Was I really that obvious?
Rachel sighed, shaking her head as she lifted the teacup to her lips.
Shecouldn’tadmit it aloud, but tonight she wanted to celebrate because she finallyfeltlike Simon’s wife.
Tonight would be perfect.
Rachel took a deep breath, holding onto that thought, refusing to let doubt creep in.
Simon would come home.
And when he did, she would be waiting for him.
“Shall I have the kitchen prepare another round of warm dishes, Your Grace?”
Rachel flinched at the sound of the maid’s voice. She had been staring at the dining room doors for so long—half expecting them to swing open at any moment—that the maid’s interruption startled her entirely.
“No. That will not be necessary.” She took a slow breath and shook her head.
The words were only calm at the surface, but a sense of disappointment gnawed at her on the inside.
Where was he?
“Your Grace, perhaps His Grace is simply delayed. Shall I ask the footmen to keep watch for his arrival?” the maid asked, sensing the need of the moment.
Rachel’s lips curved into something that might have resembled a smile had it not been so tight. “I do not wish to trouble anyone. His Grace knows where the dining room is, should he decide to make an appearance.”
The maid’s gaze flickered toward the untouched feast laid out before them, and Rachel found herself getting embarrassed again. Everything she had ordered with such enthusiasm that morning, believing—foolishly—that tonight would mark a shift in her marriage.
“Very well, Your Grace,” the maid said after a long pause, her voice careful. “Shall I have the staff clear the table?
“Yes,” Rachel swallowed, willing herself to ignore the ache in her chest. She had waited long enough. “Put everything away.”
The maid nodded and gestured for the footmen to begin. Silver trays clattered softly against fine china as the meal was whisked away. So much for all the effort that had been put into it.
“That will be all for the evening.” Rachel rose from her seat, pressing her hands together to steady herself.
The maid hesitated, looking unsure whether or not she should leave.
“If I may… is there anything I can bring you? A tray, perhaps?” she asked carefully, watching Rachel’s face for any sign of what she truly wanted.
My husband,Rachel thought to herself.If you bring him, that would be most appreciated.
She opted not to say that out loud.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “That will not be necessary.”
The maid dipped into a bow, but before she turned to leave, Rachel caught the careful way she looked at her—as if debating whether to say something more.
”It is only dinner,” Rachel said lightly, though the words felt heavy. “There will be another.”
At this point, she was only trying to mask her disappointment.
“You are late.”
Rachel’s voice was quiet and tired. It was well past midnight, and she had been waiting by the door for her husband to arrive back home all this time.
“I had business,” Simon said simply, as if that explanation was enough.
