“Perhaps this Christmas?”Pru pushed.
Fidelia straightened in her seat and took a sip of tea.“I’ll discuss that with the Earl.”
No longer willing to push the subject, Pru nodded.She couldn’t help noticing how formally Fidelia referred to her husband, and it wasn’t just the usage of the title, it was her whole demeanor.
A few more bites were taken in silence, the petit fours no longer tasting as delectable as before.
Even though Soren seemed willing to endure an endless wait, Pru needed answers.“For how long do you think the Earl will be indisposed?”
But Fidelia didn’t answer the question directly.“Shall we go for a walk while we wait?”
The suggestion wasn’t half bad.The weather looked promising.Her legs needed some exercise after the carriage ride.And movement of any kind would be a reprieve from the tension of sitting in the parlor.
“Yes.That’s a splendid idea.”
Only, it wasn’t.
Chapter 17
Soren
“Thiswalkhasbeena wonderful suggestion, Fidelia,” Pru beamed at her sister as they meandered down a path, tall grass on either side of them.Soren could see Fidelia’s walls had softened since being outdoors, which gave him hope considering the only version he had seen of her had been a hard yet fragile shell of a person.He hadn’t meant to confess that he was here to request permission to court Pru, but now that he’s spoken it aloud, it felt oddly right.
“No tour is complete without popping into the stables,” Fidelia actually smiled as she said it, her arms swinging at her sides.And Soren could almost picture the real woman that must be cowering inside.
Approaching the stables, Soren’s excitement grew.This could be his chance to see Night Sky up close.And with a bit more patience, he might even be able to discuss some options with Bart.
It was like they had all agreed to enter the stables silently, in reverence of the horses.
But it only took a few steps in for Soren to realize something was horribly wrong.“We should go back inside,” he suggested.
“Oh no,” Fidelia smiled weakly, “Night Sky is just over here.”
“Fidelia, wait.”But it was too late.And before he could think to stop the second one, Pru dashed past him toward her sister.
The groans grew louder.A loud thump was heard.All eyes turned to him, and he futilely wished that he could turn back the hands of time.
A deep guttural moan filled the stables causing Soren to shudder.Watching in helpless disgust, Fidelia rounded the corner and gasped.Pru was directly behind her.
“Get.Out.”A deep voice echoed off the walls.“Or.Watch.Me.Take.Her.” His words were broken apart by grunts and the slapping sound of two bodies.
An unfamiliar woman’s voice rang out in pleasure.A scream.
Soren had never been so horrified.It was one thing for a man to have a discreet affair, not that he approved of such behavior in a married man, knowing what it had done to his own family.But it was entirely despicable—loathesome—for a man to brazenly shove it in his wife’s face.
As if in a trance, Fidelia backed away from the scene while Pru feebly offered a protective hand on her back.
Strolling by him as though passing him in Hyde Park, Fidelia spoke flatly, “As I said, he’s indisposed.”
But her voice carried too far and only half a minute later, a half clad, half sane man hoofed it around the corner.Shuffling sounds and the padding of feet indicated the counterpart had escaped the building using another exit.
“Indisposed?”His one word question was annoyingly calm, despite being slightly short of breath.
Fidelia flinched.
He saw it.He’d never forget it, and he doubted Pru would either.It had been the smallest reaction in her eyes, her fingers, and the tiniest recoil.But he’d seen it.And that was enough.
“Is that what you’re telling people?”Bart’s smooth voice grated on Soren’s every nerve.“That’s what you’re telling our esteemed guests?”
