“You have eaten enough,” he said, abruptly. He dropped his fork and cleared his throat. “I should leave now.”
“Oh,”she slid out of his lap, flushed.
He got up then, regarding her for a moment. “There is one thing that you ought to know.”
“Y…yes?”
“Lady Linwood. She’ll be arriving this evening.”
“Lady Linwood,” she said finally, hoping to lighten the mood. “Your aunt? She’s the one the staff say you’re closest to?”
Simon’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Is that what they say about her? I suppose that’s right,” he said simply.
Rachel nodded and decided to keep the rest of her queries to herself for now.
He had already announced his departure, and it would be a futile attempt to ask him now. Of course, she wished to know more about him. But Simon Linwood had his own ways of doing things. He shared only what he chose to and never more than was necessary.
“I’ll make sure the house is ready to welcome her,” Rachel said instead.
“That won’t be necessary. The staff knows what to do.”
She nodded again, feeling the distance between them grow.
“Go on. Prepare for the day.”
He was about to leave when she stopped him again, not being able to help herself.
“I heard something interesting from the staff.”
Simon arched a brow. “Oh? And what has the staff been telling you?” His tone was not suspicious, only curious.
“Is Lady Linwood… well, the aunt that you inherited your title from?”
“Yes. I am not sure why that is relevant, however, in any way?”
“I am just attempting to understand you better. From what I heard from the staff… they said you weren’t the late duke’s son.” She glanced at him hesitantly. “So this is the aunt in question?”
“Have you been interviewing the staff to glean information about me?”
“No,” she said immediately. “Well, not like that. I suppose I have to get it somewhere, considering how little you tell me yourself.”
“Fair play then.” Once again, she could not tell if he was upset or not. His expression remained thoroughly—and frustratingly—neutral.
“So, then?” she prodded gently.
“It is correct,” he said curtly.
She hesitated, unsure whether to push further, but her curiosity won out. “Do you have other family, then? Brothers? Sisters?”
“No.”
“What about your parents?”
“They are no longer alive,” he said in a blunt tone.
Immediately, Rachel felt remorse at having posed such a question. She did not wish to bring up any unpleasant memories for him. His tone was harsh, and she could tell that her question had not been welcomed.
“I am sorry,” she said immediately. She tried to reach out and touch his arm. Her touch was the only way that she felt that she could convey some feeling of comfort towards him. But he moved out of the way. “I did not mean to bring up something you do not wish to discuss.”
