Page 96 of The Redemption of the Shrew

“The woman was one of his servants.” After a begrudging sort of pause, he added, “Turner told me.”

He had no reason to doubt the valet, so at least there was some corroboration for her story. Why did he seem so bent on blaming her? Had he changed his mind about marrying her?

She contemplated this ghastly possibility as they approached Islington. After more horrid silence, Philippe said, “You had your pistol with you. Is that how you knocked him out?”

“Yes, it was in my reticule.”

“I thank le bon Dieu for that,” he said.

“I would have shot him if he had tried to assault me, but he did not. He—he said he was saving that for later.”

Philippe cursed and once again urged the tired gelding into a canter. Soon they were in Islington. “We will stay with Sophie tonight.”

We, he’d said. Should she be encouraged by that one short word? “Very well, but I must send a message to Elspeth. She will be so worried!”

“Morning is only a few hours away. I shall send Sophie’s footman as soon as it is light.”

She thanked him. “Stop at the school, if you please. I have a change of clothing and a nightdress there.”

Silence.

“In case of inclement weather.”

“I see.”

Good Lord, did he suspect her of trysting with Mr. Alexander? Indignation did its best to surge within her, but she was too tired—and most likely reading absurdities into his silence because she didn’t know what it meant.

He reined in at the school. Mr. Alexander had thoughtfully left a lantern burning just inside the door. She handed Philippe the greatcoat and slid carefully to the ground. Her legs wobbled, but she managed to stay upright. He dismounted as well, waiting as she dug in her reticule for her key.

“If you like, you may stable your horse with ours,” she said. “To avoid causing talk at the Angel.”

He thanked her—they were being extremely polite to one another, which unnerved her—and she detached the stable key from her ring and handed it to him. She unlocked the door, picked up the lantern, and went slowly up to her office. She found the valise with her clothing and was about to leave, when she turned and took one of her old sketchbooks off the shelf. Sketching might calm her down and comfort her.

Or it might not. She felt singularly comfortless tonight. When she emerged from the school, Philippe was waiting.

Silently still, he took her valise and escorted her to Sophie’s door, but before he got his key into the lock, Sophie had opened it. She put her arms around Gloriana and hugged her hard.

Friendship is much, much easier than love. That sounded like a good dictum. No wonder the Warren family had given up on love—for ecstasy and pain were not far removed from one another.

“Go to the stable, but do not take too long,” Sophie told her brother and shut the door on him. “Ma pauvre, let us go upstairs. I shall ring for the footman to bring up the bath, and—”

“I don’t need a bath.” Gloriana set her sketchbook down on the table by the door. “All I want is to sleep.”

“Très bien, we shall prepare you for bed.” Sophie led the way to Philippe’s chamber. This should be encouraging, for if anyone knew her brother’s moods, Sophie did.

But most likely not when it came to love. She shivered.

The room was gloriously warm, but when one’s heart is turned to ice, no fire will thaw it. This might or might not be true, but it would make an impressive dictum. One of these days, she would write them all down, with illustrations to match.

Sophie guided her to a chair by the fire. “I have already brought water to wash with—at least your face and hands.”

“And my muddy feet.” Gloriana peeled off her wet slippers and silken hose. “They’re wet and aching. Sophie . . .”

“Oui, chérie?” Sophie set a basin of water on the carpet. “Rest them in there.” She passed Gloriana a warm cloth. “What is wrong?”

Gloriana washed her face and hands. “Philippe is angry with me, and I understand why, although it wasn’t my fault, not really. Hythwick tricked me.” She passed the cloth to Sophie, who exchanged it for a dry one.

“Did you tell Philippe so?” Sophie asked.