“Ah, yes, thank you Niles.” Her eyes appeared somewhat dazed. For her to have slipped and addressed him by his Christian name, she must be experiencing understandable distress.
He’d not offer his sympathies. In good conscience, he could not.
Nodding at the others in the room, he bowed and slipped out of the house. His carriage awaited. His office was situated within walking distance, but he hadn’t wanted to delay the meeting any longer than necessary.
And now he had a journey to plan. He’d allow two days for travel in case of bad weather or difficulties. She’d ride in her own carriage, and he’d ride outside. All propriety would be observed.
January Rain
“Mr. Waverly has arrived, and the coach is ready outside.”
Eve nodded toward her maid as she drew her favorite gloves on. They fit her perfectly, gliding over her hands to slide in place snugly like a second skin.
She would not make him wait. She knew other ladies made it a point to always be tardy, and that bothered her. It was disrespectful. And this was business, her business, for which he was paid handsomely to attend to, and she needed to maintain a good relationship.
Jean Luc had been perpetually late. Even before his injury.
Eve glanced at Lucy but then turned again to study her more closely. Her skin seemed a little greener than normal, and she clutched her arms around her abdomen. “Are you not well, Lucy?”
The young woman sniffed. “Feeling queasy, I’m afraid.” And then she pivoted and disappeared hastily into the dressing room.
Sounds of her maid’s stomach discontent emerged all too clearly.
Eve frowned. This created something of a quandary. She hadn’t considered traveling without a female companion.
Rhoda and Lord Carlisle would have already left for Miss Primm’s.
She tapped her finger on her lips, contemplating her options, and then winced as more sounds of retching reached her ears.
They could delay travel — wait another day or two.
But Eve felt an urgency… She’d be quite uneasy, delaying in London, unable to look into her new situation.
She would travel today and have Lucy follow later. The luggage coach could be delayed until the maid was well enough to travel.
Decision made, she conveyed the new plans to her wan looking maid, retrieved her small valise, and made her way downstairs to meet Mr. Waverly.
Fifteen minutes late.
At her appearance, his brows rose. Of course, she’d never made him wait before.
“My maid has taken ill,” she explained. “I’ll be traveling without a companion.”
His brows rose even further at this announcement.
“Very well.” Of course, he’d not question her. He was in her employ, after all. “Might I suggest we postpone? The western sky is dark, and my assistant says his hands and knees are paining him. In the past, these two factors have always signified an approaching storm.”
She did not want to wait.
“Is it raining now?” The weather had been too warm for snow.
“Not yet, Mrs. Mossant.” His face remained impassive.
Eve did not want to be detained at home with so much awaiting her in Pebble’s Gate. “I’d rather not delay our travel.”
“Very well.”
Mr. Waverly took up her small valise and held the door wide. A gust tore into the foyer and indeed, the air smelled like rain.
