From the front of the church, a man in a black cassock ascended the three-decker pulpit. Felton turned back around in his seat. The noises died into silence. The service began with song.
A strange sensation chilled the length of Eliza’s arms.
So this was what it was like to be amid people. To feel, if even for a second, as if she belonged in a world she’d only read about.
’Twas a good feeling almost.
When the service concluded, Mrs. Eustace ushered her out of the box pew and into the full aisle, where everyone made a slow shuffle outside. They’d no more than made it to the vestibule when a hand touched her arm.
“You will ride home with me.”
She eased out of his touch. “And if I refuse?”
“I wouldn’t, if I were you.” Felton’s determination left little room for argument, and after explaining the change of plans to a frowning Mrs. Eustace, he guided her outside and helped her into his high-perch phaeton. “Ever rode in one of these?”
“No.”
“They’re named after the son of a Greek sun god. Seems the ol’ boy Phaëton was not so good at driving his sun chariot—and thus, the name of our vehicle.” The carriage lurched into motion, and sweet-smelling morning air breathed on their faces.
My, but this was strange. Riding this way in a carriage with a gentleman, after a pleasant morning of church. How many times had she imagined such a scene in her head? If she imagined now, she could pretend it was a normal thing. That it happened every Sunday, and that the gentleman sitting next to her desired her company—not her memory.
But such thoughts were no better than one of Captain’s stories. They were falsehoods, after all, and would end before she’d have a chance to get truly attached to them. Besides that, she would be leaving Monbury Manor soon. Just as soon as she had enough courage to find a way home.
“What think you of church?”
“It was…well, sort of lovely.”
“I suppose you’ve never been before.”
“Never.”
“Do you pray, Miss Gillingham?”
“Of course I do. Surely you do not think I was without faith in the forest.”
“I was not certain. You were quite without everything else.”
The phaeton rattled onward, the horse hooves clomped the dirt road, and the silence grew nearly uncomfortable. Where were the questions he was always badgering her with?
“Your family.” Eliza stared at the rolling countryside as it passed. “I did not see them with you today.”
“My mother is ill.”
“I am sorry. And your father?”
“By her side.”
“That is very commendable of him. Do you have siblings?”
“Yes. My elder brother Aaron is off to Cambridge, while my younger brother Hugh is with Wellington’s army.”
“I see.” She hesitated. “And I…I never had any siblings?”
His eyes moved to hers, then glanced back to the road just as quickly. “Yes, a brother. He only lived a few short weeks after birth.”
“Did I ever hold him?”
“I think not. You were but four at the time.”
