He did not answer, could not make his tongue form words. He sensed someone behind him and a dim part of his brain, he realized that the voice he was hearing was Harriet’s.
“The robin’s nest is still safe. I have been checking on it regularly. I found a starling’s nest the other day – I showed Phoebe and she was delighted.” His mind felt as though it were rusted gears grinding against each other. “She asked if we could go back to draw it once the eggs are hatched. It actually inspired her to learn a little more Latin which thrilled Mrs. Morton.”
He felt Harriet move closer to him. “I know it is not much, but I did not want to do anything too drastic until you returned. I think it has made the place feel rather different. In a good way, I hope.”
He saw her fingers touch the edge of his sister’s painting. It broke the spell around him, the waves of panic that threatened to drown him faded into cold, empty numbness. “What have you done?”
CHAPTER 15
“His Grace has returned.” Mr. Grimsby informed Harriet as she and Phoebe strode through the door.
Harriet felt as though she had missed a step, her heart thundering around her chest like a jackrabbit. She glanced at Phoebe who was holding her hand, feeling the tension in the girl’s fingers.
It made her whole body ache when she saw the way Phoebe reacted to the merest mention of her uncle. She squeezed Phoebe’s hand gently.
“Why not go and find Mrs. Morton for your afternoon lessons?” Phoebe gestured to one of the footmen to escort the girl to the schoolroom. “I think she has an arithmetic lesson planned with Cook.”
Phoebe’s eyes brightened though she chewed her lip and glanced around as though worried she might be in trouble. Harriet gave her an encouraging smile.
“Go on, or you will have to do a normal lesson as Cook will be preparing dinner.” Harriet gestured away from her.
She had convinced Cook to help Phoebe learn fractions through baking, not that it had taken much convincing. The woman had a bark that was far meaner than her bite and clearly adored Phoebe.
Harriet watched her go. “Where is Theo – the Duke?”
“His Grace is in the drawing room I believe.” Mr. Grimsby pointed at a door a short distance away.
Harriet was fairly certain her heart was about to beat its way out of her throat. She swallowed with difficulty as several million eels swam in her stomach.
I hope he likes the painting.
“Thank you Mr. Grimsby. You have been most helpful.” Harriet smiled at the butler, took a deep breath and walked towards the drawing room door.
Theodore stood in the room, facing away from her, staring at the painting on the wall. Harriet’s heart leapt, and she took a few steps forward.
“Theodore?”
He gave no sign that he could hear her, so she tried again. Still no answer. Several beads of sweat trickled down her neck, between her shoulder blades and lower. The room felt stuff, despite the open windows.
“It is good to see you.” Still no answer.
Words began to pour from Harriet’s mouth as she crept closer and closer to her husband. With each phrase that was greeted with stony silence, the writhing monster in her stomach grew stronger. She felt as though she would burst.
She was nearly level with Theodore now, her hand reaching towards his broad shoulder blades, planning to tap him and draw his attention back to her.
“What have you done?” The cold in Theodore’s voice hit Harriet with the force of a bullet.
She snapped her hand back, recoiling as though he were a snake. “Pardon me?”
Do not disappoint me.
The words blared to life in her head, like a horn sounding an alarm. The air around her solidified, every muscle tensed as something screamed at her to run.
“What were you thinking?” Theodore turned to face her slowly, his voice little more than a hiss. “Do you have any idea what you have done?”
She backed away, one hand going to her chest and the other reaching behind her to steady herself as she stumbled over the carpet. Confusion and shame washed over her as she took in his face.
His jaw was clenched so tightly she feared his teeth would break. His eyes were wild like the sea in storm. She could see dark circles beneath his eyes, but that made his anger even more palpable.
