The housekeeper shook her head. “It saddens me that the lighthearted child I had a hand in raising has become so hardened. In body and in mind. Perhaps one day you’ll see the truth.”
“What truth is that?”
“Everyone needs a shoulder to lean on, my lady. Someone they can trust.” The housekeeper’s gaze shifted over Piper’s shoulder as a light rap sounded at the open door. “What is it, Albert?”
“Your pardon, ma’am,” the groom mumbled. Piper twisted in her chair and his attention turned to her. “M’lady, I’ve received word that Miss Langston is available and will meet you at the normal place at half of the hour.”
“Thank you.” Piper forced a smile before he bowed his head and retreated. The polite expression slipped away as she stood and retrieved her battered black velvet hat from the desktop.
Someone to trust? Such a difficult task when one’s heart was as calloused as their hands. Beyond Jane and the people of the Grange—who now tested her faith—the only one who she was inclined to put an ounce of her trust in was Connor. A shoulder to lean on was tempting, but how hardened would she be by repeated disappointment?
Piper left the housekeeper’s office without another word. As she passed through the kitchen, the hum and bustle fell silent. Eyes filled with pity followed her. They knew. They all knew. For how long?
Hilde wiped her hands on her apron and spread her arms wide. Any other day, that motherly embrace would have been a welcome sight. All it bespoke this day was further evidence of deception.
A prickle of heat stung Piper’s eyes. “Were you all simply going to let me walk in here one day to discover the truth for myself? To come face-to-face with him without even a moment to prepare?”
“We were afraid you might hie yourself off to America if you knew, child.” The love and sympathy in Hilde’s voice was almost too much to bear. “The time has come to see an end to this nonsense.”
“I thought you said it wasn’t your place to tell him.” Piper’s hands fisted to stay their trembling.
“Well, we wouldn’t precisely be telling him, you see.”
A harsh chuckle escaped her. “Yes, I do. Surprises all around. Hoorah! How entertaining that would have been.”
Exiting through the kitchen court, Piper found Albert at the gate holding the reins to her saddled horse. A small consolation to soothe the sting. Jenny, one of the maids from the Langston’s household, hovered behind him. Close behind him. The passing of notes between Piper and Jane over the past months had evidently sparked a romance.
At least someone’s future appeared bright.
“Up ye go, m’lady.” Words she’d heard again and again since childhood. Back then, he’d picked her up and plopped her into the saddle. Now, Albert cupped his hands to give her a leg up.
“Did you know, too, Albert?”
“I’ve never let any harm come to you, m’lady. I don’t plan to let anything change that.”
Hardly an answer.
“Mr. MacKintosh has been walking the parkland of late,” he warned. “Best keep to the northern fields.”
Another warning that had come too late.
* * *
“You’re quiet today.”
“I’ve had a bit of news. It seems Harry will be returning to Dinton Grange soon. To stay.” The confession was barely a whisper, as if spoken aloud the words would strike with the sting of a whip.
Jane reined in her mount in surprise nonetheless, the dainty mare sidestepping at the sudden halt with a soft whinny of protest. “Mr. MacKintosh must have spotted you and mentioned you in his letters to his sister.”
“I came across him by chance a couple of days ago and engaged in conversation enough to know he has not.”
Her friend’s eyes widened. “Does he know who you are?”
Piper shook her head. “No. My point is, he may have asked around about me locally, I’m confident has not mentioned me to Harry.” She was, trusting in him more completely than she would have thought possible given their brief acquaintance. Regret weighed on her for her hasty abandonment of him. Nearly as heavily as his revelation. “Harry didn’t care enough for me to come looking before, nor does he now. He’s decided to take up residence. Though I cannot help but wonder why, after all this time.”
“Piper, don’t talk nonsense.” Jane waggled her riding crop at her. “I’ve told you he’s most ardent in his desire to find you.”
The rains the previous day had served to cool the warm weather to more seasonal temperatures, but even the chill in the air couldn’t subdue the heated ire her friend’s newfound conviction of Harry’s devotion roused in Piper. It seemed as if all those who had long supported her were turning their backs while a perfect stranger became the one to provide the greatest reassurance.
