely home nowadays, and whenever he was, he was always in his study. When the door was closed, it meant it should remain closed. But in some very rare instances, Simone could wave her little sister privileges. She did just that the night before the Cavendish siblings were due to arrive.

If she had to live with Daniel Cavendish for two months, she needed answers. And at this point, she was beyond ashamed to remind the duke about the things that happened nine years ago, which he clearly considered a thing of the past. So, no, she would not dare get answers from Daniel Cavendish.

"Sisi?" Web asked, looking up from his desk. He looked tired, like he always did whenever he was facing work. "What is it?"

She closed the door behind her. "Answer some questions for me, Web, will you?"

Things were different now that she was older. Somehow, over the years, her brothers had considered her an adult. But she was still their little sister, and she had to be careful.

"What?" he asked, although it was clear in the way he carefully regarded her as she sat across from him that he already knew what she wanted to ask. She had asked it a few times since the ball, but he always brushed it off. However, now, Simone was tired of wondering alone.

"You never told me."

"What?"

"That he's a duke. You never told me before."

"It never crossed my mind to tell you, Sisi."

"You knew he and I were in correspondence."

"For a short time, yes. He told me you have been quite lonely."

She froze. "He told you that?" Was that why he answered her letters? He felt sorry?

Web frowned. "What is this about?"

"It's about the fact that he did not act like he was heir to a dukedom. And he never told me."

Web sighed. He leaned back against his chair. "Because he has his reasons," her brother said. "He was having the time of his life, Sisi. Who was I to ruin that? I know what it's like to carry a burden of responsibility. He escaped that for some time. And it was his secret to keep. I was his friend who had to keep it. I still am."

"You know I've been waiting for his letters. You could have told me where he was. Something."

Her brother's frown deepened. "You were quite serious about the letters?"

"Of course, I was! You could have saved me many years of curiosity!"

This time, his face darkened. "How deep was your correspondence with Daniel Cavendish, Sisi?

Without answering, she said, "Just tell me why he disappeared."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, forget it. I know now. He became a duke."

Her brother looked at her for a while, then shook his head. "It's far more complicated than that."

"What do you mean?"

"Just that it's none of our business. Now-Answer my question. How deep was your correspondence with my friend?"

"Friendship deep."

"How long?"

"I can't believe you don't know."

"Perhaps because no one told me. You, Lydia, Price, and Gale, keep many secrets."

"Just a few years. It stopped six years ago."

"But?"

"I kept sending him letters until two years ago." She stood and walked closer. "We kept asking you about him. You kept ignoring us. You could have just said, 'Oh, I forgot. He's a duke now. Maybe that's why he never wrote you back again. He's quite busy now.' That would have been helpful, Web, yet you chose to not tell us."

"Because he asked me to not tell anyone."

"When?"

"Before he left Coulway. When he tried to get away-" He stopped, almost revealing something big. "I can't tell you. I have his confidence as a friend." He looked at her sternly. "Are you interested in the man?"

She felt defiant then. And she wanted to taunt him. "Maybe. He's a duke, after all. Nearly everyone is betting on my future with him. Are you aware of that? The household is having a wager."

Web shook his head. "No."

"What do you mean no?"

"Just no, Sisi."

"No to the betting, or no to him?"

"No to him."

"Why? He's your friend. He's a good man. He's a duke."

"Just no."

"Then tell me why. I hate it when you don't explain things."

"Because he does not want you." She swallowed. Mayhap that hurt a little. He walked up to her and cupped her face. "I don't want to see you broken over a man, Sisi. Daniel Cavendish is bound to do that." And under his breath, he added, "And it's a good thing he knows it."

She stiffly nodded, then sighed. "Just so you know, I'm betting against our match."

He did not smile. He just nodded.

She turned and walked to the door.

"Why are you limping?"

"Was chased by a goose," she lied.

***

Five days after the picnic, Daniel and Emmeline were back in Abberton. "I think we'll enjoy this vacation," said Emmeline as the carriage drew closer to the Abberton House.

"I truly hope you do," he said, looking out the window, frowning as he saw four familiar figures walking down the road. Three were walking-one was on the other's back. And as they drew nearer, he realized he recognized them. He ordered for the carriage to stop.

Those who were on foot stopped and looked up. Simone's face looked arrested.

"Your Grace!" Lydia greeted with a wide smile.

He just nodded while Emmeline leaned over to look out the window. "Miss Priest! What happened?"

"We were just at the doctor," said Price. "Last visit."

"Please, climb inside," Emmeline offered.

"Thank you!" Gale said, dropping Simone on the ground. He climbed in first and escorted her inside. Daniel scooted over to give more room as the rest filed in. Gale almost threw his cousin next to Daniel before he extended a hand for Lydia who was last to climb.

"We would appreciate it if you don't tell anyone," said Price, grinning as he squeezed himself between Simone and the wall of the carriage, practically pushing her against Daniel. Simone slapped him when he pushed harder. "Move, Sisi, I can't fit."

"You can fit just fine," Simone gritted under her breath.

"Are you fine, Miss Priest?" asked Emmeline from where she sat between Gale and Lydia across the carriage.

"A little accident, that's all," Simone answered beside Daniel, eyes on Emmeline. He looked down, as if he could assess the extent of her injury through her skirts. He never thought it was that bad that it required many visits to the doctor.

"But you could have just taken a carriage," Emmeline was saying.

"Oh, we told them we were going for a walk," said Lydia. "We rarely go out with the curricle. It would have been suspicious if we bought one."

"Oh, I see."

"We're glad you're staying with us," Lydia said.

There were more questions asked as they traveled the rest of the way to Abberton House, planning on the things they would love to do in the next two months, but Daniel could not focus on the conversation. Simone Priest refused to acknowledge his presence. In fact, she grew quiet, sitting beside him, their sides pressed close together while Price looked like he was lounging on a spacious chaise.

He had the instinct to clear his throat, but then he feared it would draw the attention to him. Instead, in a voice intended only for her, he asked, "What did the doctor say?"

He felt her stiffen beside him. "Hm?" Suddenly, the sound reminded him of that day she hit her head on her desk.

"Your leg," he said, voice low and even. "What did the doctor say?"

She finally looked up and their eyes met. It took a moment for her to blink away. "No need for amputation." Then she added, "It will get better." Her smile was forced, and so was her answer.

He nodded and stayed silent until they reached their destination. Pushing open the door, he jumped down and extended a hand to help her out. She looked at him warily. For some reason, he found that he did not like the look of apprehension on her face. "Miss Priest," he said with a movement of his hand. She looked at his hand and reached out. But she made certain to hold on to his wrist instead, avoiding skin. "Thank you," she murmured, offering a soulless smile. He lost her touch the moment she reached ground.

Without another word, she walked away with a slight limp. As he watched, he took a deep breath. Then he looked up at the facade of the Abberton House. Gale and Price walked ahead, arm over the other's shoulders, talking in hushed whispers. Emmeline and Lydia followed, chatting with excitement. From somewhere, Roxie or Freda were shrieking about shortcakes being tall. From another side of the manor, there were sounds of chicken and a barking dog.

His eyes returned to Simone who was now crossing the courtyard.

Two months. Would he even survive it?