The wedding between Kurt Avery and Melanie Culmer took place quickly – only one month later. The announcement was rushed and sudden, talk of it rushing quickly from mouth to mouth in the days leading up to the ceremony.

That very morning, Hannah met Kaye at the river, and was prodded by her and a bunch of other women, most of all Mrs. Appleby. "He likes her now," Hannah said simply. "That is all I can say."

"But poor Belle Carlton!" the older woman gushed. "How could he go back on such an arrangement? I would be ashamed if my own son did such a thing."

"It happens, Mrs. Appleby," Kaye remarked sagely. "But Hannah, did you know? I mean before today?"

"No. Of course not," she lied. "I learned just as the rest of you did."

"But of course," Mrs. Appleby said. "How should she have been privy to such a thing?"

"Well, she's close to the Averys," Kaye noted, looking at Hannah. "And Kurt's always been very sweet to you."

"He has. But such things are not for me to know."

"Well, I honestly thought Melanie Culmer would never be taken," Mrs. Appleby continued. "With a reputation like that? She should never surpass the two of you – you are far better girls, I'm sure."

Yet far lonelier.

Hannah dragged up the last of the laundry, not even bothering to wring them out first. She clutched her basket and got to her feet, nodding her goodbye. She didn't want to pretend anymore that she was happy about this news.

The wedding itself was like any other, the bride and groom dressed to their best as they took their vows and their village walk. Except people whispered behind them, especially since none of the Carltons showed their faces for the event.

Hannah herself was feeling nothing by this point. She watched blankly from her step as the two of them passed her house – sunny Kurt and proud, sultry Melanie. A strange pair. Rio had been right. She never would have guessed, even if she had cared to try. Her brother stood above her now, arms crossed as his gaze followed the new couple. "Goes to show you never really know a person," he commented.

"Will she be living with them?" Hannah asked.

"Of course."

"Will that be a little strange for us? You know, when we have to go over there?"

"I don't know. Truth is, none of the family likes her, other than Kurt."

"But they don't actually say anything, do they?"

"No, but I think she knows."

"Ma told me it was like that with her and Da's family. After they were married."

"It's not the same."

"No, I suppose not." She wasn't really sure why she had even brought that up. She normally never spoke about Ma to her brother, it being such a sensitive subject. Probably she was bothered by the fact that no letter had arrived yet. That made it a few months now. Before, Hannah had feared the worst, but now, she felt that it made a sort of sense. Her Ma was gone, and Da had followed her. Maybe somehow, deep down, he'd known?

"We're invited to the wedding dinner," Rio told her.

"We should go. But … I'd rather not."

"I'd rather not either. But Tom would be upset if we didn't."

"And Kurt too."

"Oh, yes. Kurt," he said, saying the name like it had a bad taste. "Wouldn't want to upset him."

"I take it you're on the side of Mrs. Appleby and so many others against their match."

"No, I'm only against Kurt."

"You don't think Melanie played some part in it?"

"I've no doubt she did. But I respected Kurt much more than I did Melanie."

She paused, dipping her chin. "I see what you mean."

He turned round, pushing open the door. "We still have maybe another hour before the dinner."

"You're going to stay in?"

"Yes, why?"

"Oh no, I just thought you … never mind." She went in after him, shutting out the village and the ongoing ceremony. "I'm going to make some tea. Would you like any?"

At first, he said nothing, his back to her as he headed for his room. But then he stopped, looking back at her. "Alright," he decided. "Maybe a little."

She nodded, going into the kitchen to start the pot boiling. He wandered in a step after her, taking a seat while she readied the strainer and leaves.

"Not much left," she murmured.

"What?"

"The tea. I hope one of the peddlers comes around soon."

He didn't say anything for a moment. She poured out the hot, dark liquid, and out of luxury, added in a small amount of honey for each of them. Rio took his cup carefully, staring into it. "I spoke to one of them the other day."

"Who?"

"One of the Dalen peddlers."

"Oh. So?"

"He told me that Dalen is drafting for guards. And … I'm thinking of going."

"Guards?" she repeated in disbelief. "You're telling me you want to be a soldier? In Dalen?" That's where their Ma was supposed to be. Could that have anything to do with this idea?

"I don't see why I can't try."

"Oh, no? Other than the fact that you're too young, too small, too – "

"You're not being fair."

"No, actually, I'm being honest."

He got up, knocking against the table and spilling his tea. "I intend to go, whatever you say."

"Leaving everything we have? Our house, our farm? What about the Averys?"

"I already told them."

"You told them?"

He gave her a cool nod. "Both Fadden and his father."

"And what did they say?"

"They don't understand. In their minds, we're all set to stay here forever, living farmers' lives."

"And that's so horrible?" she asked, offended.

"No, it's just not for me. I know you think me lazy and good for nothing, but I'm not. I'm just no farmer. I thought you at least would be more understanding, but it seems like I was wrong."

"All I'm saying is I don't think you're right for it, and I don't want you to be disappointed."

"I would rather! I should much rather be disappointed than discouraged."

"I'm not discouraging you. If you want to go, by all means go. I would never stop you."

"But you don't want me to make it in, do you?"

"Don't put words in my mouth."

"Fine. Tonight, I'm going for the dinner, but as soon we come home, I'm packing to leave in the morning."

"If you can make it to Dalen and figure out some way to survive there, I applaud you."

"I will come home," he said firmly, like he was promising her. "I don't know how long it'll take or how it'll go, but I will."

"You don't have to arrange your life according to me, Rio. One day, we each have to go our own way."

He stiffened. "I never saw it like that."

"Well, I'm older. I know what must happen, even if you don't."

Stone-faced, her brother walked out, leaving his cup still full and steaming in front of his seat. Hannah stared at it, thinking what a waste it was. She reached out, pulling it close to her own. More for her. In fact, not just more this but everything. If Rio was gone, then all of this was for her – the house, the land. She could do anything she wanted, she could build her own life.

She paused, looking around the large, empty kitchen. Funny, but the thought didn't make her as happy as she'd expected.