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Laura placed the bowl at Anna’s feet then stood up. Anna handed Lenny to Laura, signifying that she didn’t feel like leaning over herself. Although Laura found Anna terribly rude, she didn’t mind for one moment having the adorable dog in her arms. She knelt and placed Leonard in front of the bowl, and he happily drank. Laura stood up once more and smiled. Anna was not smiling.
“You’re a strange girl.”
Laura’s face fell. “I beg your pardon?”
“I said that you’re a strange girl. You’re always staring at Edward.”
Laura cleared her throat. She didn’t know how to defend herself. “I consider him a friend.”
All the ladies in the circle laughed, and Anna knitted her brow. She took Laura by the arm and led her away. “I hate to be the truth bearer on this occasion, Laurel.”
“Laura.”
“Yes, that’s what I meant. Edward is by no means your friend. He’s your master. There’s a great difference.”
“Yes, I understand that.”
“So why don’t you behave as such?”
Laura had no idea what to say. She obviously couldn’t explain the truth to Anna, nor did she want to. The situation was utterly impossible. “I promise to improve.”
“That will be necessary. Especially after Edward and I are wed.”
Laura felt tears coming to the surface and didn’t know how to stop them. Was Anna speaking the truth now? Was Edward denying her the truth so that Laura would hold onto hope? Even Graham had perhaps lied to her. The situation had gone from bad to worse.
“I … I understand.”
“Good. Many things are going to change around here. And truth be told, much of the staff will change. If you behave yourself, perhaps you’ll remain here on the estate.”
Laura couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was Anna threatening to fire her? Did Edward know about any of this? “I would most certainly like to remain.”
Anna gave a fake smile. “Let’s just see how things transpire, yes?” With that, she walked away, and Laura was left standing there, her heart ripped out of her chest. If what Anna was saying was true, did Laura even wish to remain if Edward and Anna were married? After all they had shared, Laura was unsure if she could take it.
Laura stood frozen, watching as Anna returned to the group of women. She said something to them, and they all looked in Laura’s direction. She felt mortification. Laura was being stared at and didn’t even have the power to move. Finally, she willed her legs to take her out of the ballroom and into the hall. Laura ran into someone as she did so. It was Edward.
“Laura.”
“Oh, I …”
“What’s the matter? Are you crying?”
“Please, leave me alone.” Laura quickly escaped and ran down the hall and towards her room. Edward did not pursue her. It was fitting. He must have been lying this whole time, so why should he pursue her?
As Laura ran to her room, she wept tears of excruciating pain. All was lost. She threw herself upon the bed, wondering what she should do next. After several moments of crying, Laura wiped her eyes and sat up in her bed. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror. No, this was not how she was going to conduct herself the rest of the evening. Laura was stronger than she thought. Splashing some cold water on her face, Laura inspected herself in the mirror one last time before leaving the room.
Upstairs, Laura entered the kitchen and resigned herself to focusing on one thing and one thing alone for the rest of the evening. Laura would work.
Ermengarde held the sides of her head in dismay. “Laura, you keep disappearing!”
“I am back. No more disappearing.”
“Good. The punch needs to be refilled in the dining room.”
Going out to perform the task, Laura noticed how the guests were either thinning out or merely becoming tired. Ladies that were once dancing were now lounging in chairs. Gentlemen who were mingling about were now drinking their brandy and smoking their cigars. Edward was nowhere to be seen, but Laura was not looking for him. When she had ran into him, he did not bother to pursue her. Perhaps he knew of his deception just as much as she did.
But was Anna telling the truth? Who could be believed? That’s when Laura spotted Graham, sipping brandy and gazing in her general direction. She could try to confront him about the matter and get to the bottom of things. Graham would know the truth. But Laura was simply unsure whether she wished to get to the bottom of anything. She wanted to clear her head. She wanted to work.
It was when she was clearing some teacups that she heard a voice behind her. “Laura.”
