He knew that it was dangerous to be out in the storm, but he had no intention of waiting another night to see Blythe. He also wasn’t surprised that no one else was here, which made it perfect for a private conversation.
When he left the gambling room barefooted and wearing only trousers and a linen shirt, he crossed to the drawing room.
“I fixed you a plate of food.” Blythe smiled and gestured to a low table before the settee and chairs. He took the chair directly across from her. “Thank you.”
“I have decided to close Athena’s Salon for the night,” she advised him.
“I hope you are not going to make me leave.” He wouldn’t, even if she wanted him to.
“Of course not.” Blythe chuckled.
They ate in silence as the servants cleared the dishes from the buffet then cleaned the table and one by one, they disappeared except for one footman who remained behind the counter ready to serve any beverage they wished.
“You are dismissed, Dennis. We will not need you tonight.”
He stepped around the bar and nodded. “Thank you, Lady Blythe.”
“Enjoy supper in the kitchen.”
And then, they were alone. “I am glad that we will be able to continue our discussion in private.”
Lightning flashed, momentarily lighting up the front of the house before a loud clap of thunder followed.
Blythe jumped.
There had been rumblings while he hurried, traveling here, but the storm had definitely increased.
Rain and hail pelted the windows and dampness from the outside seemed to seep into the room.
“You said that you came to look for me. I believe that is where we left off.”
Blythe frowned, questions in her blue eyes. Did she not recall their last conversation?
“I wanted to know why you left me without even saying goodbye. You said that it was because you were free, widowed, but you also claimed that you wanted to, and tried and went to find me. I know that you did not because I would have remembered seeing you. So, Blythe, why did you leave me without saying goodbye?”
She rose from her seat and crossed to the bar where she poured herself a glass of brandy and returned with the bottle.
“Four days after the Battle of Waterloo I went to find you. I assumed you were unharmed but could not be certain. We were getting word of so many casualties that I needed to know that you were well.” She took a sip from her glass. “But, before I could find you, I encountered a man from my husband’s regiment and that was when I learned that John was dead.”
“Therefore, you were free and there was no reason to remain in Brussels.” He hadn’t wanted his tone to be harsh, but he was still angry that he returned to the room they had shared to learn that it was occupied by another couple, and the look in Mrs. Dismet’s eyes when she realized that Blythe had left him, her husband.
“I wanted to tell you that as well, but I will be honest that I was shocked, surprised. John had always managed to avoid danger so I never really thought he would be killed. For all I knew he had already sold his commission and was gone before the battle began, so it took a moment…more than a moment to realize that I was a widow.”
Orlando could understand her shock, but that was not an excuse for her leaving him without a word.
“I then went to look for you and was directed to The Farm of Mont St. Jean.”
Orlando groaned. He knew what she had witnessed before she even reached the building. They were still removing bullets from men who had been shot.
“There were so many men, injured and suffering. The blood, stench, cries of pain…anguish…despair and fear.”
“You should not have been forced to witness such.” She was the sheltered daughter of a duke and even if she had followed the drum, she still should have been protected from the realities of war.
“I wanted to stop and give comfort, but there were so many and it was so overwhelming that I couldn’t…I was lost…helpless…Then I saw you exit the building, your hands, arms and chest covered in blood, face pale and drawn. You looked as if you’d aged at least ten years since I had last seen you only a sennight earlier.”
“I am sorry you witnessed the horror.”
“I am not,” she admitted. “I think it helped me understand.”
