As she waited for the twins to return, Avaline quickly wrote a letter to Lord Nightingale. It was more business than pleasure, and she hoped to send it through the day postage. The letter was simple. She would like to visit Nightingale Manor. Not only would it allow Avaline to see Lord Nightingale, but also to ask about Delilah and her job as a governess. Some things were better discussed in person.
Avaline had Jonas take care of the letter before returning her attention to the twins. Yet, despite the distraction, her mind kept wandering. How long would it take for Lord Ross to arrive? What would he ask of her?
Even throughout dinner, Avaline barely heard any of the conversation between her family. Vivian was just as quiet, if not more. The exhaustion of the day was in how her eyelids drooped and her slurred words.
After helping Elaine bathe the twins, Avaline returned to her room. She tried to convince herself that Charles wouldn't give her away without talking to her first. However, if their financial crisis didn't change, he might not have a choice, and Avaline couldn't blame him.
Avaline stayed by the window waiting for Belle, but after midnight, she returned to bed. Even the next day, Lord Nightingale hadn't sent a single letter. Had she done something to offend him? Had he changed his mind? Would he reject her?
Avaline's turmoil hung over her head like a thunderstorm. It was the many reasons why Elaine and Vivian had her watch over Madam Olivia for the next few days. Other than Madam Olivia's occasional outbursts, she didn't care about Avaline's heavy sighing.
On one such day, Avaline asked for advice, but her mother never replied. Madam Olivia would look at Avaline for some time, bringing her hope that she was aware, but nothing changed.
No matter how many hours she waited at night, Lord Nightingale's letter never came.
After dinner one night, Vivian waited for Avaline outside their Mother's door. Quietly, Avaline closed the door and walked with Vivian.
"How's Mother?"
"She finished her meal," Avaline replied. "She's been moving around the room more."
"That's great news." Vivian took her hand. "Maybe we can have her move around the garden."
Avaline raised an eyebrow. "Has anyone maintained the garden?"
Vivian smiled sheepishly. "Perhaps not in the garden."
Shaking her head, the two girls walked toward Avaline's room. Lottie had lit a few candles, which bathed the room with warm light. The sisters sat on Avaline's bed. With a sigh, Avaline pulled at the laces of her shoes.
"About tomorrow's Sol Sermon," she began.
Avaline could only imagine what she wanted to talk about. It didn't look like she knew about Lord Ross arriving soon.
"Are you meeting up with Lord Nightingale?" Vivian finished.
That wasn't an easy question to answer. Avaline wished they would meet so she could speak to him.
Trying to hide her disappointment, Avaline shook her head. "We're not meeting up. If he wants to join the sermon, I don't have any control over that."
Vivian frowned. "You know what I mean."
"I don't." Avaline unlaced her other shoe.
Vivian sighed. "Be honest with me. What's going on with you and Lord Nightingale?"
Avaline kicked her shoes off. As she stretched, her toes popped. "Is that you or Charles asking?"
"I'm asking as your concerned sister."
Avaline glanced at her. "I have never told Lord Nightingale to meet me at church. He came to attend at his own free will. If he's there tomorrow, then it's not because I told him so."
"What was the Luna festival about? You two decided to go on a date?"
"Where is this coming from?" Avaline crossed her arms. "You don't need to worry about me."
"I hear things at the bank, Ava." Vivian touched her hand to her chest. "Half of Blackburry knows the two of you are getting too close."
Avaline scoffed. "Does it matter?"
Vivian gave her a look. "Charles said Lord Ross is arriving soon. He's going to ask for your hand in marriage."
Avaline's breath rushed out of her lungs. Dread knotted her stomach. "Charles won't give me away without asking me."
"Having rumors around you will chase suitors away."
Avaline stood and paced around her room. "If they can't trust me, then they don't deserve me."
"Ava."
"Vivian, who I choose to be with is none of your concern." She raised her chin. "If I want to court Lord Nightingale, that's between him and me."
Vivian jumped up. "You want to court a vampire?!"
"Why not?" Avaline blurted out. "Why can't I? Everyone keeps telling me it isn't right. Why? Why does anyone care? If we're happy, that's all that should matter. What are you going to do? Kick me out?"
Huffing, she crossed her arms.
Vivian walked toward her sister. She wrapped her arms around Avaline's shoulders. "I'm sorry," she muttered. "I didn't know you liked him so much."
Avaline leaned away, but Vivian didn't let go.
"Have you talked to him about being together?"
Avaline shook her head.
"Have you told Charles?"
"No." Avaline bit her lip. "What did he say?"
"Hmm?"
"Charles. What did he say when Lord Nightingale came to the house?"
"I didn't hear much." Vivian leaned against Avaline's head. "I know they had a gentlemen's pledge. Lord Nightingale would get you and the twins safely home."
