She did not know what kept him there, but it had seemed important that morning, important enough to pull him away from her. He had not told her much, just its urgency. She tried to remember the letter that had caused his sudden departure but realized she had not even seen the address or handwriting.
It seemed that Nathaniel had intentionally hidden the letter from her, immediately turning away after breaking the seal and then folding it into his hand, away from her eyes.
Why would a man do that to his wife?
The image of Lady Mountingdon flashed again before her eyes. While her previous jealousy had been effectively banished by Nathaniel’s sensual attention, her suspicions resurfaced. Her body told her he wasn’t unfaithful, but her mind could think of no other explanation.
Cecily felt that if she tried to reconcile all of this now, her heart and her mind would both break. How could she protect Mary then?
No, she must be strong and act now.
“I can’t wait for Nathaniel, Mrs. Barnes. There is no time. I must find Mary.”
Rushing out of the room, she went in search of her sister.
* * *
“Mary!” Cecily exclaimed, finding her sister sitting outside at a table on the terrace.
Patrick was standing nearby, looking very smart in his new uniform. He reminded her of a male bird parading itself before a potential mate, and at another time, she might have laughed. But there was no laughter in her heart right now, unfortunately.
As their heads turned at her voice, she fought to compose herself. She must speak to Mary alone without raising Patrick’s suspicions.
“Cecily, guess what? Patrick is buying a house in London. He plans to live there when he is not with his regiment and?—”
“What a good idea, Patrick,” Cecily interrupted quickly, forcing a smile. “I look forward to seeing your new house. Mary, can I speak to you in private?”
“What, now?” Mary asked without enthusiasm, casting another admiring glance at Patrick. “We were just?—”
“It is a ladies’ matter,” Cecily cut in, raising an eyebrow meaningfully.
As she had hoped, this had the desired effect on Patrick, who cleared his throat, bowed to her, and swiftly left.
“Why? Are you with child already?” Mary asked conversationally, almost before Patrick was beyond earshot.
“No, I am not, but I had to speak to you alone,” Cecily answered, unable to keep the desperation entirely from her voice. “Read these. They are all from our uncle. We may not have much time.”
Laying the letters and pamphlet on the table in front of Mary, tucked under a jug against the wind, Cecily watched her read them and saw the shock and fear forming on her sister’s face.
“You won’t let them take me, will you, Cecily?” Mary asked faintly.
Cecily shook her head firmly, putting an arm around her sister’s shoulders.
“I can’t marry that old goat. I’ll throw myself in the lake first.”
“Never! Not even if we have to run away together.”
Mary gave a frightened, half-disbelieving little laugh. “But you can’t leave Nathaniel, surely.”
Cecily swallowed. The thought of being apart from Nathaniel was physically painful. No, she couldn’t leave him. She hoped it would not be necessary.
“I… I don’t know if I could leave Patrick,” Mary admitted then, before Cecily could answer, lowering her eyes as a tear rolled down her cheek. “Even though he is a fool and I hate him. Oh God, what will he think of me when he reads this? He will think me a harlot.”
“No man worthy of you would ever think less of you for reading these lies,” Cecily insisted with more confidence than she felt. “Anyway, of all men, Patrick will see the lies in this story. It will not change how he feels about you.”
“But he doesn’t want me anymore,” Mary bawled. “I have been so awful to him since our elopement. He will be glad to have another excuse to wash his hands of me.”
“Nonsense,” Cecily told her firmly, handing her a handkerchief. “Patrick is as much in love with you as ever. Why do you think he’s still here? Why do you think he’s joining the army and buying a house, Mary? It’s all for you. Anyone with eyes can see it.”
