“How do you always know?”
“Because I know the look on your face when you are upset,” Hermia said. “It is the same one you used to have when you tried to spend time with Father, and he turned you away. The same one you had when you realized how badly our mother was pushing us into the marriage mart. It isdistress.”
Sibyl bit her lip, nodding. She had gone to her sister’s for comfort; there was no use denying that something was wrong.
“Let me call for tea.” Hermia squeezed her hand.
She called for a maid and requested that tea be brought in, along with some scones from that morning’s breakfast.
When the refreshments had been served, she scooted closer to her sister. “Now, tell me what is wrong.”
It all came out. Sibyl’s recovery, Gabriel’s paranoia and subsequent absence, the gossip, her husband’s neglect, his desire for revenge, their argument, and the deafening silence ever since.
“I am grateful, of course,” Sibyl said, her eyes welling with tears. “He could have brushed it off like I was trying to do, but he has becomerelentless.”
“He has neglected you in his search,” Hermia murmured.
Sibyl nodded. “I needed my husband to take me into his arms, not beat some lords half to death—which is what I overheard earlier.”
Hermia’s face paled a little, and she held Sibyl’s hand even tighter. “Sibyl, you ached for love, and you have found it. I do believe that, even if your husband has not been going about it in the right way. You are so fiercelyyou; he has brought you back.Gabriel… he has hurt you now, yes, but I also saw how he looked at you the day we went on a picnic.
“I believe that this is him showing his love. But he also needs to listen to you. I adore you. And I want the best for you, so if that means sending Charles with you later so he can knock some sense into him, then so be it.”
Sibyl laughed through her tears. “I know why he is so hellbent on revenge, but I feel as though I am a placeholder for his sister, whom he could not save. Perhaps that is all I have ever been: the lady to be saved, rather than a wife to be loved.”
Hermia shook her head. “I do not believe that. I know that youdo not either.”
“It hurts,” Sibyl whispered, holding her hand to her chest. “Hermia, it hurts so terribly.”
“I know.” Hermia pulled her into an embrace. “He is being very thick-headed, this husband of yours. Again, simply say the word, and evenIwill have some strong words with him. He ought to be holding you, not out fighting.”
Sibyl nodded into her sister’s shoulder. “I miss him, too.”
“When Charles and I separated,” Hermia continued, “do you recall how miserable I was? You miss him because you want him, but you need space to process your pain. That is very valid, Sibyl.”
“I think… I think I want to get away from London for a while. Away from Gabriel, away from the accident, away from the gossip.”
“You have always been fond of the countryside.” A suggestive smile touched Hermia’s lips. “I know you have your own estate in Stonehelm, but how about you stay in Branmere Hall for a while? A couple of days, if you want. But you are welcome to stay for however long you need.”
It sounded exactly like what Sibyl needed, and she was already nodding before her sister finished speaking. “I will pack at once.”
Back at Stonehelm House, Sibyl marched into the entrance hall.
Hannah hurried upstairs to prepare Rosie, leaving her to find her lady’s maid.
“Charlotte, please pack some of my belongings,” she instructed. “I’ll be away for a week or so.”
“Right away, Your Grace.” Charlotte bobbed a curtsey and made haste upstairs.
Sibyl waited in the entrance hall, her eyes straying to the long hallway in front of her. She tried not to react to the familiar heavy tread of boots emerging from the study.
Gabriel stared at her across the hallway. “What are you doing?”
She lifted her chin. “I am going to stay with Hermia and her family at Branmere Hall for a short while. I am certain you will not miss me. It will not be so different from the last couple of weeks, I imagine.”
“Sibyl, do not be ridiculous.” Gabriel frowned. “You cannot go.”
“I can do what I wish.”