Avaline played with a strand of hair. "Hmm. Should I marry Lord Ross?"
"The question is: do you want to marry Lord Ross?"
The word 'no' came to Avaline's lips. She didn't need to say it. Vivian already knew.
Avaline sighed. "It could help our family."
Vivian shook her head. "Charles and I couldn't live with ourselves if you sacrificed yourself for us. No one wants that."
Avaline nodded, but her sister's words didn't make her feel any better.
Vivian stepped back. "Get some rest."
As Vivian left, Avaline stared out her window. It was easy to say she wanted to be with Lord Nightingale, but were they close enough to have such a talk? Even if he had said he would accept her advances, what if he didn't feel the same way? What if my actions were pressuring him?
Perhaps tomorrow will be a chance to set her worries at ease.
***
"Stop squirming," Vivian hissed beside Avaline.
Seated at the back of the circular stone pews, the morning light warmed Avaline's back. Priestess Sol continued her prayer for the soldiers as the harp music elevated her words.
"I'm not squirming," Avaline whispered.
"He's not here. So stop looking for him."
The disappointment made Avaline bitter. "How do you know?"
Vivian rolled her eyes. "I kept an eye out for him. For you."
Avaline tried to smile. Shouldn't she be glad she didn't have to face her worries? But it didn't make her feel any better. Should Avaline commit to a relationship that might end in friendship or nothing? What did she want?
Avaline gnawed on her nail. There was a clear line that divided them. She knew it wasn't acceptable to treat a relationship with Lord Nightingale as serious.
As Avaline listened to the harp, she took a deep breath. Regardless of the time she had known him, she liked Sebastian Nightingale. She wanted to be with him. It's easy, she thought.
If she liked him, it didn't matter how their relationship ended. It would be nice to hope for something where they could be together for a long time. And yet, if it couldn't be long-term, she should be grateful that they were together, albeit temporarily.
Vivian nudged her arm. When Avaline looked around, everyone had stood. However, Lord Nightingale was absent.
"I should have invited him," Avaline muttered.
Vivian leaned in. "What?"
She shook her head.
As the sermon closed, many attendees loitered around. Elaine and Charles took the twins and walked out of the building. Vivian gathered with a group of people around her age. Avaline had never seen them before, but she noticed one girl in particular with large eyes.
Avaline moved closer to the group, only for Sister Tucker to walk up to her.
"Sister Tucker. To what do I owe this surprise?"
Her dimpled smile made her feel at ease. "It is I who is surprised," she replied. To Avaline's confusion, she continued, "You solved one of my regrets."
"I did?"
"When you sent Lord Nightingale to aid me in my attempts to send care packages to the front line, I had an epiphany."
Avaline gaped at her. "I - I didn't know."
Had he gone out of his way to help with her impossible idea? Why would he do such a thing, unless . . .?
"I can't take credit," Avaline blurted out. "Lady Poppy came up with the idea. Not to mention Lady Stewart and Lady Kain also made important contributions."
"Yet it was you who put it into motion." Sister Tucker grabbed her hand. "Sol thanks you."
Avaline's face turned red.
"I will send out invitations to gather," Sister Tucker continued. "I think those who came up with this idea should be at the helm."
"Of course," Avaline said. "If you will excuse me, my family needs me."
Politely, she walked away. To think Lord Nightingale would take the initiative in this manner baffled her. No one else had done such a thing for her before. Avaline's heart couldn't stop fluttering. The desire to see him burned in her chest. Now, she had the excuse to meet him.
All of Avaline's worries concerning Lord Ross emptied from her head. He was far away. She didn't need to concern herself over him when he wasn't here. She couldn't remember a time when Lord Ross had devoted himself to anything Avaline had said. There was no comparison between the two.
Lord Nightingale, on the other hand, had actively helped Avaline even though he'd poked holes into the plan. Perhaps that was the reason he hadn't attended today's Sol sermon. Avaline truly wanted to believe that. And if it wasn't true, then Avaline knew he still had taken the time to speak with Sister Tucker on her behalf.
On the way to the carriage, Vivian latched herself to Avaline's arm.
"What's the hurry?" she asked. "You were dragging your feet earlier."
Avaline noticed the smile on her sister's face, and it wasn't because she was teasing her.
Ignoring her, Avaline said, "The girl is very pretty. When did you two meet?"
Vivian's eyes widened. "You-you saw?"
"What's her name?"
Vivian shook her head. "We're friends."
"That doesn't answer my question." Avaline wiggled an eyebrow at her.
"We are," Vivian insisted.
"Sure." Avaline smiled.
Vivian cleared her throat. "Where were you going so quickly? "
Avaline blew air into her face. "I need to send Lady Poppy my thanks," she lied. "She took the time to escort the twins and me."
As she said this, they got on the carriage. It wasn't completely a lie. Avaline had decided to withhold some of the truth.