Olivia’s mouth fell open. “My word, why would he do such a thing?”
Bett began pacing, her anger barely contained at this breach of privacy. “I think I know exactly why.”
“Why?”
“Cecily.”
“What does your sister-in-law have to do with my letters being kept from you?” Olivia asked.
Bett took a seat next to her friend and explained how anxious Cecily had been since she had her child, even with the wet nurse in residence.
“Is the child not healthy? Is that why she’s so anxious?”
“No. He’s a delightful, healthy little boy. I can only think that Lord Williams doesn’t want to upset her at all, and having me here at Crenshaw Manor keeps him from having to deal with her nervous episodes.”
“Oh, Bett, that’s so unfair. I’m so sorry this is happening to you. No wonder you didn’t respond to my letters.”
“Well, I shall stand for this no longer,” Bett said, taking a moment to read Olivia’s second letter. “I would very much like to go with you to visit Harrison Manor.”
“There’s someone there who will be very happy to see you,” Olivia said with a wink.
Before the women could discuss any further details, the door to the drawing room opened, and Peter walked in. He stopped short when he saw Olivia.
“Lady Armstrong, I had no idea you were visiting today,” he said before glaring at Bett.
“It’s Lady Robertson now, and I came to check on Lady Williams, as she didn’t answer either of my letters.”
Peter’s face paled.
Bett jumped to her feet, waving the letters in front of her. “How dare you keep my personal correspondence from me?”
“Do not speak to me in that manner. This is my home, and I shall do what I think is best.”
“What you think is best for whom?”
Peter stared at her, his face turning red with anger, but he didn’t respond to her question.
“Well, you should know, then, that I shall be leaving with Lady Robertson to visit an old friend who has recently experienced a family tragedy.”
“You cannot leave. I forbid it!”
Bett marched up to him, filled with outrage. “You forbid it?? My lord, you cannot forbid me from leaving Crenshaw Manor. I’m not a prisoner here. I’m a grown woman and have reached my majority. I don’t need your permission to go visit a friend. You are not my husband.”
Peter’s face turned even redder, and he stormed from the room without another word.
“Well, that didn’t go well. I think it would be best if we left as soon as possible,” Olivia said.
“Yes, I agree. Will you come upstairs with me while Lydia packs a trunk?”
“Of course. I won’t leave your side until we’re safely out of this house.”
Both women hurried up the stairs to Bett’s bedchamber, and she instructed Lydia to pack her trunk for an extended visit.
“Right away, my lady,” Lydia said.
“We can stay at an inn in Albury before we head back to Oxfordshire,” Olivia said.
“That sounds like a good plan. It’ll be dark soon, and I don’t relish traveling at night.”
