The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1737

“I…”

Shirley’s voice was barely a whisper, still weak as she tried to sit up.

“I know.”

Andrew gripped her hand, his gaze serious and steady. “My mother has always tried to run my life. She never lets me make my own choices.”

He took a breath and continued, “If it wasn’t you, if it was some other girl she didn’t like, she would have done everything she could to split us up. Maybe even something worse.”

He squeezed her hand a little tighter. “So don’t blame yourself. Don’t feel guilty. You haven’t done anything wrong, and nobody in the Blair family is mad at you.”

“What you need to do now is focus on getting better. And then, when you’re healthy again, you can actually enjoy Charlotte’s wedding.”

“Really?” Shirley’s fingers curled around his shirt as she leaned into his arms, her voice hoarse and aching. “I’m sorry, Andrew.”

She still couldn’t stop herself from thinking that, if it hadn’t been for her, none of this would have happened.

“Shirley.”

Andrew kissed her forehead gently, pulling her into his chest, holding her so close she could hear his heartbeat. “I promise, I won’t ever let you get hurt again.”

A sigh drifted from the doorway. Geneva looked at the two of them tangled up together, a fond but helpless smile on her lips. Then she quietly slipped out, shaking her head as she went.

***

The Blair house felt quieter than it had in weeks after Dorothy left. Everything seemed to settle back into place overnight.

“Lottie, the dresses are upstairs,” Lavinia said with a wide smile as she patted Charlotte’s hand. “The wedding’s almost here. If you don’t like anything, just tell me, okay?”

“Okay.”

Anthony stepped close, reaching up to gently tuck her stray hair behind her ear, letting his fingers linger. “Why don’t you try it on?”

Charlotte peeked at the dress, a candy rolling on her tongue, looking at it like it was just another outfit instead of show-stopping couture. “Are you gonna help me change?”

Anthony’s voice actually caught in his throat. He slid his arm around her waist, leaned down, his lips right by her ear. “If I help, you’ll never finish trying these on before tomorrow. Are you sure you want that?”

Charlotte almost rolled her eyes, realizing where this was going. She hurriedly grabbed the dress, shoved her snacks into his hands, and before disappearing into the closet she shot him a quick command. “Eat those for me.”

Anthony’s lips twisted into a wicked little smile. He settled on the sofa, crossing his long legs with a lazy confidence, already cracking open sunflower seeds as he waited.

A few minutes later, the closet door creaked open.

Charlotte padded out, bare feet sinking into the carpet, hair a little wild from wrestling with the dress. Her cheeks were tinged with frustration as she craned her arms behind her back, obviously fighting with the stubborn zipper.