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Simon shrugged. “I remember when we used to play together before I became such a nuisance to you.”
The memory of him teaching her to ride again flashed through her memory. She hung her head. “Was I always so very snippy when I got older?”
“Not always. Sometimes you were pleasant,” he said, immediately looking guilty. “That is—”
“No,” Ellen said, holding up her hand. “I would prefer honesty between us. You think me an awful shrew, I suppose?”
Simon’s face fell, but then a mischievous grin crossed his face. “Perhaps a little.”
She nodded, his words cutting her to the quick. However, he did not allow her to speak, for he sat up and reached for her hand. “Shrew is too harsh a word. Perhaps you are just a little serious, that is all.”
She looked up at him, and the combination of him holding her hand and the genuine care in his eyes made her think she had been wrong about him all this time. She pulled her hand free, unable to deal with the onslaught of emotions. “I think you are being generous.”
He was about to go on, but a gentle knock sounded at the door, and his valet opened it. Two maids appeared with silver trays, one for the food and one for the tea and coffee. They set the trays on the short table before the settee.
“Will there be anything else, my lord?” his valet asked from the door. The maids scurried back out.
“No, thank you, that will be all,” Simon replied. The valet quickly shut the door, and Ellen’s stomach growled with all the wonderful scents floating to her from under the silver tray lids.
“It smells wonderful,” she said. She had not realised how hungry she was until now. She had not been able to stomach much of the fare served at the wedding breakfast or the plethora of hors d’oeuvres served throughout the afternoon and evening. She had simply been too nervous and upset.
Now, however, she eyed the plate covers with greed. “May I?” she asked, leaning forward to take one of the covers off.
“Of course. Please, help yourself,” he replied. “I think you will find that we have the most wonderful cook in all the county.”
She took up the one nearest her and gave a gasp of delight. “What are these?” she asked, lightly touching the golden brown surface of a little half-moon-shaped delicacy.
“Those are what the French call croissants. And they are the most delicious things you have ever tasted, I assure you. Our cook travelled to France last year to see a cousin, and she brought back these little beauties.” Simon leaned forward, urging her to take one. “Here, a plate. They can get quite messy.” He handed her a plate and placed one of the croissants on it.
Ellen picked it up and took a bite of the flaky bun. Her mouth instantly began to water with the delightful flavour of butter and soft, warm bread. “This is wonderful,” she said after she had swallowed.
He took one for himself and took a large bite, settling back against the settee. “Yes, it is,” he replied, eyes closed as he enjoyed his morsel of heaven. Ellen took another bite and realised she should probably be the one to pour the tea and coffee.
She put her plate down and stood, walking around to the other side of the table closer to Simon. She knelt on the rug and motioned to the silver coffee pot. “You said you wanted coffee?” She took a cup and poured him one. “Do you take cream and sugar?”
Simon sat up, looking pleased and confused all at the same time. “A little of both, please.”
She nodded and began to pour the cream. “I did not think that drinking coffee was very popular here. I always take tea in the morning.”
“When I travelled to America with my father a few years ago, they introduced me to coffee. I do not always drink it in the morning, but I needed something stronger than tea after yesterday.
Ellen finished putting in the cream and sugar and handed it to him. “Yes, well, I suppose it was trying for both of us.” She let out a breath, pausing before she went on. “I am sorry for last night. I did not mean to suggest that you would—force yourself on me. I—I was wrong,” she said.
He studied her for a moment and then nodded. “All is forgiven, Ellen. And you are right. I would never force you to do anything.” He took a sip of his coffee. He looked up at her with appreciation. “That is very good. You can make my morning coffee all the time if it is going to taste like that.”
She smiled under his praise. However, he rose in the next instant, downing the steaming cup of coffee in one swig. He set it down on the table and then headed toward the screen. “I think I shall leave you in peace to enjoy your breakfast,” he said, nodding toward the heaping plate.
He then changed, and Ellen went back to sit down, feeling a little disappointed that he was leaving, especially with this being her first day in her new home. She nibbled at the croissant as he dressed, trying to make sense of the emotions roiling inside her. She should have been happy that he was leaving, should she not? However, she felt a mild sense of abandonment.
When he had dressed, he came out and stood at the edge of the sitting area, looking as if he did not know what to say. “Well, I suppose I shall see you for luncheon?” he asked.
She nodded, trying to choke back her frustration and confusion. “Yes, luncheon. Of course,” she replied.
He nodded and smiled at her again, leaning forward to grab another of the croissants. “Well, goodbye,” he said and saluted her as if she were one of the men from his riding club. She gave a tight smile in return, and he was soon gone.
Ellen sat there for a moment, her appetite gone. She was unsure how to proceed. What was she to do now that she was a married woman? The room seemed deathly silent now, like she was afloat on a calm sea with no land in sight. The fact that Simon had left her alone was at once thoughtful and annoying.
Last night she had wanted him to leave her alone. But now that he had, she was even more frustrated and confused. She no longer knew what she wanted of him or how to proceed. She looked over at the settee and felt a wave of guilt once more. Perhaps it would be best if she moved her things to another room. That way he could have his bed back. And it would give her time to settle in and figure out what to do from here.
