“You are maddening and stubborn,” he admitted. “But yes, I do consider you a friend.”
Elsbeth allowed herself to smile. “I feel the same.”
“Good,” he said with a small nod. “Then as your friend, I insist that you rest.”
Before she could respond, the front door swung open, and Eugenie and Charles entered, their voices carrying throughthe hall. Elsbeth immediately withdrew her hand, stepping back, but not before noticing the curious glance Eugenie shot her.
Eugenie smiled, breaking the tension. “We should head back, Niles. If we leave now, I’ll have time for a quick nap before supper.”
Niles chuckled. “My sister does love her naps.”
Not quite ready to part ways, Elsbeth spoke up. “Would you care to join us for dinner this evening?”
Niles’s answer came quickly. “Yes.”
Eugenie laughed. “Well, I suppose we’ll be seeing you later tonight.”
“Please bring Lady Margaret, assuming she’s feeling up to it,” Elsbeth added.
Niles offered her a parting glance before escorting Eugenie to their awaiting carriage. Once the door closed, Charles approached Elsbeth, his expression filled with remorse.
“Again, Cousin, I’m so sorry,” he said earnestly.
“It’s forgotten,” Elsbeth replied, though her tone was clipped.
Charles hesitated, as if wanting to say more, but eventually nodded. “Very well. Excuse me.”
Elsbeth watched him walk away, doubt creeping into her thoughts. He seemed sincere, but could it all be an act? No. Charles loved her. He was willing to marry her to secure her future. Why would he now try to harm her?
Shaking off the unsettling thoughts, Elsbeth made her way upstairs to her bedchamber. Opening the door, she found Clara tidying up. The lady’s maid looked up with a smile. “Good, you’re back.”
Clara approached her, holding up a small brass key. “I was able to get the key to your stepfather’s desk.”
Elsbeth’s eyes widened. “How did you manage that?”
A faint blush crept up Clara’s cheeks. “I spoke to Thomas,the valet. When I explained your concerns, he assured me Mr. Stockton is hiding nothing. He gave me the key to prove it.”
Elsbeth accepted the key and gripped it tightly. “Thank you, Clara. This means everything to me.”
“But it won’t be as easy as you think,” Clara warned. “You’ll need to sneak into the study without anyone seeing.”
Elsbeth nodded determinedly. “I’ll think of something.”
Clara grinned. “Since I managed to retrieve the key, could I possibly take tomorrow afternoon off?”
“That’s fair,” Elsbeth agreed.
Before Elsbeth could utter another word, the door swung open, and her mother entered, her face etched with concern. “Oh, Elsbeth, are you all right?” she exclaimed, her voice trembling. “Charles told me what happened.”
Elsbeth straightened, discreetly tucking the small key into the folds of her gown. “I’m fine, Mother,” she assured her.
Her mother crossed the room in swift strides and enveloped her in a tight embrace. “My poor child,” she murmured. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”
Elsbeth felt the warmth of her mother’s arms and returned the embrace. “I’m perfectly well,” she said softly, hoping to alleviate her mother’s fears.
After a lingering moment, her mother pulled back, carefully studying Elsbeth. “No more pheasant hunting,” she declared.
Elsbeth managed a weak smile. “I’m not going to argue with that.”
