“I received a note, sent by her housekeeper to tell me she cannot meet me. It appeared to have been written in haste for there was no explanation. Only ‘Cannot meet tonight. Urgent matters interfered.’ Matters more urgent than our escaping London?” He dropped back into the armchair. “I fear she has changed her mind.”
“Now, now, let us not be so hasty. Wait until your brother returns, he might have news.”
“No, he has gone to White’s to dine with the Earl and her brother and ” He stopped mid-sentence as an idea had formed in his mind. He jumped out of the chair. “I must leave Uncle. Do not wait up for me.”
He rushed out of the room as his uncle’s voice called out his name. He didn’t stop. He couldn’t.
* * *
Half an hour later, Christopher found himself in front of the Burton family’s London home. He had not been here since the fateful dinner some weeks ago. He had not planned to return here until he was wed to Rowena.
Not wanting to endanger their plans to go to Scotland, they had avoided seeing one another in secret. But now with their plans so suddenly changed, he had no choice.
I must see her. I must find out if she changed her mind about me. What if she has? What will I do? How can I go on?
He pushed the thought from his mind and ducked across the street and around the corner to the back of the house. He looked at the darkened windows, unsure of what to do next. He could not simply knock on the servant’s door and ask for Mrs. Wooster, the housekeeper or the maid. He glanced up at the windows and thought of the night at the vineyard when Rowena had thrown pebbles at his window.
If only I knew which window is hers. Perhaps I ought to take my chance and–
“Your Grace?” he spun around and found himself face to face with Mrs. Wooster. “Is something the matter? Has nobody answered your call at the front door?” The housekeeper was standing before him, a basket with fresh fruit and vegetables under her arm.
He wetted his lips and glanced around, unsure of what to say. To his relief, he did not have to. The older woman nodded once, curtly.
The old woman shook her head and then sighed. “It is Lady Rowena you are here for, I take it. Very well.” She blinked and looked up at him. “You should know nobody in this household is fond of the Duke of Thornmouth. Us servants do talk to one another.”
“I am sure you do, Mrs. Wooster.”
She looked up him up and down. “I know your former housekeeper. Mrs. Leeds.”
Christopher smiled at the mention of the kind older woman who had long served as their housekeeper. He recalled her gentle, unassuming nature. Her presence had soothed him after the devastating loss of his mother.
“Mrs. Leeds retired earlier this year,” he said.
“Aye, I know. And with a generous gift from Your Grace, I heard.” She clicked her tongue. “So, as I said, I supposed you are here for Lady Rowena?”
He swallowed and nodded. “I am. I don’t suppose you could–”
She sighed dramatically, hoisting the basket full of fresh fruit she was carrying higher up on her hip.
“I suppose. However, if I end up losing my position over this, you best believe I will be coming to knock on your door.”
He smiled at her sass. “And I will gladly welcome you in and give you a position. Not that you will be in need of one.”
“Your word to God’s ear, Your Grace.” She gave him a curt nod and without another word, disappeared into the house.
* * *
Christopher paced in the back yard for what felt like an eternity. In reality, it was certainly no more than five minutes when the back door opened. He spun around and Rowena stood in the dim light, squinting as her eyes adjusted to the darkness.
“Christopher?” she called out quietly and he rushed toward her. They had not seen one another in person in nearly two weeks. He wanted to wrap his arms around her, to pull her near, but he hesitated. He still was unsure why she had decided to forego their plan to go to Gretna Green.
“What are you doing here?” The surprise was evident in her voice.
“What am I doing here? Certainly, you could not have expected me to do nothing after receiving such a note from you.” He hesitated for a moment, then added, “Am I to understand your note meant you have you decided to wed Thornmouth instead then?”
Her eyes widened with horror. “No! Never. I love you; nothing has changed.” She looked up at the dark house and then took his hand, pulling him gently further away from the house. When they were hidden behind the large apple tree, she looked up at him.
“I want us to go still, but I cannot tonight. Something has happened.”
