Page 61 of Lord Hartwell’s Refuge

He paced away from the desk, away from her, hands tucked behind his back. “I see.”

The easy agreement irritated her more than disagreement would have. “I am going because Henry wants something none of them understand.”

Roman glanced at the letter on the desk. “And you will understand where they do not?”

Tamsin hesitated. “I…I have no way of knowing that.”

His expression answered before he did. “Exactly.”

What an exasperating man. She gripped her hands together in her lap. “And that lack of knowledge is why I mean to go.”

For several seconds they regarded one another across the desk. Then Roman nodded. “Very well.”

The capitulation came so readily that Tamsin felt faintly foolish for having braced herself against him. She picked up the pen. Most unexpected. She hardly knew what to say. “I will be home before the dinner hour?”

Even to her ears, it sounded like a question.

Roman stepped near the desk again. “I hope your visitors today enjoy your company.”

“Thank you. I do, too.”

He bent and kissed the top of her head, an absent touch that warmed her despite everything. “I have correspondence to finish, and will have need of the carriage before you.” He patted his thigh and called Athena. She rose and padded up to him, tail wagging.

“Micklegate business?”

A slight smirk bent his lips. “When is it anything else?”

There was enough awareness in the answer to make her smile as he returned to his study.

Tamsin finished her note just before her mother-in-law joined her to greet their first visitor.

The visits themselves were quite pleasant. Most brought a small gift for her household, such as tea or books for household management. A few brought flowers from hot houses or fruits and nuts from family orchards, as was appropriate for calling upon a bride. It was arguably a peaceful afternoon, but by the end of it she was quite tired. When the last guest left, she rose and said to one of the footmen, “See to it that the carriage is ordered for my visit to Sycamore Lodge. I will be ready in half an hour.”

That would give her time to change clothing and take some headache powder.

“Oh dear.” Frances rose, with Princessa immediately jumping from the couch beside her. “Is something the matter? I did not know you had a visit to your family planned today.”

“It is nothing,” Tamsin said quickly. “I already spoke to Roman about it, and will be home before dinner.” She gave her mother-in-law a reassuring smile. “One of my little brothers needs me, is all.”

The Dowager Baroness nodded her understanding, though her brows drew together. “Of course, my dear. You are a most dutiful sister. I myself always have a nap after my guests leave—I enjoy the visits, but it does wear a little on one’s mind.”

“I think I will adopt that practice as well. Next time.” Tamsin laughed softly as she led the way from the room to the stairs. “I cannot say I have often had the opportunity to nap, but it does sound like the perfect luxury on a day like today.” Especially when her head ached.

It ached all the more a short while later.

Not only was there no nap, but the carriage was not ready either. A quarter of an hour into dressing her mistress, Eliza answered a knock at the door. The maid returned to Tamsin’s dressing room appearing apologetic. “His lordship left word that you were to wait before going out, my lady. The carriage is not here.”

Tamsin lowered her hands instead of buttoning her spencer. “Why?”

“I do not know, my lady.”

That was strange. Roman had never countermanded an instruction she gave to the servants. Indeed, he had been quite firm from the beginning that her authority within the house was to be treated exactly as his own. She removed the spencer. “Where is Lord Hartwell?”

“I believe he is out with the carriage at present.”

Still? “Did he leave word as to where he went?”

“Not that I am aware, my lady.”