AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I give greetings and my hope that this letter finds you in the best of health, and prior to your departure, as per our prior arrangement for this morning.
As you have likely surmised by the presence of this missive and the greeting previously given, I have been informed as to your name and identity. The business associates who interrupted our previous session happened to see the artwork and recognize the visage. I must confess a great deal of surprise, that a lady such as yourself should have volunteered for such a role.
But then, I have heard, along with disclosure of your identity, some rumors of your occupation, and your reputation among members of the peerage, so perhaps I can gather some of your motivations from these.
Regardless, for both our reputations, and other reasons of a more personal nature, I feel it best that we dispense forthwith with this ruse and our arrangement. The work has progressed far enough to be completed without your presence and, in any case, I should not like for further rumors to begin, regarding your intentions or mine own.
Indeed, even should I overlook circumstances and your, I suppose you thought it necessary, deception, I shall have little time for working in any case. Recent events have shown me the perils of my estrangement from London, and so I shall be presenting myself among the ton for the remainder of the Season. Considering the social engagements I have refused in the past, I suspect I shall have much to do for my own reputation and position, and no time for much else.
I wish you well. Perhaps we shall encounter each other at some event or another, and I shall make your proper acquaintance.
Regards,
Lord D. Thynne, Marquess of Salisbury
The letter slipped from numb fingers to fall upon the coverlet of her bed as Henrietta stared unseeing at her hands.
He knew. Daniel knew she had deceived him and what the purpose of her deception had been. And while the note seemed at first glance to be fairly impersonal and business-like, she knew him well enough to read between the lines and sense the deep anger that underlay every stroke of the quill, the hurt couched in pretty, unemotional words.
He was very angry with her, too angry to even allow her to come and plead her case. She had no doubt that, did she defy his missive and visit his estate, she would find the doors barred to her. Assuming he was even home.
He had said he was intending to reenter high society. For that purpose, he might well have come to the city, to a club if he patronized one, or to his family townhouse, or even to reside with his friend, Duke Merriweather.
And that alone was a mark of how deeply she had upset him, that he would forego his work and immerse himself in the Season in response. He had told her of his dislike of crowds, and the machinations and social maneuverings of the ton more than once. He had even mentioned it during their first session together. And she had seen for herself how uncomfortable he was at the Duchess of Merriweather’s masquerade ball.
Henrietta laid the letter aside and dressed with Sarah’s help, her fingers feeling numb and wooden as she prepared herself for the day. She did manage to tell Sarah that their original engagements had been canceled, and to let her family know she was staying in for the day, and also that she had a headache and would stay in her rooms for the morning to see if it would dissipate.
It was only when Sarah left to deliver her messages, promising to bring up a soothing tisane later, that she allowed herself to sink once more to the bed, and her tears to fall.
For all her good intentions, she was too late. Daniel knew, and she feared their relationship was shattered beyond any hope of mending.
And all she could do was pray for some opportunity to right her wrongs and berate herself for the folly of keeping her silence for as long as she had.
* * *
Daniel adjusted his cravat, looked in the mirror, and wished once more for Danvers’ expert assistance. He could manage the knots himself, but mornings like this were infinitely easier with a butler and manservant who could read one’s temper, and handle everything from helping with clothing to providing exactly the type of breakfast he was in the mood for.
It didn’t help that he’d passed a restless night, the worst in quite some time. Nightmares had haunted him at each attempt he made to find rest, and these had not been solely of his memories of the battlefield. Instead, those familiar foes had been mixed with new dreams, dreams in which he was the laughingstock of society, and countless faceless men mingled with endless numbers of Hetty lookalikes, all of them snickering and whispering with private jokes at his expense or confronted him outright with mocking words regarding his foolishness and gullibility.
A knock on his door startled him from his bleak thoughts, and he opened it to find Jackson on the other side. “I came to see if you might join me for breakfast.” Keen eyes searched his face. “It’ll be just the two of us. Patricia’s attending some morning ladies’ session or other.” Jackson’s expression suggested it was not entirely coincidence that his wife was out, and Daniel felt the tension in his shoulders ease the slightest bit.
Jackson had not even hesitated a moment when receiving his letter asking for lodgings for the night. He had merely sent back a letter containing his open invitation and bidding him come as soon as he might reasonably do so, writing that rooms would be made ready for him by the time he arrived.
Likewise, neither Jackson nor Patricia had pressed him on his obviously bleak mood, or his reasons for leaving his country home to come into town without warning. He had been made welcome, served a meal, and asked no questions, despite his unsociable demeanor, which would normally have been a breach of courtesy after having all but invited himself into their home.
He pulled his thoughts back to the present and managed a semblance of pleasantry. “I don’t suppose there’s any chance of coffee?” He needed the revitalizing qualities of the bitter brew.
“Always in this household. Since returning from the Continent, I’ve had need of it.” Jackson offered a faint smile. “I thought perhaps my personal dining chambers might be a bit more comfortable this morning.” Jackson gestured with a wave of his hand, and Daniel followed.
There was coffee, black, bitter, and more than welcome, and a selection of breakfast pastries and cold meats to partake of. Daniel took some, more out of courtesy than any true appetite, and he seated himself with Jackson. They dined in quiet companionship for some moments, and Daniel was just taking a second cup of coffee when Jackson ventured to break the silence. “I am always glad to see you, Daniel, but I confess I am curious as to your sudden decision to visit the city, and your purpose in bringing half your wardrobe with you.”
He had not been in any sort of humor for explanations the evening before, and he was in little better frame of mind now. But he did owe Jackson some answer. “I have come to the decision to reenter society as soon as may be possible.”
Jackson blinked, visibly startled. “I thought you were set on waiting until next Season.”
“So I was. Recent events have changed my thoughts on the matter.” He could not help the soft, bitter sound that escaped him. “I have been too much a recluse for my own good, it seems.”
“I cannot say I understand what you mean. I did not think the masquerade held so much interest for you, especially since you left so early.”
