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“Well, what about the rest of us, Mama? Surely there is not room enough for us all to stay?” Golda said in dismay.
“Nonsense. There are four rooms, just as there were before. And the children will be very comfortable in the school room. It is just down the hall from your old room. Beatrice, you will not mind staying in Agatha’s room for one night, will you? Just like old times,” her mother said and promptly started calling servants to arrange makeshift beds for the children. Ellen blushed when her mother walked over to her and Simon.
“You may have Beatrice’s room. It is your old room, Ellen, so you know the way. Take your husband up,” she said with a distracted glance at her grandchildren. “Now, if you need anything, just ring one of the servants and they will get you whatever is required.”
“Mama, wait—” Ellen said, but her mother was already gone, herding the children toward the stairs.
Beatrice stepped up to her with a grin. “I know you did not bring any luggage, as you did not have plans to stay. Will you be requiring a nightgown? I have an extra you can borrow,” she whispered.
Ellen shot her a warning look. “Yes, thank you.”
She gave her sister a good-natured push and laughed as she set off to retrieve the nightgown for her. She had not been prepared to share a bedroom with her husband so soon, and her heart started thudding as she showed him to her old room. Beatrice walked in first, collected a few things, and slung a nightdress over her arm. She handed another to Ellen.
“I made a few changes in the room. I am sure you will not mind.”
“It is your room now, Beatrice,” Ellen said. She glanced over her shoulder at Simon, waiting in the hall. She nodded in that direction, and Beatrice hurried out. ‘
“Oh, yes, I am sure you want your privacy. Good night then,” Beatrice said with a wicked grin and hurried down the hall. Ellen could have melted into the floorboards from mortification.
Of course, she did not want any of her family, least of all her parents, to know that she and Simon had still not consummated their marriage. She opened the door wide and motioned for Simon to join her. She closed the door softly, took a steadying breath, and decided to follow her mother’s advice.
“Well, this is it. The old bedroom,” she said, not knowing how to start. Simon sauntered over to the hearth and then over to the window. He looked out of the open curtains, sighing in contentment, it would seem.
“I do love the snow. I am not sorry that it started up again,” he said, turning to look at her. There was a comfortable pause between them, and a smile crept over his features. “You were wonderful this evening.”
Ellen looked away in embarrassment. “It was nothing.”
“No, it most certainly was notnothing,” he said. He walked over to her, looking as if he wanted to take her hands. However, he shoved them in his pockets instead. “You were brilliant, Ellen. Really, your playing is….” He looked up at the ceiling, searching for words. “Incandescent.”
She gave a short laugh, unused to such high praise. “Well, thank you.”
She glanced at the hearth, unable to still the wild beating of her heart. “I…I wanted to apologise to you, Simon. I realise that our marriage had a rough start, and it was my fault. Even after our talk in the library a few weeks ago, I have made things awkward and unpleasant. I do not know exactly how, but I want to change that, to have some warmth between us.”
She hung her head, feeling as if she were making a butchery of her attempt at peace-making.
“It was not fair of me to hold you to things that happened between us when we were children. I did not realise the motivation for your pranks, and I am truly sorry that I yelled at you that last day. I should never have said those terrible things.” Her voice broke. It was difficult to admit her wrongs, but she already felt a little lighter.
“You mean about hating me and never wanting to see me again?” he asked, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth. He cocked his head to the side, trying to meet her gaze. She was too ashamed, however, so she simply nodded.
She was surprised when he stepped closer and placed a finger under her chin. He tilted her head gently, and her heart skipped a beat, racing all the faster. She looked into his kind, green eyes and thought she saw something akin to love shining in their depths. Her breath came in short, quick gasps. It could not be possible. Why would he love her when she had been so awful the last few weeks?
“I forgive you, Ellen,” he said softly. “I agree. Let us let go of the past and move forward. We are very different people from when we were children. Let us get to know each other as friends, and I hope someday that warmth will soon fill our marriage.”
He chucked her under the chin in a playful gesture and took a step back as he looked around the room. He sighed, raising his brows in question. “It has been a long day. Shall we?” he asked. Ellen’s heart rate spiked once again. He laughed at the look of surprise that must have come over her. “I can sleep on the floor,” he offered.
Ellen shook her head. “No, you cannot,” she protested. “It will be too uncomfortable and cold.”
“I shall cosy up to the hearth,” Simon said.
“No, I am afraid, even with the fire burning, it will be chilly. My parents’ home is not as well-insulated as ours.”
Simon smiled when she referred to the Sotheby Place as their home, not just his. “Well, what do you suggest?” he asked.
“It is a large bed. Perhaps we can share?” she suggested. She held up the nightgown and motioned to the screen. “I shall just change. I am sorry, there is likely nothing for you unless I go and ask my father. With no brothers, there is likely nothing to be had,” she apologised.
“Do not worry. I shall manage,” he smirked.
She walked behind the screen and changed, which was a little difficult without her maid to help her get out of her stays. However, after a bit of finagling, she was able to coerce the stays into freeing her. She let out a breath of relief and took another to steady her nerves. She crossed her arms over her chest and walked out. Simon stood by the fire, having stripped down to his breeches and shirt.
