Sophie''s suggestion was met with immediate approval.
"Tather, Sophie''s right," Dn said. "It''s not convenient for us to go to Saint Grace Nunnery, but if she goes, the Reverend won''t have any reason to stop her
Gabriel nodded. "Sophie, you''re so thoughtful. I''ll leave this to you."
"Don''t worry, Father. I''ll definely bring Eliza back! Sophie promised without hesitation
Dn smiled "With
Sophie handling it sess is guaranteed!"
"Absolutely!" Matthew added. "She''s so kind and lovable-those Reverends at the nunnery will be charmed by her. If they help convince Eliza, she might juste home!
Inwardly, Sophie scoffed. She had no interest in winning over a bunch of nuns.
Sull, she kept up her sweet, innocent smile, asionally blushing at their praise, giving no hint of what she truly thought
While Dn and Matthew kept fawning over her, Benedict stood off to the side, unusually quiet.
He watched Sophie cling to their father''s arm, Gabriel''s indulgent smile as he looked at his daughter, and his brothers showering Sophie with admiration. Then Nn''s words echoed in his mind-she said she would never regret it.
Benedict couldn''t understand why 1 Eliza would say she had no regrets.
This family was warm and close. Their father loved his children, he and his brothers dosed on their sister, and even the youngest sister was considerate. Benedict couldn''t understand why Eliza wouldn''t want toe back.
Then, he thought of something. Sure, Dn hit her sometimes, and Father punished her on asion, but wasn''t that because she was wrong and
immature? Could she really want to leave home forever over something so trivial!"
A slow anger burned in Benedict. He was angry at Eliza for being so
so stubborn and refusing to reflect on her mistakes.
And he was angry at himself he had failed as ber eldest brother. He hadn''t guided her properly
When shees back he thought grimly, 1l make sure she learns her ce. She''ll be a good and sensible sister, whether she likes it or not.
The next morning. Gabriel and Benedict left early for work at the pce. Anthony was still unwell and resting, so only Dn and Matthew saw Sophir off
ha
"Come on, Dn. Matthew, that''s enough." Sophie said with a smile as they fusted over the carriage. "The seat is already soft. I won''t be rattled to pieces"
Her twin brothers had taken extra care preparing the ride. The road to Mount Westin was rough, and they wanted to make sure she wasfortable..
While adjusting the cushions himself, Dn grumbled, "This is all Eliza''s fauk. If she hadn''t insisted on bing a nun, you wouldn''t have to go through this hassle."
Matthew, less talkative duan his twin, just nodded in agree
agreement, his expression mirroring Dn''s irritation
so can 1.
Sophur sighed, putting on a look of reluctant eptance. "Can''t be helped. If Eliza could make the trip, so can
But deep down, the was sehing
The journey from Hasen City to Mount Westin took over two hours. If it weren''t for
her ns, she wouldn''t waste her time on something so
Juirwait Eliza. Once you''re back, you''ll pay for this, she thought
Just then, a servant came running out, panic written all over h
mining!"
over his face. "Lord Dn! Lord Matthew! Bad news-Lady Mowbay''s memorial que is
Dn and Matthew''s expressions darkened at the ume time.
"What?" Dn snapped. "How could you not notice something so important was gone!"
10.18 AM
"Who would take Mother''s memorial que!" Matthew asked, his brow furrowing.
A sudden realization struck them both. They turned to each other and shouted angrily, "Could it be Eliza!"
"She even took Mother''s memorial que!" Dn exploded. "That thief? What right does she have to take it!"
Matthew''s face hardened. Their sister was gening more and more out of control, Running off to be a nun was bad enough—bringing disgrace to the Stonor family-and now she had stolen their mother''s memorial que.
"Damn it! I knew she was up to something yesterday." Dn fumed. "I should''ve kept a closer eye on her!"
Linle did they know, Eliza had taken more than just the memorial que. She had also taken her mother''s keepsakes and other belongings. They just hadn''t realized it yet.
Matthew''s voice was cold. "No point yelling about it now. She must have taken it to Saint Grace Nunnery yesterday"
Dn turned to Sophie. It''s all up to you now. You have to bring back both Eliza and our mother''s memorial que."
"Of course. I''ll do my best," Sophie said sweetly, but inside, she was gloating. It was perfect that Eliza actually took her mother''s memorial que.
Sophie had been nning to toss that lowborn woman''s memorial que out of the Stonor family''s private chapel anyway-to make room for her own mother. Now, Eliza had saved her the trouble.
Once she got to Saint Grace Nunnery, all she needed was a litle "ident" to break the memorial que and pin the me on Eliza.
A disgraceful daughter who selfishly stole her own mother''s memorial que and caused a scene at Saint Grace Nunnery? There was no way someone like that would be allowed to pray for the country as a Holy Lady.
The n wasing together perfectly. As Sophie''s carriage made its way toward Saint Grace Nunnery on Mount Westin, she was already imagining the oue.
But before she could even set foot inside, the main gate mmed shut right in her face.
"Saint Grace Nunnery is closed today. No visitors, a Reverend said from behind the door.
Sophie quickly swallowed her irritation and forced a smile. "Reverend, you misunderstand. I''m not just any visitor. I came to see my sister. The Reverend arched a brow. "Your sister!"
"Yes, Eliza. She arrived yesterday," Sophie said, putting on her best concerned- sister act. "I was so worried about her that I came all this way. Could you please let us meet?"
Sise expected her disy of affection to work instantly.
But then, another voice rang out from inside-cold and firm. "There is no one here named Eliza. And certainly no sister of yours. Please leave!