“If he does not come soon, we shall get rained upon.” Amelia glanced fearfully at the darkening skies.

“He shall come,” insisted Catherine, swinging her legs from her perch upon the gate.

Amelia plucked a lone flower and rested against a post. She picked away the petals much as she did as a child. “Blast,” she muttered.

“Loves me not?” Catherine asked.

Amelia lifted her gaze to her sisters. “I was not even doing that.”

“Liar.”

“I was not.”

“You can deny it all you want but you are as in love with Nicholas as you ever were. Those letters prove it.”

Those letters…those blasted letters. Why had she let her sisters persuade her to do such a thing? Why had she written them as though they were real? And why had she even left them out for anyone to read or take…or bloody post?

“Those letters prove nothing. I write fiction, remember?”

“You’re a good writer, Amelia, but you’re even better when you’re not making things up. Every word you have ever penned about Nicholas has been real.”

Amelia lifted her chin and eyed her youngest sister. She ought to give her a scolding for being so brash. “Once, I loved him, that is true. But there is only so long one can pine for a man who will never love her. I am well and truly over Nicholas, I swear.”

Catherine snorted. “We shall see.”

“We shall,” she said, determinedly. “If he ever arrives.”

“He will. He still rides this road to the farm every day, I am told. Prudence Collins saw him only a week ago, riding as though the devil were chasing him.”

Amelia sighed. That sounded like Nicholas. He always rode as though it were his last ride and he must enjoy every second of it. She rather envied him that freedom. There was no chance of riding like that when one must ride sidesaddle.

“You never know. Maybe he’ll read your letters and fall desperately in love with A. Hardwick.”

“Or he shall figure out exactly who A. Hardwick is and I shall be exposed.” Along with the rest of her sisters. But Amelia would not mention that. It had not seemed to occur to them that her job put them all in danger of being cast entirely out of society. It was bad enough that most thought them too radical and outrageous as it was.

She snorted to herself. What a world they lived in when a thinking woman was considered outrageous. Catherine could admittedly be a little brazen with her tongue but all her sisters were wonderful women who deserved a happy ending. If she could never have hers, they at least merited a chance.

Who would marry the sister of such a shocking novelist though?

No one, she was certain of that much.

“Nicholas might keep it quiet, you know. If he has read the letters,” her sister suggested.

“It’s not a risk I am willing to take, and let us hope he has not. After all, he has only been in possession of them for but a morning. They might not have even been handed to him yet.”

“In which case, we shall retrieve them, and all will be well.”

Amelia could not share in her sister’s positive outlook. How they were to even get the letters back, she did not know, but Catherine and her sisters had been determined that she should at least try to recover them.

She plucked another flower and picked away the petals. She discarded it when she realized where it would land. Loves me not. Well, she didn’t need a flower to remind her of that. And it didn’t matter anyway. She was over Nicholas and had been for a long time.

She glanced up and down the empty road then up at the steely sky. “He is not coming.”

“Patience, Amelia.”

Amelia blinked at Catherine’s tone. Usually it was her saying such things to her sister, not the other way around. As the oldest, it had been her duty to keep all the girls in line. Catherine, in particular, had always needed a little extra nudging in the right direction.

“Perhaps we should call at Uxbridge instead.”

Catherine shook her head. “We all agreed. It would look suspicious and rude.”

“Since when do you care about being rude?”

“When my sister’s heart is on the line of course.” Catherine grinned.

“My heart is not on the line,” she said through gritted teeth.

“Very well, your pride then.”

Amelia drew in a breath, feeling her stays tighten around her ribs. “Yes, my pride is certainly on the line.”

Oh, how she hated herself for writing such drivel. What had she been thinking?

Catherine pushed a red curl out of her eye as a breeze picked up. “If we had turned up unannounced without mother at our side, it would have been odd indeed. We have not seen him in over six months.”

Amelia was well aware of that. Six months and twelve days, to be precise.

“If he has read the letters, our appearance at the house might make him suspicious,” Catherine continued. 

“And our appearance here will not?”

Catherine gave her a look. “What choice do we have, Amelia? By the sounds of it you would rather go home and let him read those letters and figure out who you are and your feelings for him.”

“Feelings I no longer have.” Amelia wrapped her arms about herself as the chill began to bite through her pelisse. She put a hand over Catherine’s. “I do appreciate you helping me, even if it is a fool’s errand.”

She couldn’t think what chance they had of really getting the letters back, but they had to try. If she did not, she would regret it.

“Oh.” Catherine straightened. “I think that’s him.”

Amelia’s heart nearly leaped out of her throat. She narrowed her gaze at the rider and her mouth dried. “Nicholas.” She breathed the word and hoped her sister had not heard it.

Moving far too quickly, Nicholas rode his horse as though he were born to do so. It was not the first time she’d witnessed his skill with a horse but it still had her feeling the urge to pull out her handkerchief and dab at her forehead.

“He always was reckless.” Catherine remained perched on the fence. “Quick, pretend we are talking.”

Reluctantly, she tore her gaze from him. “I have no idea what to talk about,” she whispered. “What if he does not stop?”

“He will. He’s not that rude.” Catherine smiled swiftly. “And I must say it was the prettiest bonnet I had ever seen. Do you not think, Amelia?”

Amelia frowned. “What bonnet?” Catherine jerked her head to behind Amelia. “Oh. Yes, it was a beautiful—”

“Nicholas!”

