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“Minnie,” she called wearily, resting in the drawing room. She decided to sit by the window, enjoying the wind.
Minnie stood at attention at the call of her name. “Yes, My Lady?”
“I would like to have some tea, please,” Elizabeth said kindly. She smiled at the maid and was given one in return, though it was tentative.
“As you wish, My Lady,” Minnie said and turned towards the door.
“Oh, and Minnie?” Elizabeth called, watching as Minnie faced her again with a question in her eyes. “Could you fetch Harold for me?”
“Yes, My Lady.” Minnie nodded and, soon after, left the room.
Alone, Elizabeth’s thoughts grew louder. She missed William, despite all that had happened between them. The feeling panged her chest with more force than she’d expected and she looked at the empty chair across from her, remembering when he’d sat there just the morning before.
As he’d said, he’d left shortly after leaving her bedchamber. The thought that she would not be able to see him again until tomorrow’s evening bothered her, but she’d waited seven years to see him again. A day would go by in a blink of an eye, even though she wished desperately that he was with her right now.
Elizabeth sighed softly. This was certainly not how she’d envisioned seeing him again. When their paths finally crossed again after so long, Elizabeth thought he would be as happy to see her as she was to see him. Or, if anything, open to letting her into his life again. Instead, she’d been met with wall after wall, and though she’d managed to skirt around them so far, she didn’t know how much longer his patience would last. He wanted nothing to do with her, nothing to do with all that he’d left behind. And when he was bored of her, she was afraid he would cast her aside. Or leave like he’d done last time.
If he dares to do such a thing, I will not forgive him.
Determination rose within her once more at the thought. She couldn’t let him get away, not without at least an explanation. She deserved that much.
The memory of his heated gaze, resting solely on her lips, flashed through her mind and Elizabeth flushed. She held a hand to her chest, feeling her racing heart under her fingertips. She’d thought he might kiss her in that moment. It had certainly looked as if he wanted to.
So why hadn’t he?
“Lady Elizabeth?”
Jumping, Elizabeth swiveled to see Harold stepping two steps behind her, looking curiously at her. His eyes seemed to be trained on her face this time.
“Harold!” she gasped. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Only a few moments. Is something the matter, My Lady?” he asked in an effortlessly calm voice. “You appeared to be very lost in thought just now.”
“I-it’s nothing,” she responded quickly, a bit flustered to be caught thinking about William like that. “But thank you for coming so quickly.”
Harold came to stand before her, waiting.
Elizabeth licked her lips. She didn’t know what sort of man Harold was, but butlers were usually loyal to their masters. And Harold seemed to be a very upright man. She had to choose her words carefully.
“Has His Grace been treating you well since you’ve begun working here?” she asked, hoping to ease him into the conversation.
Harold nodded. “Very well, My Lady.”
“I see. And what of the former Duke? Had he treated you well, also?”
“Yes, My Lady,” Harold said, his expression unmoving.
Elizabeth licked her lips. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking. “I’d heard a few things about the former Duke,” she explained. “And from what I’d heard, I’d think that he might have had an…unusual personality.”
“Perhaps you could say so,” Harold responded.
Elizabeth perked up. “Is that so? In what way?”
“You will have to ask His Grace about that matter.”
Elizabeth’s excitement dissipated instantly. “Are you not allowed to speak about the former Duke?”
“It is not that we aren’t allowed, My Lady,” Harold stated. “But I believe that is a topic His Grace should undertake with you himself.”
“Ah, I see. You are rather dedicated to William, aren’t you?”
“Very much so, My Lady. I am afraid, whatever questions you have regarding what has happened in this household, are not matters I will speak about.”
Elizabeth lifted her brows in surprise. “Then I take it something interesting happened.” Harold did not respond to that. He blinked slowly. Elizabeth understood what that meant. “Very well, thank you for your time nonetheless. I’ll ask His Grace about it myself.”
Although I doubt he will tell me anything.
“That will be the better route to take, My Lady. Now, if you have no further business with me, I will take my leave.”
“Wait,” she blurted out. “I also have one last request if you do not mind.”
For the first time since she’d met him, Harold’s neutral expression cracked with a slight frown. “I do not think I am in a position to mind anything you ask of me, My Lady. You are His Grace’s guest, after all.”
