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Slowly, he slipped out of bed so as not to wake her. He picked up the clothing scattered across the room and placed her chemise by her pillow so she could find it before her maid walked into the room. After pulling on his trousers, he crept to the door like a thief. He paused and glanced back at her once more before leaving the room.
Tonight, she would become his betrothed. His sisters would be ecstatic to learn that Elizabeth would be their new sister. Here in England, he would build his new life. And he would make certain he did whatever possible to ease the sufferings of the less fortunate. That way he would still be living up to his stepmother’s ideals, but he could do it with the power of his name and fortune.
A few hours later, he was finally rested and ready to face the day. After dressing, he left his room and crept to the door of Elizabeth’s bedroom. He peered inside and discovered she had already gone downstairs.
As he reached the bottom step, he stopped and asked the footman, “Have you seen Lady Elizabeth?”
“She left a few moments ago for Miss Reynard’s home, Your Grace.”
Damn. He wanted to find out how she was feeling. Perhaps she needed to talk with her friends. Hopefully, she wouldn’t tell them too much information. Keeping this a secret was necessary for her reputation.
“Your Grace,” the footman said as Will started toward the morning room.
“Yes, Kenneth?”
“A missive was delivered an hour ago. I left it on the desk in your study.”
A missive? Curiosity forced him to walk to the study. He found the note in the center of his desk and picked it up. He didn’t recognize the seal.
After breaking the seal, he opened the letter and read it. “No,” he whispered. “How could it be possible?”
I have made the most important decision of my life. I defied my father and refused to marry Josiah Harwood. I am in England and ready to be your wife. I shall call upon you later today.
With all my love,
Abigail
Chapter 23
“Perhaps we should go to Gunter’s for some ices,” Sophie suggested.
“Ices! How is that going to help?” Elizabeth said. Had Sophie completely lost her mind?
“We need to get you out of the house. And something is telling me we need to go to Gunter’s.” Sophie gave her a weak smile and a little shrug.
Elizabeth waved her hand around her. “I did get out of my house. I came to your home. And the last thing I want to do is go out for ices.”
Sophie tilted her head back and sighed. “You need to be in public. You need to see that just because you discovered who your father is makes no difference. No one else knows.”
“Now you sound like Will,” Eliz
abeth mumbled. After waking this morning alone, she had sat in her room and thought about her future.
“Good, I personally like the man. He has a sound mind and I think he loves you,” Sophie said in a soft tone.
“It matters not.” Elizabeth realized this morning that she would have to leave the house. Whether she loved Will or not, she could not stay. She wasn’t one of them any longer.
“Of course it matters. Assuming you love him,” Sophie drawled. “You do, don’t you?”
Exasperation crept up her skin. “Yes, I love him.”
“Good, then we are off to the booksellers.”
Elizabeth blinked and shook her head. “I thought you wanted ices?”
Sophie pursed her lips and shook her head. “I was wrong. I must look for a book.”
Never in all the years that Elizabeth had known Sophie had she seen her friend in such an odd mood. As much as she had no need to go to the booksellers, Elizabeth decided she had better accompany Sophie today. There was just no telling what her friend might do.
