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‘What did you tell her?’
Alan rubbed a hand around the back of his neck. ‘That I wasn’t sure what you felt for Blanche exactly, but that the pair of you were close and that you and Father were both on the roof when she fell.’
‘You told my wife that I was close to my stepmother?’ He felt appalled.
‘Something like that.’ Alan shuffled guiltily. ‘Then she worked out when it all happened and...well, she might have got the impression that you were still in love with Blanche when you married her.’
‘I was never in love with Blanche!’ Matthew heard himself roar. ‘Hell’s teeth, Alan, is this another kind of revenge?’
‘No! I promise it was nothing like that, but she said that you wouldn’t talk about it and I thought that if you couldn’t then maybe somebody ought to. Only it came out badly. I’m sorry.’
‘I have to get back to Wintercott.’ Matthew was already halfway into his saddle.
‘Wait!’ Alan grabbed hold of his bridle to stop him. ‘What about me and Adelaide? What should we do?’
‘Nothing! At least for now. We’ll talk later.’ Matthew dug his spurs into his horse’s flanks, eager to be away. Alan and Adelaide and whatever was going on between them would have to wait. Right now, he needed to speak to his wife.
Chapter Seventeen
‘Lady Adelaide?’
Constance stood in the doorway of the solar, uncertain about whether or not to enter. She’d woken up with a dry mouth and pounding headache, only to find that Matthew was nowhere to be seen—again. Which meant that her tour of the castle was obviously delayed—again—and she had nothing to do—again. None the less, she’d had absolutely no intention of sitting around waiting and she certainly hadn’t wanted to spend another moment alone in their chamber, thinking. Her sleep had been troubled enough, plagued with nightmarish visions of towers and falling, but she was afraid that if she stayed on her own then the images would start to invade her waking thoughts, too.
She’d pulled her favourite green gown back on and then made her way to the solar, regretting whatever misguided impulse had made her agree to their staying in Wintercott even a minute longer than necessary. Now that they were staying, however, she’d decided to make some effort to speak with her new stepmother-in-law. Admittedly, Adelaide hadn’t displayed even the slightest interest in talking to her, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t try. After what Alan had told her, it was hard not to feel sympathy for the woman, no matter how uneasy she made her feel.
‘May I join you?’ She took a few steps into the room, poised to retreat again, but to her surprise, Adelaide actually looked up from her embroidery and nodded.
‘Thank you.’ Constance took a seat opposite. ‘Can I help? I always enjoyed sewing with my aunt. My stitches were never quite as neat as hers, but she said I wasn’t her worst pupil.’
She attempted a laugh, though Adelaide didn’t reciprocate, dipping a hand into a basket at her feet and passing her a sleeve instead.
‘The seam needs mending.’ Her voice was quiet as a whisper, but at least it was progress, Constance thought optimistically. It was the first time she’d heard her say anything at all.
‘I’ll do my best.’ She took up a needle and thread and turned her attention to the sleeve, trying to make her stitches look as inconspicuous as possible while her companion continued to sew in silence.
‘It looks fair again today.’ Constance gestured towards the window after a few industrious minutes, making a token attempt at conversation. There was a sliver of blue sky outside, as if the sun were doing its best to make an appearance.
‘Yes.’ Adelaide didn’t so much as glance up from her sewing.
‘Hopefully it’ll stay dry for a while.’
‘Yes.’
‘You have a beautiful home.’
‘Yes.’
Constance inadvertently stabbed her finger with her needle, wondering if she were ever going to get a different response. Perhaps if she asked a more open-ended question?
‘Are you from around here?’
There was a momentary pause. ‘Blythorpe.’
‘Oh, I know Blythorpe.’ She smiled, pleased to find something in common to talk about. ‘It’s east of Lincoln, isn’t it?’
‘Yes.’
‘But still close enough to visit your family, I should think?’
