AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She took a deep breath and opened the door as quietly as possible. “Simon?” she whispered. However, even in the dim light, she could see that the bed was vacant. She entered the room, letting her hands fall dejectedly to her sides. Simon was long gone.
Chapter 38
Simon’s eyes flew open at the sound of a door clicking further down the hall. He sat up, listening as footsteps treaded lightly past his room. He sighed heavily and lay back down on the pillows. It was probably just a maid lighting the upstairs fires before the family awakened. He scrubbed a hand over his face.
He had not slept a wink the night previous. After his fight with Ellen, he had taken some time to collect himself and returned belowstairs to help hang the greenery and play host with his parents. He had not been in a festive mood, especially as the night wore on and Ellen did not come back down.
He had wanted to leave straight away, go to Everett’s home, and confront Lady Genevieve about his suspicions. The only way any of this made sense was that she had forged his handwriting and left the note for Ellen to find. He could not figure out how she would have been able to sneak into his room without any of the staff seeing her—especially his valet.
He shook his head, unable to stay in bed for another minute. He would go mad if he remained cooped up in his room with no one to talk to. Ellen had bolted the door between their rooms, the gulf growing even further between them. Before it was too late, he had to find a way to vindicate himself in her eyes and save what was left of their crumbling relationship.
He dressed quickly, not even bothering to ring for his valet. The fewer people who knew about his early morning ride, the better. He headed down the hall in the opposite direction of the grand staircase. Instead, he headed down the back stairwell the servants used, hoping he would not be discovered.
He made it to the kitchen without meeting any of the staff and slipped out the side entrance before he was caught. He then headed down to the stables and had his horse saddled.
He looked out over the frozen landscape as he waited. This year had been unusually cold, with more snow than they were accustomed to. It had been a blessing in his eyes—before now. He had always loved the snow, but none of it mattered now that he and Ellen’s relationship was on the rocks.
Soon the mount was ready, and he climbed onto his horse with the agility of a cat. He headed out over the fields and farms that separated him from Everett’s estate. He dug his heels into the sides of the horse, and soon they were flying over the wintry landscape.
The sting of the wind carried particles of snow which landed on his face, making his skin tingle. By the time he arrived at Everett’s estate and started up the drive, he was damp through, his face beaded with tiny droplets from the melted snow. He wiped his face as he approached the front of the house, and a stableboy was there to meet him in an instant.
“Good morning, lad. And happy Christmas,” Simon said, pasting a smile. “I know it is early, but I do not suppose the master is awake yet?”
“I could have no way of knowing, my lord. However, I am sure the butler is awake. He would be delighted to help you,” the boy said. Simon handed over his reins and walked up the front steps. He knocked on the front door, and a few minutes later, the butler appeared. His eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“Lord Simon!” he exclaimed. He opened the door wide and gave a hurried bow. “Lord Everett did not say anything about a visit this morning, I must beg your pardon.”
“I did not know I was coming until a few minutes ago. Is Lord Everett awake?”
The butler offered to take his coat, hat and gloves, and Simon handed the articles over. The house was toasty warm, and after the contrast of his freezing ride around, the foyer felt even more sweltering.
“He has not risen yet, my lord. I can go and see if he is available for visitors. Is it very urgent?” he asked, looking worried. Usually, Simon did not show up at the house before nine when he came to call. Simon glanced up at the hall clock. It was not even seven o’clock yet.
“It is rather urgent, yes,” Simon answered. “If you would not mind alerting him to my presence here, I would be very happy to wait.”
“Of course, my lord. Please follow me, and I will go and have his valet tell him that you are here,” he said. Simon followed the man down the hall to the drawing room, where a cheery fire was lit. Simon went over to the hearth, admiring how beautifully Everett and Lady Genevieve had decorated the room with the greenery they had gathered the day before during the excursion.
If only he had come with more pleasant news than what he had to say. Would Lady Genevieve admit to her scheming, or would Everett take her side against him?
He did not think his friend would do so, but Simon was starting to see just how manipulative Lady Genevieve could be. Perhaps she had been all along, but he had not wanted to admit it to himself.
A few minutes later, the door opened, and Simon turned to greet his friend. However, there in the doorway was not Everett but Lady Genevieve. She was dressed in an elegant navy blue silk dressing gown and wore an impish grin.
“Well, good morning. I did not think we would see you today,” she said and entered the room. His ire immediately rose. She walked over to him with a sultry sway of her hips and sat on the sofa opposite him. “To what do we owe this Christmas honour?” she asked.
Simon did his best to keep the bite out of his tone, but he was unsuccessful. “I did not come here to see you,” he said tersely.
Lady Genevieve’s face fell, her eyes sparking with anger. “Oh? And may I ask what would elicit such a rude greeting?” She sat up straighter and folded her hand tightly in her lap.
“I know about the letter, Genevieve. My wife found it yesterday and accused me of being unfaithful—with you. I did not put the whole thing together until this morning. I believe you forged the note and left it in my room, how I do not know, so that she would find it and make a sham of my marriage.”
Simon was growing hot around the collar and took two deep breaths before continuing.
“Well?” he asked.
Lady Genevieve waved him off. “You should be thanking me, Simon. You and I both know that you never wanted to marry Ellen. And I hope the last two months have shown you that—”
“The last two months are none of your business!” Simon exploded. “You are not welcome to comment on my marriage in any way.”
