Upon their return to the house, they made their way to Lady Tesh’s rooms to determine the plan for the day. What they did not expect, however, was to find that lady still abed. Though she typically kept to her rooms most of the morning, she was nevertheless up with the sun, working on her correspondence, conferring with the housekeeper, and generally running a tight ship at Seacliff.
This morning, however, they found her bundled under her covers, looking older than she ever had.
“Gran, what is it?” Margery rushed to her bedside and took the woman’s hand in hers. “Are you unwell? Shall I call for the physician?”
“Goodness, an old woman decides to sleep in and she’s suddenly at death’s door?” Lady Tesh waved off Margery’s hovering, pushing herself straighter.
“Is anything amiss, Gran?” Lenora asked, coming up beside Margery.
For a moment, Lady Tesh’s gaze flickered to her, and Lenora shivered, for it was bleak indeed.
The mood was short lived. “Only that you both are making me feel my age. And if there is anything that’s dangerous for someone of my advanced years, it’s to actually feel every day of it. Now get back, the both of you, while I rise and ready myself for the day.”
She threw back the covers. Freya, who had been sleeping peacefully beside her mistress, gave an irritated growl as she was buried in brocade. As Lady Tesh hobbled to her dressing table, the dog worked her way free and, with an offended sniff, pranced from the room.
“Margery, choose something for me to wear. And none of your dismal, dreary colors. Give me something bright and brilliant. I’ve a mind to be outrageous today.”
“When are you not?” Margery replied with an affectionate smile as she disappeared inside Lady Tesh’s dressing room.
Lady Tesh peered at herself in the mirror before holding a brush out in Lenora’s general direction. “You may as well make yourself useful, child,” she said.
Lenora went to her at once, untying the ribbon from the viscountess’s plait and using her fingers to loosen the strands. Soon she was pulling the brush through the shimmering white hair, her long strokes going from the top of the woman’s head to nearly her backside.
“That is lovely, child.” Lady Tesh closed her eyes. “I vow, your touch is much lighter than my maid’s. Half the time, I think she’s got a vendetta against me, for all she tugs and pulls.”
Which would not have surprised Lenora one bit. Though never cruel, Lady Tesh was not the gentlest taskmaster. But now was as good a time as any to ask about their plans; as much as she dreaded the day, she would get it over and done with.
“Do you have any errands you wish us to run for you today, Gran?”
“Not errands, no. Though seeing as you did not have a chance to complete the drawings I wanted of you, perhaps you can make a visit to the cliffs again.”
Lenora’s hand faltered in its brushing as she remembered her last trip there, how she had struggled to sketch the simplest drawing, her recent heartbreak with Peter preventing even the instinctual mechanics of the act. But she could not avoid the place forever. Schooling her features into polite acceptance, she said in a bright tone, “Of course.”
“Splendid.” Lady Tesh sighed. “I’m only sorry Peter shall miss it.”
Lenora focused on keeping her hand steady, though her stomach lurched. “It’s for the best, I suppose. He cannot want to follow us about when he could be exploring the Isle on his final days here.”
Lady Tesh looked as if she’d been struck. “But didn’t you hear, child? Peter left this morning before daybreak. He has returned to America.”
The brush dropped from Lenora’s numb fingers, clattering to the floor. “What?”He’s gone?No, he couldn’t be.
The older woman nodded sadly. “He came to me last night. This morning I had him checked on. His room was empty, his horse gone.”
Lenora did not realize she had ceased to breathe until spots swam in her vision and she swayed on her feet. Lady Tesh’s fingers on her arm jolted her back to herself.
“Lenora, you look as if you’ll keel over on the spot. Sit and I’ll call Margery back to help you to your room.”
“No.” The one word came out loud and desperate, stunning Lady Tesh into releasing her. She had to gain control of herself. It was for the best that he was gone, after all. Now she could concentrate on her future, unencumbered by his effect on her.
She felt a mad laugh bubble up and quickly suppressed it. Unencumbered, indeed.
“That is,” she continued, struggling for a calm she didn’t feel, “I only need a bit of fresh air. Tell Margery I’ve gone out, will you?”
Before Lady Tesh could respond, Lenora was out the door. But once out in the hall, she couldn’t fathom where to go. The only thing in her mind was Peter, and that he had left without saying goodbye.
That mad laugh finally broke free then. There was no need for goodbyes when she had practically driven him from the house the night before.Just leave me alone, Peter, she had begged him.Please.And he had done as she had bid him.
Her chest grew tight, her breathing labored. It was as if she were being pulled by an undertow and didn’t know which way was up. She had to get out of this house.
