Stroking her hair, Elise said, “It’s late, dear, why don’t you stay here tonight, and you can tell me all about it in the morning?”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Priscilla hadn’t known that was exactly what she needed until her friend made the suggestion, she said, “That would be wonderful, if it’s not too much trouble. I can’t face an empty house right now.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” the countess replied, gently wiping Priscilla’s cheeks with her finger. “I believe most of the staff has already retired for the evening, but the guest rooms were just aired, and I know where I can find you fresh linens. We can stop by the kitchen for some warm water on the way.”
Ever practical, Elise had no trouble taking over the domestic tasks of her household after becoming accustomed to them in the time she was barred from polite society and had lived in Dorset. Taking her by the hand, Elise led her into the kitchen.
“Have you had anything to eat? You must have come straight off the road.”
The thought of food while she was so upset made her feel nauseous. Shaking her head, she informed Elise she didn’t think she could eat. “I just need to sleep. My head is pounding terribly.”
“Why didn’t you say so? Sit,” Elise said, pointing at a kitchen stool next to a preparation table as she disappeared into astoreroom. Priscilla watched as Elise emerged with several small jars before stirring the fire under the large pot of water that was always heating there. She quickly made some kind of tea from a variety of herbs, then thrust an earthenware mug at her. “Drink,” she said, no nonsense in her tone.
“What is it?” Priscilla asked warily, wrinkling her nose as she took a sniff of the brew.
“It tastes better than it smells. I added a spoonful of honey,” Elise told her. “It will ease your head and allow you to sleep.”
Taking a cautious sip, she could begrudgingly admit that Elise was right. It didn’t taste terrible, and the warmth was soothing. Priscilla rarely saw her friend engage in the healing arts now that she was in London for the season, but she was reminded of her talents and grateful for them when by the time she reached the bottom of the cup, she felt marginally better.
Elise filled an urn with hot water and led her upstairs to a guest room. She left Priscilla to wash and returned a few moments later with a night rail for her. Slipping into bed, Priscilla let out a sigh and closed her eyes, grateful for her friend’s luxurious linens. The last thing she remembered was the light touch of Elise’s lips on her forehead.
Priscilla woke late the next day, judging by the light coming into her room. Thankfully, she had slept well. Unsure what exactly had been in the tea Elise had made for her, she was nonetheless grateful for it, she had needed the sleep after several nights of much too little. The night before she returned to town had been spent jostling down the road in her carriage, the evening prior she had tossed and turned in her room at Hampton House uneasy after her confessions to West, and the night before that—well, she blushed thinking about what had kept her up most of the night three evenings ago.
But now she needed to face reality and thank her friend profusely for her hospitality. Rising, she was grateful to see a fresh pitcher of warm water and a dress laid out for her to wear home. She hadn’t stirred when the items had been brought in, confirming just how much she had needed the rest.
Making her way downstairs, Priscilla found the breakfast room and was relieved to discover food on the sideboard. It must not have been as late as she feared, for the earl was sitting at the table reading the paper and drinking his coffee.
“Ah, Lady Priscilla,” he said, seeing her in the doorway. “Please come in and get something to eat. Elise told me to expect you. She’s just run off to the garden but will return any time. Can I pour you some tea or coffee?”
Reid was such a kind man. Knowing he was a friend of West’s reminded her of how much she would miss being in his presence, and to Priscilla’s shame, she felt her eyes grow watery.
Weston looked alarmed. “What have I done now?” he asked. “Elise will never forgive me for upsetting you.”
“Upsetting her?” Elise interjected, stepping into the room and looking over at Priscilla. “Oh, darling! What did my foolish husband say to you?”
“Nothing at all,” Priscilla informed them with a broken laugh. “He’s just a good man and reminded me of someone.”
“Ah,” Reid said, folding his paper and rising. “I believe that would be my cue to leave you ladies to talk.”
On his way out, he stopped in front of his wife and kissed the crown of her head. Priscilla watched as Elise closed her eyes in appreciation and squeezed his arm as he passed. It both warmed and hurt her heart to see their love for one another. She longed for the same with West. If he didn’t come around, she feared she’d never have that with anyone else.
Now with just the two of them left in the room, Elise having quietly signaled to the footman to step away, she turned Priscilla’s direction. “You need something to eat, you didn’t have any dinner last night. Then you’re telling me what has you so upset, and there’s no getting out of it this time.”
Both women added food to their plates and fixed their tea before settling in. After a few bites of toast, Priscilla set her food aside, stomach still churning.
“I fell in love with him,” she said abruptly, not daring to look Elise in the eye.
“I figured as much. Only trouble in love could set you off your food. Tell me what sent you running,” she said softly.
Priscilla’s eyes began to well again, and she just shook her head. “I never should have gone there. It wasn’t supposed to be real between us, so there was no reason for me to join him and his family. But they are so lovely, for the most part. And I just had to see if there was a chance, if we could make it into something real. I knew it was a risk and that I’d likely end up miserable and crying, just like this. But I held on to the tiniest bit of hope . . . I had to try.”
“Of course you did,” Elise said reassuringly, ever the good friend. “But he couldn’t meet you the way you hoped for?”
“No, he couldn’t. I’m convinced his feelings run as deep as mine, he’s just too stubborn to admit it to himself,” Priscilla said vehemently.
“But I know he felt something. He must, to have been so gentle with me.” Lost in thought, she didn’t immediately catch the expression that crossed Elise’s face.
“Oh, Priscilla. You did end up having an affair with him, didn’t you?” she said.
