“Wish your bride safe travels for me.” Endicott glanced around. “How would you like to find some other fellows for a game of whist?”
“Only one or two hands. I have to be up early tomorrow.”
* * *
It was after eleven o’clock that evening when Geoff opened the door to his bedchamber, praying Elizabeth was there. Instead, a large, empty bed greeted him. Damn. He knew he should have gone to her no matter what her maid and his mother had said.
Nettle appeared from the dressing room. “Her ladyship is in her own chamber.”
“How is she doing?” Geoff sat on the bed while his valet removed his boots.
“Your mother and the dowager visited with her for a time. After that she finished the preparations for tomorrow, then she read. When you did not return to dine, she ate alone.” He could hear the rebuke in Nettle’s tone. “You did not send word that you would be dining out.”
Devil take it! Geoff had forgotten to write a note and send it.
No matter how aggravated he’d been at being shut out of her chamber, he should have been here for her. His first challenge as a husband and he had failed. Now, in addition to being overwhelmed, she’d probably be angry with him for not dining with her. What other reason could there be for her not being in his bed?
He vowed to do whatever was necessary to find a way to make whatever it was up to her. Perhaps the journey to Harwich would give him an opportunity to get back in Elizabeth’s good graces. Surely it couldn’t be that hard. They had been getting along so well.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The following morning, Geoff woke before dawn. He hadn’t slept well without Elizabeth next to him. Even the fact that they were finally leaving for Belgium didn’t make him as happy as it should have.
He waited until Nettle had set out his shaving kit before rising. Once he was dressed he went into the apartment’s dining room to find Elizabeth with an empty plate in front of her drinking a cup of tea.
“Good morning.” He kissed her cheek, hoping it would turn into more than that.
“Good morning.” The smile she gave him didn’t touch her eyes. He really was in trouble with her. “Would you like a cup of tea? It is still hot.”
“Please.” Plates of ham and roast beef had been set on the table along with toast. “I take it you are ready to depart?”
“As soon as you are.” Geoff suppressed a shiver. Her tone was so full of ice it rivaled Lady Mary’s.
Her mood made the temperature in the room feel more like March than June. She poured him a cup of tea adding only one lump of sugar and too much milk. He kept his grimace to himself.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked, taking the cup.
“I shall survive.” She broke a piece of toast in half and took a bite.
Not knowing what else to do or say, Geoff applied himself to his breakfast. He had intended to travel in the coach with her, but perhaps he’d be better off riding his horse instead. Maybe time without him would help her forgive him.
A few minutes later, she rose from the table. “I must see to the disposition of the servants.”
Servants? When he’d left yesterday they were taking two personal servants, two grooms, two coachmen, and a butler. Were there more? When had that happened?
He glopped the rest of his food, and hurried after her. He arrived in the hall as she was bustled through the front door. Lengthening his stride, he followed.
Two traveling coaches piled high with trunks stood in the street. In addition to the servants he knew were joining them, two additional females were getting into the carriage assisted by two footmen. One footman climbed up to sit with William Coachman after the housekeeper and maid were settled. The other went to stand by Elizabeth’s carriage.
She called to the coachman, “We’ll see you at luncheon.”
“Yes, my lady.” The carriage took off at a smart pace down the street.
“My lady?” Geoff said.
Elizabeth turned to look at him, then, in an excruciating polite voice, replied, “Yes, my lord?”
A groom he didn’t recognize and her dresser were standing by. Damn, he didn’t want to talk to her in front of the servants. He held out his arm. “Will you come with me, please?”
