A flicker of something — perhaps shame, perhaps determination — crossed Tobias’s face. He nodded, the weight of Simon’s words sinking in.
“I shall hope to see you very soon, brother.”
For the next several days, Harriet made herself scarce within Atherton House, avoiding Simon with a determination that would have impressed even the most dedicated member of the ton’s social circles. If he entered a room, she found a reason to leave it. If he sought her out, she managed to be otherwise occupied — often with Cathy, the sweet child who had become both her solace and her sanctuary.
To an outsider, Harriet’s sudden preoccupation with the baby might have seemed natural, a new mother — or at least, a stand-in for one — immersed in the responsibilities of care. But beneath the surface, her every action was tinged with a carefully controlled sense of avoidance. She had no desire to confrontSimon, no wish to discuss the weighty matters that hung between them like an unspoken promise, or perhaps a curse.
The nursery became her refuge, a place where she could focus on Cathy’s needs and distract herself from the tumult of her emotions. Harriet busied herself with the daily tasks that had become second nature — feeding, changing, soothing Cathy to sleep — repeating each action with meticulous care as if the routine alone could shield her from the turmoil that brewed in her heart.
And when Cathy smiled at her, or giggled in that sweet, innocent way that she did, Harriet felt a momentary sense of peace. In those moments, she could almost forget the disaster that was her marriage. She could almost forget the way Simon’s eyes had held hers with such intensity the last time they’d spoken, the way his words had unsettled the fragile balance she’d so carefully maintained.
But even in the sanctuary of the nursery, Harriet was not entirely free from Simon’s presence. She could feel him in the house, his presence a subtle but undeniable weight that pressed down on her.
Sometimes, he would make direct attempts to get through to her. Like this morning, when her maid knocked on her door.
“Your Grace, the duke is asking for your presence at the breakfast table,” Eliza said to Harriet.
“Tell His Grace that I will be taking my breakfast in my room.”
Eliza pressed her lips together, hesitantly. “His Grace told me that you would respond with that. He requested me to tell you to proceed downstairs, regardless.”
Harriet narrowed her eyes at her. “Eliza, you are my lady’s maid. Since when did you shift over to the duke’s side?”
Eliza hung her head low, “I am sorry, Your Grace. I am only acting as I have been instructed.”
Harriet racked her brain, knowing that she was going to have to come up with a more viable excuse to dodge the duke this morning. “Tell His Grace that I do not feel well this morning. And that it pertains to my monthlies.”
Eliza blushed at the suggestion. Surely, it was a bold thing to say out loud.
“Your Grace, I cannot —”
She was in the midst of completing her sentence when the door opened behind them. Simon had come up himself, presumably running out of patience.
“Eliza, you can give us a moment alone now, please,” Simon said to the maid, who scurried off instantly. “Now, what seems to be the problem here?”
Harriet took in a deep breath, growing nervous now that he was here in person but doing a good job at hiding it.
“There is no problem,Your Grace.”
“I see. Then, what is the reason for the wait? You were supposed to join me for breakfast a while ago.”
“Oh, I was?” Harriet croaked, feigning her innocence. “I was not aware.”
Simon passed her a look that said,really?He could see right through her efforts at trying to come across as nonchalant.
“Well, if there has been any confusion, I am here to get you myself. You have been acting quite strangely ever since the?—”
“Oh but I believe I am quite ill….”
“What has happened?” he asked, alarmed.
“Simon, I really think you must leave. This is…” she knitted her eyebrows together, her face contorting to indicate that she was in great pain, “this is a matter that only my maids can deal with. I believe that my courses have arrived.”
Immediately, Simon took a step back, a faint — and very rare — blush forming on his cheeks.
“Oh, I was not aware…”
“Yes, yes. You must send for Eliza right away. I am sorry, Simon. But such a condition really does not permit me to come and join you for breakfast. Really, it is a shame.”
