AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ah, yes, but—” Elizabeth cut off, shaking her head. She wouldn’t bother to explain that she’d grown to be overly kind and polite to everyone she came in contact with, servant or no. “Anyhow, I would like a copy of The Times if it is still available. Or, any other morning newspaper should do.”
Harold’s cool expression fell back into place as he nodded. “Yes, My Lady,” he said, and then took his leave.
Elizabeth sighed upon his exit, continuing to gaze out the window. She had far too many questions for William, many more than she had before she’d met him again. Now, she didn’t only want to know why he’d left. She wanted to know what had happened after he’d left, why his father had returned to London, what had occurred in this manor that had caused the butler to keep quiet. She could figure out easily enough that the deceased Duke had married into the Dukedom. She’d even seen a portrait of a somber looking woman with brown hair and sad eyes in one of the hallways, who Minnie had pointed out as the Duchess of Brandon. But that knowledge only opened up more questions.
A few minutes went by with Elizabeth simply mulling over those questions when Minnie returned bearing her tea. The maid sat with her while Elizabeth drank and though she offered a cup to Minnie, the maid had rigidly told her that she could not possibly do so, her cheeks going red. Elizabeth hadn’t bothered to press her. She knew very well the line between servant and lady that maids didn’t dare to cross, but most of the time, Elizabeth didn’t care about it.
Then after a while, silence fell over them and Elizabeth was lost in her thoughts again, all centered around William—willing him to return soon. She hoped she would be able to contain herself when she saw him again, rather than letting all her questions out loose.
Just how many secrets do you have, William?
Elizabeth couldn’t wait to find out.
Chapter 9
By the time Elizabeth had asked for the newspaper, it had gone out of circulation. However, the next morning, as she prepared for the day, Harold came to her bedchamber with the day’s copy of The Times in his hand.
“Please, My Lady,” he said with a deep bow that made him nearly parallel to the floor, “forgive the lateness in providing this. I have no excuse.”
Elizabeth, alarmed, glanced at Minnie as if the maid would be able to help her out of this suddenly awkward situation. She looked back at Harold, shaking her head as she said, “It is quite all right, Harold. I was in no rush at all. Please, raise your head.”
Harold straightened and his gaze settled on Elizabeth’s shoulder once again. “Thank you, My Lady. Is there anything else I might assist you with?”
“Yes, there is one thing. I would like to have my breakfast in my bedchamber.” Seeing that William was not here, the last thing Elizabeth wanted to do was to eat alone in a large dining room. Even when she’d been back home, she’d always had Patience’s company.
“As you wish, My Lady.” Harold bowed once more before he took his leave. Elizabeth watched him go, feeling both perplexed and comforted by the prudent man William had as his butler. The level of dedication Harold had to his position was something to be admired.
Elizabeth turned to face the mirror at her vanity table once more and Minnie resumed doing her hair. She’d asked Minnie to put her hair in a rather simple style, considering she’d woken with a headache and loathed the thought of having her hair twisted up under pins. Silence fell over the room once more as Minnie continued her task and Elizabeth’s thoughts drifted away to other things.
She thought of her father, and Patience. The latter did know where she was right now, but at least understood why she’d left. The former was sure to be completely clueless—and undoubtedly distressed—about Elizabeth’s disappearance. Patience, Elizabeth knew, would not say a single word about what happened. She would take Elizabeth’s secret to the grave if she had to.
Which means Father must be suffering quite a lot right now. Is he looking for me? Has he told Lord Horenwall of my disappearance?
Considering her wedding was slated to be held soon, Elizabeth couldn’t imagine that Lord Horenwall could be kept in the dark for much longer, if he had not learned of her disappearance as yet. It was why she wanted the newspaper. She wanted to see if there was any mention of her, if there was a reward declared for anyone who might know of her whereabouts.
Elizabeth picked up the newspaper and began to scan its contents, searching for a picture of her face or her name. She found nothing. Elizabeth folded the newspaper, set it down on her table, and sighed.
