He stepped back and paused in the threshold. His gaze flicked to Hannah before returning to his wife.
Hannah’s face burned. She said hastily, “I did not say that, my lady. Please do not put words in my mouth. I only meant that we should comply with Sir John’s wishes in this regard.”
“John. I said I would try, and I intend to. But I had no notion you meant to deprive me of Hannah as well. To drag me to a new city with no companion? I should be terribly lonely.”
“And your husband will not suffice in this role, I take it?” he asked dryly.
“Have you ever? Pray, do not be offended, but you are not much given to conversation, or society, or games, or fashion, or any of the things I like.”
“I will try.”
“John. I don’t mean to be difficult, but I think it only fair to warn you. If Hannah isn’t there—who knows whom I should turn to for companionship?”
The honeyed words carried an edge of threat.
Sir John locked gazes with his wife, then turned to Hannah. “Apparently, my wife cannot live without you, Miss Rogers. Nor be accountable for her actions if you do not accompany us toBath. Will you come? I cannot force you, of course. You are free to refuse, to take the other situation I arranged for you. But if you wish to come ... you are welcome.” The veiled message seemed clear. The invitation delivered with little enthusiasm. He wished her to refuse.
Hannah ducked her head, not meeting his eyes. “I will come,” she said. Although she had not accepted for the reasons either of them probably thought.
Hannah had her own motives for getting out of town, away from the people who knew her best. But she wouldn’t be able to stay with the Mayfields forever. Her loose, high-waisted gowns would conceal her secret for a few more months. Maybe longer, since Sir John now avoided looking at her, and Lady Mayfield was self-absorbed. Eventually, however, Hannah knew she would have to leave them, before they discovered the truth.
And several months later, her small savings in hand, Hannah did leave. And tried to leave behind those memories, those feelings, and that vain hope...
Now it all came flooding back. Did she have to lock it away again, in the hidden trunk of her mind where she usually kept it? Or could she finally lay it all to rest ... along with Marianna Mayfield?
Chapter21
The next day, Mr. Lowden rode again to Barnstaple on business for Sir John, and some of the tension in the house departed with him.
But not all.
To thank his neighbors for all they had done for him and his “family,” Sir John had invited the Parrishes to dinner. It was too late to rescind the invitation now, despite his solicitor having learned the truth.
Mrs. Turrill had hired extra kitchen staff and two footmen for the day, and oversaw the preparation of a fine meal, sure to impress even her cousin-in-law, Mrs. Parrish.
Hannah gave in to Mrs. Turrill’s urgings and wore one of Marianna’s prettiest gowns—an evening dress of white gauze over blue satin, pinned and tacked-in at the bodice to better fit her for the occasion. She also asked Kitty to curl and arrange her hair.
It would be the first time Sir John would walk downstairs and preside over his own dining table. He left the invalid chair behind, trapped abovestairs as he had once been, and made his way downstairs with Ben’s help. Sir John wore evening clothesthat now hung loosely on him. But he looked handsome even so, in Hannah’s estimation.
At the appointed hour, he stood at the door, leaning on his cane, to welcome his guests. Hannah saw the strain in his clenched jaw and knew he was in pain.
Mrs. Parrish entered, wearing a lace cap and matronly brown dress snug at the bosom and upper arms and somewhat creased, as if she had not worn it in a long while. Nancy looked pretty in a gown of gossamer net over a pink satin, white flowers pinned in her hair. The doctor and Edgar wore their Sunday best.
Greetings were exchanged, hats and gloves taken, and everyone moved into the dining parlor.
“May I offer you something, Dr. Parrish?” Sir John indicated the decanter on the sideboard.
The doctor patted his chest as though for answers. “I ... well, yes, I think I will. Just a spot. Special occasion and all.”
Sir John poured a small glass, and Hannah noticed his hand was not quite steady.
“Come, Sir John. Let the footmen do their work,” she said gently, taking his arm. “Your place at the head of the table awaits.”
“Quite right, my lady.” Dr. Parrish nodded, sending her a look of understanding. “A place that has been empty far too long, I’d say. I thank God you sit among us tonight, sir. Cause for celebration indeed.”
“Hear, hear,” Edgar echoed.
The six of them took their seats at the table. Mr. Lowden was not due back from Barnstaple until quite late, which, Hannah thought, was just as well. She was anxious enough as it was, sitting there at the foot of the table, facing Sir John at its head as though she really were Lady Mayfield, mistress of the house. Nerves prickled through her and when she lifted her glass, her hands were not quite steady either.
