“What did you do today?” he asked.
“Read.” She smiled. “And planned.”
His stomach tightened. It was foolish and irrational but he did not want her to leave. “What have you decided?”
“Not so much what I am going to do next but it was more preparing for the future.” Blythe crossed to the armoire and drew out a small box and removed jewelry. “I would like for you to sell these for me,” she announced.
“You may need them or want them later.”
“I need the money more,” she insisted.
“I will take care of you Blythe,” he promised.
“I am not your responsibility and I will reimburse you for the inn and any other funds you spend on me. I must be responsible for myself as much as a woman is allowed. I do not want to be taken care of any longer.”
He did understand more than she knew. If his own mother would have had resources to support herself, she might not have…he did not want to think about when he was a boy and pushed the memories aside.
“I will take them to a jeweller and sell them for you tomorrow or the next day.”
“Thank you. I need you to sell everything but the sapphire. That needs to remain with me.”
“The guests were gathering for dinner when I arrived. Are you ready to go down?”
She shook out her gown and smiled. “Yes. I am rather hungry after a day of doing little besides reading.”
“You do appear more relaxed.”
“I am, but I am also just as certain that I could grow bored with nothing but leisure.”
“You likely have not rested since you arrived, therefore you deserve to do nothing but read,” he assured her, then opened the door to escort her down to the parlor.
Blythe was more relaxed today than she had been yesterday. Of course, that had been a difficult day, but he was glad to see her recovered from the ordeal.
The other guests greeted them politely, but as before, while conversation continued around the dinner table, Blythe said little. She listened, nodded, laughed and responded in whatever manner was appropriate, but she did not contribute. Was she more a listener than a talker? Or was that dependent on the company she shared. Quiet at dinner last night but she was quite open about her marriage to the lieutenant when they were alone.
Maybe she was not quick to befriend. Or maybe she was just selective of who she confided in but he had earned her trust.
After dinner was concluded, he did not remain with the men for brandy but escorted Blythe back to the chamber. He had no interest in debating or speculating on Napoleon when he could be alone with Blythe and come to know her better.
After he shut the door of the chamber she turned to him. “Will it be the same tonight? Will you remain until everyone is asleep?”
“If you do not mind.” It never occurred to him to ask.
“No, of course not, but what shall we do?”
It was a shame that she was married because he could think of more pleasant ways to spend the evening than talking, but she was, so Orlando pushed his desire for this beautiful woman way. “Continue to come to know each other. The more we know the less likely we will make a mistake when speaking with the other guests.”
“Very well then, what would you like to know?”
“Tell me about your family. It would be expected that I would have met them.”
“Only if you tell me about yours first, she countered.”
“Ah, but I asked first,” he returned. “And you did ask me what I would like to know,” he reminded her.
Besides, he was not ready to discuss his siblings because he knew that he would tell her lies and he wasn’t ready to do so even though he had little choice.
Chapter Eight
