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“Yes, I should like that very much as well,” Frederick replied.
Henry huffed and then dropped his hand onto Frederick’s shoulder once more. He cringed under the weight of Henry’s hand, and he released the hold he had on Eleanor. “Thank you for accepting my apology. I will take my leave now.” Frederick stood and the Dowager Countess rose with him.
“Frederick, I’m so proud of you,” Eleanor’s mother blubbered, rubbing her eyes with her handkerchief. Henry felt a wave of disgust roll through him.
Once her favorite, always her favorite.
Henry looked to see how Eleanor was impacted by her mother’s words, but she seemed untouched. She smiled lovingly at both her mother and brother. Henry motioned for Frederick and the Dowager Countess to leave the room then, and as soon as the door was closed behind them, he leaned heavily against it.
“Exactly who do you think is going to barge in here next?” Eleanor asked, lifting her eyebrow at him.
Henry shrugged, but before moving away from the door, he locked it. “You never can tell.”
“You don’t believe Frederick’s story? You don’t think he was innocent of Rosalin’s plan?” Eleanor asked calmly.
Henry crossed the room and came to her bedside. “I’m surprised you do.”
Eleanor sighed deeply. “I choose to believe Frederick because I know, inside him somewhere, there is a sense of goodness.”
Henry’s mouth dropped open in disbelief. “You cannot be serious, Eleanor. The man has always treated you as though you were mud to be scrubbed from the heels of his boots.”
Eleanor gave Henry an amused look. “Frederick has never been kind to me, that much is true. But I know he’s not as horrible as he seems.” Her fingers floated to an empty space at her side. “After all, he allowed my pets to live with us for years.”
Henry was overcome by a feeling of guilt. He stood at once and strode to the door. He unlocked it and called down the hall for assistance. Eleanor’s lady’s maid appeared at once. “Yes, Your Grace?” she asked.
“Please see to Her Grace. I have… something important… I need to do.” Henry rushed from Eleanor’s room then straight to the bedchambers occupied by his grandmother. He hammered on her door, but there was no answer.
Where can she be? Of course!
Henry ran down the hall, and he nearly flew as he descended the stairs at record speed. He raced out the back door and went crashing through the gardens. And there, just as Henry suspected, was his grandmother. She was wearing an older white cotton dress and apron. In one hand, she carried a pair of pruning shears. In the other, she held one perfect white rose.
“Grandmother,” Henry said, panting breathlessly. “We need to talk.”
“What is it?” The Dowager Duchess snapped sharply, but then she glanced up to see the pained look on Henry’s face. “What is it?” she repeated, this time her tone softer, gentler.
“I love Eleanor. I want to see her happy. I think, if you will permit, I can bring back a few of her cats and that might be…” Henry allowed his words to trail off as his grandmother shook her head despondently.
“Henry, Henry, Henry…” his grandmother said carefully, “I know you love that lady. And if it would make her happy, then you should go get her cats.”
“Thank you, Grandmother,” Henry said. He turned away at once, heading toward the stables so he might get his horse and ride out to the place where he and Eleanor had last been with her cherished pets.
“Oh, and Henry…” the Dowager Duchess called over her shoulder.
He stopped and turned back toward her. “Yes, Grandmother?”
“If you’re going to bring home Eleanor’s pets, do see that you get that one she calls Lady Lovely Paws. She’s my favorite.”
Henry chuckled to himself and then he set out to bring Eleanor the very best present he could imagine.
