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If only everyone else got the message.
They got to the gates of the common just as they heard the church clock across the street chime two. Taking a moment to catch her breath, Eleanor scanned the few people in the park limits. There was no sign of Lady Chapman anywhere. Either she was going to be fashionably late or she was waiting further in the park - or she could have left, even though it had only just reached the time she requested to meet.
The woman was certainly unpredictable, and irritating. Eleanor would be glad not to interact with her again.
“I don’t like this.” Marion was frowning at their surroundings. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
“I thought you were meant to be the optimistic one,” Eleanor teased.
“I can’t stop the nagging feeling that something’s wrong.” Marion rubbed at her belly. “I can feel it here.”
Eleanor could feel it, too. She wasn’t one to throw herself into something with abandon, but while she was concerned that something was up, she was also worried about Lady Chapman. What if she was in trouble and she needed Eleanor’s help? Why she would ask Eleanor, she had no idea, but Eleanor knew she wouldn’t be able to settle until she knew exactly what was going on.
“It won’t be too long.” Eleanor squeezed Marion’s hand as they went through the gates. “We can just have a walk around the common while we look for her and then we can go home.”
“As long as we do it at a more sedately pace.” Marion grimaced. “I’m worn out after all that running.”
“That wasn’t running, that was a brisk walk.”
“If you think that was a brisk walk, you’re mad.” Marion rolled her eyes. “Then again, you are mad. You walk so quickly I’m surprised that you don’t fall over. I bet you would go for a run around the park if it weren’t for your skirts.”
Eleanor laughed.
They headed down the path. A man and a woman were walking the other way with two children about ten years old. They gave Eleanor and Marion a pleasant nod of greeting, the children practically beaming. The sight of this family going on a walk together made Eleanor’s chest tighten. It was something she had longed for. A family with children, where they could do anything together. Going for walks, visiting places, going on holidays. Eleanor would love to explore the rest of the country. She had only been to the outer limits of London, maybe a small holiday when she was eight on the south coast. But that was it. She was looking forward to going around the country and seeing what it was like. Hopefully, Nathan would be agreeable to that. If he stayed. If he went back to France, it wouldn’t be the same. Eleanor wouldn’t be able to find any enjoyment if Nathan wasn’t there.
He’s not going to stay after you’re married. As soon as you’re with child, he’s gone. Then you’ll just have to pray that this war finishes quickly and then he can come back.
Until next time.
It wasn’t a way to live, but Eleanor knew she would be able to suck it up and manage. Nathan was a good man and a good soldier. He would always come home, especially now he had someone to come home to.
That was what Eleanor hoped for. She didn’t want to disappoint him.
“What if this is a ruse?” Marion asked. “What if we were drawn out here?”
“For what reason would she do that? And draw us out for what?”
“I don’t know, but it feels suspicious.” Marion shook her head with a frown. “I know you think the same way. The last time we saw her, Lady Chapman came to the house for a confrontation. Why meet out here?”
“Because she’s not permitted in the house, remember? And it’s more than likely she’ll ask me not to marry Nathan again. She’s probably thinking doing it in a public area will embarrass me into agreeing to it.”
“And embarrass herself while she’s at it? That does seem far-fetched.”
“I agree, but she’s requested me here and I might as well see what’s going on. Otherwise, I’m going to get inundated with letters.” Eleanor pointed off to the right where the path forked. “Let’s go that way. I can’t see her here.”
That way they could go for a loop around the common and come back to where they started. If they didn’t see Lady Chapman, they would go home. That way they got a walk in before heading back. It meant cutting it close for meeting Nathan, but at least it would be out of the way. Eleanor just wanted it done with.
Stepping through a small copse of trees, they came upon an open clearing that had a small pond, a stone bench beside it and a canopy of branches blocking out the sun. Some of the sunlight shone through the leaves, and it cast a green glow on the ground. Eleanor often stopped here, and she and Marion had spent hours here as young girls. There was so much you could do with this area.
Lady Chapman was there, sitting on the stone bench. She was fidgeting with her cane, tapping it erratically on the ground. Even across the clearing she looked nervous. Very nervous. Not like the last time they had seen each other.
That put Eleanor on the alert. Was something wrong? Was Lady Chapman in fear of someone? Could that be the reason she wanted to meet? Whatever it was, a knot formed in Eleanor’s belly. She touched Marion’s arm.
“Get ready to run if necessary.”
“I thought you said she wasn’t going to hurt us.”
“I’m beginning to change my mind,” Eleanor murmured. “I’m not getting too close, but I’m going to find out what she wants. Just make sure the way is clear, all right?”
