“You are finally here!” Adeline crowed, hugging Deborah’s waist tight, “Look, Uncle Cedric and I found your sister! We did it! Are you happy, Aunty Deborah? Will you stay now?”
Still looking at Hester, Deborah nodded as she wrapped her arms tightly around Adeline’s shoulders, holding her close.
“We missed you so very much,” Adeline excitedly went on, “We have so much to tell you. So does Hester. I love her; she is so very lovely. I am so glad that she came home with us.”
As one, Deborah and Hester drew their gaze down to the little girl, soft smiles spreading across their faces. Deborah slowly moved down to her knees and met Adeline’s eyes. Her smile grew as she cupped Adeline’s cheeks and pressed kisses to her forehead, nose, and cheeks.
“Thank you for bringing her home, sweet girl,” Deborah gratefully replied. “And yes, we have so much to discuss.”
From behind them, Cedric cleared his throat.
“We will have plenty of time for that tomorrow,” he assured Adeline, “But for now, my little dove, it is late. Let us get you to bed and allow Aunty Deborah and Aunty Hester to catch up. They have so much to talk about, as you know.”
Adeline gave an annoyed huff as she rolled her eyes and slumped her shoulders.
“I am not even the slightest bit tired, Uncle,” she grumbled, then turned to look between Deborah and Hester, “Although I suppose it would be selfish of me to take up all of Aunty Deborah’s time this evening. Very well.”
Deborah, Hester, and Cedric all chuckled at Adeline’s rational response. Deborah gave her another tight hug, promising her that they would talk tomorrow. Then Adeline ran back to Hester, hugged her, and then walked to Cedric to take his hand.
“Take as long as you need,” Cedric murmured to Deborah as he brushed a kiss along her cheek. “I will be in my rooms if you have need of me.”
Deborah simply nodded, not trusting her voice as emotion railed against her chest, and turned to look at Hester. For a moment, neither moved as they were left alone, their eyes locked back on one another as if neither could quite believe what they were seeing. Then at once they were moving, rushing toward one another as sobs broke from their throats and their arms flung around one another.
“I thought I was never going to see you again,” Deborah sobbed, pressing Hester close, “I feared the worst when I stopped receiving your letters!”
“I am so sorry I worried you,” Hester rasped as they began rocking one another, “The scandal broke out far and wide. I kept getting recognized, even after changing my name. I had to find work away from the nobles before I could finally find peace, and by then I was terrified that our letters might get intercepted.”
“But I am here now,” Hester croaked, pulling away just enough so that they could look at one another, “I am here, and it is all thanks to that husband of yours and his darling niece.”
Deborah let out a half-laugh, half-sob as they framed one another’s face with their hands and pressed their foreheads together.
“I have missed you so very much,” Deborah confessed, “It nearly drove me mad.”
“From what your husband tells me, itdiddrive you mad,” Hester replied.
When Deborah made a face, Hester laughed and took her hand, leading her to the couch.
“What all did he tell you?” Deborah asked as they sat.
Hester smiled a little as she leaned forward to tuck back a strand of Deborah’s hair, just like she had when they were younger.
“That you are a relentless wonder,” Hester explained. “That you put yourself in the auction, spied on it for years just so you could get your revenge on Sylvester for what he did to me. That he foiled your plans and enraged you when he purchased you instead.”
Hester’s brow perked in amusement.
“That you nearly stabbed him at a party?” She mused.
Laughter bubbled up from Deborah’s mouth, and she quickly slapped her hand over her lips to stop it.
“That really is not funny, I suppose. I could have ruined everything.”
“But you did not,” Hester replied immediately, pulling Deborah’s hand back down. “You were persistent.”
“It did not matter,” Deborah said with a guilty sigh, “The only reason we succeeded was because of Cedric.”
“No,” Hester replied, shaking her head, “Hesucceeded because of the workyoualready started. You saved me together. And I am so very grateful you did.”
Feeling her emotions take over again, Deborah leaned forward and held Hester tight.