I already had a story made up in my mind- I had been in the gardens of the school when I had spotted Elizabeth, and with all the emotions caused from the reunion, Lord Robert had heard the commotion and come to see what it was all about. That way, I would not be accused of being alone with him when it was questioned why he was in the carriage with Eli, Elizabeth and I.
I was not sure how I would go about not incriminating Charlotte, whom had told Elizabeth I was at the school when she had spotted Elizabeth sneaking through the garden beneath the window to the bedroom my sister and I had shared for almost our entire lives. Inevitably, it would be asked how Elizabeth had known I was at the school, and to that, I had no good answer prepared.
The questions never came, though. As soon as the door opened, Michael looked past me and caught sight of his twin- once again, he was sitting with John just inside the Front Parlor, working on creating a second or third or perhaps fourth version of the music box they had made before.
Michael surged to his feet, bypassing both me and Robert, and shouldering Eli to the side as he swept Elizabeth up, shouting her name and swinging her around. The sound startled Emily awake from where she had laid sleeping in her brother's arms, but Robert hushed her, pressing her head back down against his shoulder and assuring her that everything was alright.
Thomas and Susanna surged out of the dining room at the sound of Michael's shouts, and Mother came rushing down the stairs so quickly I feared she may fall. Luckily, father caught up to her, and even in his haste he kept an eye on her and made certain she was steady on her feet before they, too, joined the mass of hugs and tears and greetings.
Mother was openly weeping, for once not concerned with formality and propriety and etiquette as she held Elizabeth close. I saw a flash of movement from the top floor, and glanced up to the banister and saw Miss Lancing standing there, smiling down at the display. Though hard to tell from this distance, I was almost certain that those were tears I saw her wiping away.
"Where have you been?" Mother demanded, pulling away to look at Elizabeth once more. As if overwhelmed by the sight of her face, Mother burst into tears again, yanking Elizabeth back into yet another embrace. "Oh, my child!"
It was several minutes before anyone even took note of Eli, whom was almost hiding behind the still-open door. Thomas was the one to notice him first, though I assumed that was only because he was the most controlled of the bunch and had been thinking that he should move to close the door so the neighbors would not take note of our chaotic and improper display.
My eldest brother put a gentle hand on my shoulder, moving me carefully to the side so he could pass me by. He glanced at Robert, and then looked beyond him, waiting until he had caught Michael's eye. When Michael's attention had been obtained, he passed me by as well, and I felt anxiety grip me as my brothers both herded Eli outside and closed the door.
I went to follow after them, determined not to allow them to hurt my childhood friend and new brother-in-law, but Robert put a hand on my shoulder.
"You stay here with your parents, alright?" He said, looking down at me. I bit my lip, uncertain.
Robert leaned a bit closer, scanning the room to make sure that my parent's eyes were not on us. They were fully distracted- as was Susannah, who had not seemed to notice her husband slip out of the room with Michael.
My Robin had not noted Miss Lancing standing above the lot of us, I supposed, gazing down at the scene. He leaned in even closer, and my breath caught as I tried to whisper a warning.
He breathed a reassurance my way, already reaching for the door. "Elizabeth needs you right now. I will do all I can to keep Eli from harm. Trust me."
And I did. So I allowed him hand Emily over to my care and make his way out of the door, watching as he opened and then closed it again behind him.
I did not miss the slight smirk on Miss Lancing's face as she turned to come down the stairs. She had, evidently, known about me and Robert from the start. I wondered if she would even buy my story of us happening upon each other at the school after Elizabeth had come to find me.
Probably not. The woman whom had raised me was certainly no fool. I had spent most of my childhood scanning the back of her head for the eyes that I was certain had to be there somewhere.
"Give her to me," Miss Lancing said gently, taking the small child from my arms. "She's exhausted- she can rest in Elizabeth's old bed until things have calmed down."
"Put her in mine," I said, watching as Emily yawned and rested her cheek against Miss Lancing's shoulder, her eyes fluttering closed despite being in a stranger's arms. She was indeed very tired, and I felt guilty that she had been brought to such a loud and dramatic gathering. "I'm sure she would like to have a doll to sleep with- mine is on the edge of the bed, just where it always is."
Miss Lancing smiled, looking a bit proud as she nodded and carried the child up the stairs.
