“I am Clintock, ma’am.May I help you?”
“Mr.Delaney is not here?”
“He is still below with his lordship, I believe, ma’am.”
She hesitated, but she knew she would not be able to sleep with uncertainty hanging over her.
“I think I will leave him a note,” she said.
Amenably, the manservant produced a traveling desk that opened to reveal supplies of paper, pens, and ink.He held a chair for her and arranged everything with a slow deliberation that made her want to scream, expecting as she did to hear her husband’s footsteps at any minute.
When Clintock had retreated she sought words to express herself.How impossible it was.
In the end she wrote:
As our marriage has already been consummated, after a fashion, I would be grateful if you would respect my privacy,
Eleanor.
It was terse and ungracious, but she could think of no way to better it and she wished to be gone from this room.She sanded it, folded it, and wrote her husband’s name on the outside.There was no seal or wafers, and surely no necessity.
Eleanor left the note there and beat a hasty retreat.
Clintock’s voice stopped her.“Would you wish me to take this down to Mr.Delaney, ma’am?”
“No, no.That will not be necessary.”
“Very well, ma’am.And please accept my best wishes on this happy day.”
Blushing, Eleanor stammered her thanks and fled.So, his valet was in his confidence.She supposed there was no help for that.
Next she checked the door for a key and did not find one.She shrugged.She did not think the man she had married today would force himself upon her, no matter what had happened a few weeks ago.So long, she supposed wryly, as he was not now downstairs drowning his wits in brandy.
She prepared for bed without ringing for a maid.She was well accustomed to managing for herself and valued the privacy.As she sat before the mirror in one of her voluminous nightgowns, brushing her hair with long, sweeping strokes, she considered the events of the evening.
It would appear her husband had enemies.Well, it was said those who supped with the devil should have a long spoon.She supposed he was able to look after himself, but she hoped she would not become embroiled in any of his disreputable doings.She had had enough of such matters in her brother’s house and longed only for placid respectability.
The adjoining door opened.
Nicholas stood leaning against the frame, the note between his long fingers.He had removed his jacket, waistcoat, and cravat.In his open-necked shirt he looked like a pirate.Eleanor’s heart began a frantic beating and the brush fell from her fingers.
His expression was unfathomable but his voice was crisp and cold as he came into the room, shutting the door behind him.“Never write such an indiscreet note again, please.It could have been read by anyone.”
Irritation overcame her fear.“Who on earth would read it except possibly your valet, whom you appear to trust?”Her voice sounded shrill to her own ears.
“Anyone could have entered the room while Clintock was elsewhere,” he said, as if explaining to a bothersome child.“This whole exercise is an attempt to preserve your reputation.That note could throw it on the dung heap.”
Eleanor knew she had gone red under this reprimand, and she dearly wished to throw the responsibility for her precarious reputation precisely where it belonged: in his lean, cool face.She knew, however, that his criticism was well-founded, and she forced out an apology.“I am sorry then.You are quite correct.I will be careful not to do such a thing again.”
She stood, grateful for the concealment of her tent-like nightgown.“Good night.”
He made no move, merely studied her.“So you meant what you wrote,” he said thoughtfully.“I had come to think you had more spirit.”
Fear resurged.“I have spirit enough to fight for the right to lie unmolested in that bed tonight.I am not drugged now, sir!”
She took a step back and glanced around in search of a potential weapon in case he came at her.The only thing was her hairbrush.She was sure that would terrify him to death!
He did not approach her, however.He merely sighed and walked away to collapse gracefully on the rug before the fire.Casually he tossed the note upon the coals, where it blazed and then flew in ashes up the chimney.
