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Chapter 14
Laura didn’t know why she had a bad feeling about the woman who spoke at the table, but she did. From what Edward told her, the lady’s name was Anna Rutley. She was a beautiful woman, that much Laura knew, but there was something in her character that gave Laura pause. She assumed that Edward intended to marry the woman, which Laura decided not to be upset about. Whatever feelings she had for him needed to be disregarded. She was a member of his staff, and that was all.
But Laura couldn’t help thinking of him constantly. When she entered the study to bring him and his friend tea, she felt Edward’s eyes upon her. For the first time, this occurrence did not make her nervous in the slightest but rather at ease. Yes, she felt comfortable under his gaze. Happy, even. Why was it that she had only known Edward for a short period but already felt as though she’d known him all her life? Laura was an orphan of sorts, and Edward felt like her new family.
Or potentially, she had lost her mind entirely. Why should she think such thoughts? To amend the situation, Laura exited the dining hall and was more determined than ever to focus on her work. In the kitchen, she helped prepare more tea, dispense more sandwiches, and frost more cakes, but the last thing that she was going to do was return to that dining hall and look at Edward’s future bride.
Even though she didn’t care for Anna in the slightest, what was odder was that Laura wished for Edward’s happiness. If that were the woman that he was to wed, Laura would be glad to see him in wedded bliss, growing a family, expanding the estate. How was it that she wished for the happiness of someone she knew so little about?
Ermengarde approached. “Laura, you have done well.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Why don’t you help Frederick in the garden before we prepare for supper?”
“That would be lovely, thank you.”
Laura could feel Ermengarde’s respect for her. At that point, Ermengarde knew what Laura’s favourite duties were and sent her to the garden often. It brought Laura much joy and was a needed respite from the thoughts in her mind. Outside, the sky was slightly overcast, but this did not dim Laura’s happiness upon seeing Frederick trimming a hedge.
“I have been sent to help you,” Laura said as she approached.
Frederick looked up and smiled. “I’ll put you to work. But first, you must sit on that bench.” He pointed to it.
Laura smiled and seated herself. By ‘putting her to work,’ Frederick implied that he’d have her listen to more of his stories. As he began to speak of the king of Germany once more, Laura tilted her head in satisfaction. Still, thoughts of Edward wouldn’t leave her mind, and Laura wondered if they ever would.
“Frederick, have you ever been in love?” Laura felt her cheeks instantly flush. Had her question stopped him mid-sentence when speaking about the German king’s teeth?
Frederick smiled knowingly. “We’ve all been in love, at least once.”
“What was it like?”
“It was horrible.”
“You’re lying!”
“I’m telling the truth. It was a disaster.”
“Why is that?”
Frederick put down his pruning shears and turned contemplative. “She worked for the German king.” Laura wasn’t surprised by that. “And she was a much older woman. Fifteen years my senior.”
“That is uncommon.”
“But how I loved her.” Frederick looked off into the distance dreamily. “She was the most beautiful woman I ever beheld. I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with her.”
“And what happened?” Laura leaned forward on the bench.
“I did a stupid thing.”
“What?”
“I ran away in fear. I was uncertain what the future would hold, even though I wanted her to be my future more than words could express.”
“Frederick, that’s horrible.”
“No one knows that more than I do. I still think of her every day and how I must have hurt her. I don’t know what I was thinking at the time. Life is quite strange in that way. One sometimes does not comprehend their own choices.”
Laura knitted her brow. She felt a raindrop fall on her head. Frederick’s story was baffling. He turned down the woman that he loved out of fear. Laura couldn’t understand why the story was so moving to her. Just then, Laura heard the crunch of boots in the grass, and her heart took a leap. Was it Edward? Laura turned breathlessly to discover the master’s friend.