Amelia heard the hoofbeats slow to a stop and she forced herself to turn to face him, a smile plastered in place. The dryness in her throat made it hard to swallow. Six months and he had only grown more handsome. He was dressed casually, with his shirt slightly open and no cravat. It was likely he did not expect to run into anyone. His dark hair was mussed by the breeze. Hessians clung to his strong legs. Her own legs felt as weak as twigs in a storm. She had to lean back against the fence for support.

“Amelia. Kitty. What are you doing all the way out there?”

Catherine hopped off the fence and gave a dip, a big grin on her face. “You know I hate Kitty, my lord.”

A smile worked across his lips. “And I’d far rather you call me Nicholas, as you well know.”

Catherine’s eyes glinted with mischief. “We were just taking a stroll. It has been so long since we have walked this way and we fancied a change of scenery, did we not, Amelia?”

Amelia darted a look at her sister and Catherine gave her a nudge with an elbow. “Um, yes, indeed.”

“We were just walking,” Catherine continued, “but I felt a little faint.” She glanced at the skies. “From the…heat.”

He lifted a brow. “From the heat?”

Amelia grimaced. He had to see straight through their lies, surely?

“Well, we cannot have that.” he said jovially. “Will you not accompany me to Uxbridge? We can find you refreshments and have you feeling back to normal.”

Catherine beamed. Amelia tried not to twist her fingers together.

Nicholas dismounted. “You had better ride, Kitty. I have no side saddle but it is not far so I think you can manage.”

“You are too kind.”

Nicholas helped her onto the horse and she clung awkwardly to it while she positioned herself sideways. Nicholas took the reins to lead the horse. He gave Amelia a look. “Are you well, Amelia?”

She met his gaze. Just. The heat in her face and neck was growing worse. If anyone looked sick, it was probably her. “Yes, very well.”

 “And your sisters?” he pressed as he guided a horse along the empty road.

“All well too. Emma has taken up singing.”

“Indeed.”

“It is terrible,” exclaimed Catherine.

“Catherine!” Amelia scolded.

 “And Lavinia is having a wonderful time all the way in Scotland,” Catherine added.

Amelia could not help but watch Nicholas closely.

Why she wished to torture herself so, she did not know, but it was somewhat satisfying when he merely lifted one brow. She saw no heartbreak there but she should not fool herself. Nicholas had been desperately in love with her sister and even if he was over Lavinia, he would hardly turn his attention to her sister now, would he?

Not that she wanted him to, of course. No, she had put aside her feelings for him long ago, as soon as it had become apparent to everyone that Lavinia was the lucky woman to have secured his attentions.

“Enjoying all those bagpipes and mountains no doubt.”

“Everyone was disappointed when Niall returned to Scotland after the wedding,” Catherine declared too loudly. “We were hoping he would bring some of his cousins down to see us, were we not, Amelia?”

“Everyone loves a Scotsman it seems,” he said tightly.

“They are such fun,” Catherine agreed, oblivious to his tone.

Despite herself, she could not help but feel for Nicholas. Once he had started showing interest in Lavinia, everyone, including Nicholas, assumed they would marry. It could not have been easy to watch her wed someone else. As for her, well, she was used to watching Nicholas pay attention to others. It might have been no fun witnessing him woo her sister but she had no expectations from him. They had been friends and always would be.

But never anything more.

After all, she was too bookish, too serious, too...well...red. All freckles and curly red hair. She never really expected attention from Nicholas.

Oh but of course she didn’t want it now. Not now she was over him. Thank goodness for that.

“I believe they shall come to visit next year but it is quite a journey,” Amelia put in. “I cannot imagine he will really bring his cousins.”

“What a waste.” Catherine sighed.

“I should imagine all the Scotsmen would enjoying seeing all you flame-haired Chadwick girls. It would remind them of home.” Nicholas gave a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. She had seen that smile at the wedding and when Niall had been courting Lavinia. It was a smile of heartbreak.

Catherine shook her head. “They’re probably sick of redheaded girls. That’s why Niall chose Lavinia.”

Amelia was sorely tempted to push her sister off her perch. Could she not see that Nicholas did not want to discuss Lavinia? Sometimes Catherine could be far too thick skulled.

“We have not seen you in a while, Nicholas.” Amelia attempted a sunny smile. “Have you been keeping busy?”

“I was down in London for the season but the estate cannot be neglected for long. I did not see you at all, Amelia. It would have been nice to see a friendly face.”

“Papa was busy and Mama was suffering with headaches all spring. Neither could spare the energy or the time.”

Or the coin, most likely. They were well off enough but having paid for one daughter’s dowry was quite enough expense for some time, let alone sending all four of them to London. Apparently, their parents had decided there was little chance of them bringing home a husband so it was not worth it.

She tried not to sigh. Mama loved them all but she was forever lamenting that they took after their father. She made it quite clear freckles, and books, and digging in dirt, and hideous singing would never gain them a husband. Honestly, though, she would rather spend her time making stories up than marrying someone who thought her beneath him purely because she was not fair-haired and buxom. She hadn’t missed the season and she did not believe her sisters had.

Of course, if those letters were discovered, none of them would experience a season again. The scandal would be too much and they’d be forced to hide away and rely on Lavinia and Niall’s charity forever.

No, if she could not find a husband for herself, she would at least find one for her sisters.