As though mimicking the restless mood of her mind, the fine weather outside turned first to rain, then to howling wind, and then to the loudest thunderstorm Constance had ever experienced. She doubted anyone got much sleep that night, even if they weren’t in emotional torment as she was. It was a dark, bleak night indeed.
As the storm raged, she tossed and turned in bed, wondering what she should do. Could she go to Ezra, explain her fears, and see what he could do to allay them? Or would that be tantamount to saying she expected to become his countess, when perhaps that was not what he was thinking at all? It would all be so much easier if they could just have an honest and open conversation – but such things were so difficult when it came to a man who, in truth, she barely knew. Men were all such different creatures, and she did not know how to speak with them as she might to her sister.
Chapter Twenty-Two
"Goodness, that storm was fierce," Grandmamma said at breakfast the next morning. "I’m amazed the house didn’t sustain any damage!"
"I barely slept," Charity said, tucking into her breakfast heartily.
Constance had also barely slept, but she had no appetite either. She couldn’t help but think she had made a terrible mistake in rejecting Ezra once more – that perhaps she had been wrong.
But then her thoughts changed again. Perhaps he didn’t prefer Charity to her, but there would always be someone prettier, ready to catch his eye. She had to accept that; she could not see how it would ever work. She would just end up getting her heart broken.
"I think I’ll go into Coral Cove this morning," Grandmamma said. "Check that no one sustained any serious damage. We’re so exposed here by the sea."
"I’ll come with you," Constance said, keen to have something to take her mind off her troubles.
"I have some letters to write," Charity said, "so I’ll stay here, if you don’t mind."
It was a slow journey into the village. They had to take the carriage, for Grandmamma no longer rode, and that always took longer, for there were paths it could not traverse. Even on the accessible ones, there was clear evidence of the storm damage – trees fallen on the road, branches blocking their path.
"I hope no one was hurt," Constance commented, as it became clear that the storm had been as bad as it had sounded in the night.
"As do I. Let’s go to the inn – the landlord there always knows what’s happening. You’ve stayed there before, haven’t you?"
Constance nodded. "Yes, when we visited Northumberland to look at castles a few years ago. It was where I first met the Duchess of Coldingham – although she wasn’t called that then."
"It seems rather a simple place for your father to choose to stay."
"Well, he didn’t have much of a choice. I wanted to see the castles in the area, and there aren’t many establishments to stay in. It was clean and pleasant enough, and I remember the food being excellent."
A hush descended on the inn as Grandmamma and Constance entered, and Constance presumed it was not a common occurrence for a dowager countess to enter.
"Lady Basingstoke," the innkeeper said with a smile. "It’s good to see you. What can we do for you?"
"I’m glad to see you unaffected by the storm, Mr Smith," Grandmamma said, glancing around. "But that was what I came here to ask, since you always have such a good knowledge of the area. Do you know if anyone sustained any real damage, or needs any help?"
"We’ve been fairly lucky in the Cove, Your Ladyship," Mr Smith said. "But then, we’re a bit more sheltered here. I heardfrom a travelling salesman that Stanborough Castle has taken a beating – although of course it’s already ruined. And Gracewood Castle, too. Apparently he saw damage to the roof, although he didn’t investigate any further. You know what the Earl can be like."
Constance’s gaze darted towards her grandmother. There had been damage at Gracewood Castle. What if somebody was hurt? What if Ezra…
"Thank you, Mr Smith," Grandmamma said. "I can always rely on you to have the latest news. We won’t take up any more of your time."
Outside the inn, Constance turned to Grandmamma. "I must go and see if he needs any help – if he’s all right…"
"I’m not sure you’ll be much help in repairing a roof," her grandmother said wryly. "But of course, if you feel you must go, then you must. I would like to go home first, if you don’t mind."
Constance nodded, although she would have much preferred to go straight there now that she knew he had been impacted by the storm. However, it would be easier without her grandmother in tow. She could take a horse and ride over there, instead of taking the slow route with the carriage.
She just wanted to see that he was well – and safe.
???
"Have you found any further damage?" Ezra asked Soames, who had been conducting a search of the castle with some of the other staff, after the damage to the roof and the leaking that ensued had been discovered. It had been in the nursery, a room which Ezra never entered, but which held such painful memories.
"A little, my lord," Soames said in his usual calm fashion. "The roof has been damaged in a few areas, I’m afraid. Andthe stables have also sustained damage. Luckily, none of the horses were injured, but we did lose one, who has since been recovered."
"Well, at least there’s been no loss of life. We must prioritise fixing the stables – can you see to it?"