My family whom was still in the house began to make their way into the drawing room, and while Elizabeth had been scolded and rebuked by both Mother and Father, the reunion had been an overwhelmingly emotional and happy one. As they all made off to the other room, though, I lingered by the front door, wondering where the boys had gone and if I should make my way outside to help Robert intervene.
Just as I decide I had better head out in search of Eli and my brothers, the golden knob twisted and the door swung open. There were no broken bones or missing teeth or streams of blood, as I had feared, and Robert came walking in at the very back of the pack, nodding at me reassuringly.
To my surprise, Thomas turned to Eli, holding his hand out. They shook hands, and while Michael did not reach to shake hands with Eli, as well, he at least nodded in his direction.
"They... um, they are all in the drawing room," I stuttered, perplexed by whatever had just taken place outside. Michael turned and stalked away, while Thomas walked at a normal pace after him.
Eli turned to Robert, reaching for the bag of money on his hip. "Here Robert- take this back. Thank you."
Robert held up a hand. "That's alright, Felix- consider it a wedding gift."
Eli looked hesitant. "Are you certain?"
"Yes."
Slowly, Eli tied the bag back to his hip. Then he reached out, holding his hand in Robert's direction. "Thank you, Robert. Truly. For everything."
Robert clasped his hand with a grin. "Do not mention it- if things work out as I hope, you and I shall be brothers some day soon."
Eli laughed, glancing between Robert and I before taking his leave, heading for the drawing room. He looked a bit more relaxed, now, and I supposed the worst had passed. Father was not as confrontational as my brothers.
"What happened out there?" I asked Robert, leaning close so as to not be overheard- the door to the drawing room was still open.
Robert seemed just as aware that Father or one of my brothers may step out and catch sight of us at any moment- he kept an almost-respectable distance from me. "Michael had a few choice words with Felix- nothing surprising, seeing as Felix did steal off with his sister without announcement or permission. But after interrogating him as to his plans to secure a future for Elizabeth and see that she is provided and cared for, all seemed to work out."
"With no fighting?"
"Nothing past a few shoves."
I smiled, knowing full well that it had been Michael doing the shoving- he was very impulsive, and quick to give into his temper. Luckily, his temper always faded away as quickly as it arrived. "Thank you for... well, everything, I suppose."
Boldly, and despite the open door to the drawing room, Robert reached forward and took my hand. "You never need to thank me for such things, Amelia- I shall always do what I can for you and your family."
How I wished I could reach forward and place a hand on his cheek, or bring my lips up to his own. But we were not in a place that allowed for such behavior, so I just gazed into his eyes, hoping he could see all that I felt there. "Thank you, all the same."
After a few seconds, he broke the gaze, knowing that even such an intimate look may be compromising for us should anyone walk into the room. He glanced about. "Where did my sister run off to?"
"She was put to bed up in my room- she was quite tired."
He nodded. "She has been running about all day. She went to church with me, played down by the stream just after service, spent the entire carriage ride getting worked up over a game of Morra with me, and then ran off to play with Lottie in the garden."
"I am glad that her and Lottie get on well. Lottie needs a friend."
"Emily does, as well. Though she takes quite a while to warm up to Lottie each time they see each other- I worry for her sometimes. Perhaps I was wrong not to send her to a school, where she can be around other children her age."
I shook my head as we began walking towards the drawing room to join the rest of my family. "No, my Robin-"
I paused when I said his nickname aloud, closing my eyes and exhaling. I needed to compose myself. It would not do if I let such a thing slip in just a few moments, when I was among my family.
After a moment, I started again. "No, Robert." He grinned at my correction as I went on. "It is best she is with you. She has already lost her parents. She needs her brother. You are all she has in this world."
He exhaled, still worried for the future of his sister, but knowing I was correct. "I know. It is just hard to see her struggle so much with children her own age. Come- they will start to wonder about us if we are out here too long. It isn't proper for us to be alone, anyway."
We both hid a smirk, knowing that we had been alone and in compromising positions together several times already. But we had a role to play, and secrets to keep. So we made our way into the drawing room, with me taking a seat beside Susanna on the loveseat and with Robert finding a place on the windowseat.
And I could not help but think, as I looked about at my family laughing and talking, and Robert smiling at me as he sat among them, that everything I could ever possibly hope for was right here in this very room.