If the man had any faults, it was that he frowned a lot and kept too much to himself. But his distancing himself from others, that quality of aloofness, also added to his allure. He was obviously handsome and considered dangerous because he maintained an aura of mystery about him.
But why was he so completely private about his life and experiences? Had the war changed him? Or was he always like this?
The walls around his heart were so firmly constructed that she did not know if any of those young hopefuls would ever break through and win his love.
What a pity. She sensed he would make a wonderful husband and father.
Ailis shot out of her seat when the servants’ door, hidden among the opulent rosewood paneling, opened and Jane returned. “What’s going on?”
The girl shook her head. “Mrs. Fitch sent me up here to tell you to sit tight and not move a muscle. The house is completely invaded and it is a madhouse downstairs. I cannot stay with you, Miss Temple. I’m needed to help settle the guests in their quarters. None of those ladies are as nice as you.”
“They must be tired after their long journey.”
“No, they are just petulant and full of their own importance.”
Ailis grinned. “Hush, Jane. One of them might be the next duchess.”
The girl rolled her eyes. “Oh, no. The duke is already eager to be rid of them.”
Ailis did not think this was really true, but she did not bother to comment on it.
Left alone once again, she let out a heavy breath and settled back in her chair beside the hearth. This was going to be a long wait.
Would the duke be able to sneak her out once everyone retired to bed? That would not happen until the wee hours. The Upper Crust were known to party until dawn. But the maids and valets these guests had brought along would start to rise by then, would they not? There might never be a moment she could leave unseen.
What if she never made her escape?
No, this situation could not remain as it was.
But what if her uncle came around asking questions once the snow melted sufficiently to travel about?
Jane crept back in through the hidden door an hour later.
“Miss Temple, the duke insisted we feed you.” She carried a basket and drew aside the cloth covering to reveal some bread, cheese, and fruit. Also in the basket was a bottle of lemonade. “It is the best we could do without attracting attention.”
“It is perfect, Jane. Leave it here and I’ll manage. Oh, but open up the bottle for me, would you?”
Jane nodded and immediately did as asked.
“And I’ve been giving my escape some thought,” Ailis said. “I could pretend to be one of the maids on staff. I would only have to leave my arm out of the sling long enough to walk down the servants’ stairs.”
“Won’t it hurt you?”
Ailis nodded. “Only for a little while. Next time you come up, bring me an apron and a mobcap. Make it large so I can tuck it low and hide as much of my face as possible.”
Not that any of these elites would ever bother to look at a household maid, but why take the risk?
“I’ll suggest it to Mrs. Fitch and she will find a moment to mention it to His Grace. It isn’t a bad plan, Miss Temple. I think it could work,” Jane said, and disappeared through the hidden door again.
After spending another hour sitting and waiting, Ailis was more convinced than ever that something had to be done. What was to stop her from sneaking down the back stairs right now? Wouldn’t the maids and valets have tended to their duties by now? And she could carry a pillow on the pretense of needing it to be replaced. A big, fluffy one would help cover her face.
“No, that won’t work.” She needed to walk out with her cloak, gloves, reticule…unless Jane carried those down to the kitchen first.
But Ailis had five hundred pounds of bank notes in her reticule. She could not leave it unguarded… Well, she could stuff them in her bodice.
Yes, she had her escape plan firmed up now. A mobcap to hide her hair and face. Carrying a pillow or linens. Mrs. Fitch could send a crew of maids in here to tidy the duke’s room. Did it not need to be tidied anyway? And who was going to keep count of how many maids bustled in or out?
Feeling quite smug about her plan, Ailis tossed a few logs onto the fire, ignoring the twinges that shot through her body even though the logs were small and she only lifted them one at a time using her good arm.
