He spun to search it out. “It’s me.”
The bird was eerily silent.
Determined to have one success this night, he let his gaze roam over every branch within his view. Not seeing the elusive bird, he moved a couple of yards and searched more trees. Finally, he found it, sitting on a branch as if the weather was of no import. Its head swiveled away from him before it turned its fathomless gaze back upon him.
“I’m far too big to be your prey and far too limited to be a threat. I am no more than a curiosity. You do not realize that you live here in this wood by my munificence. I envy you, envy your lack of self-awareness.”
The owl blinked before turning its head to the side. Within seconds it took flight, swooping between the branches, soaring beyond sight.
“I envy you your flight, too.” Darius shivered, the cold making itself known from his feet to his fingers. As he strode back through the wood to the small clearing where his hideaway sat, he crossed another way to die off his mental list. Dying from exposure would be a horrific way to go.
He quickly opened the door, stepped inside, and closed it against the cold. Walking directly to the fireplace, he stopped before it. Pulling his cold shirt from his body, he threw it on the chair previously vacated by Archer then stripped off his pantaloons before sitting on his clothes and removing his wet stockings. Naked, he rose and stood before the warmth of the fire, but it wasn’t enough.
He stepped to the simple bed and wrapped the large quilt around him, intending to return to the fire. Sleep would be welcome, a relief from his dark thoughts for a short while. He looked to the clock. It was not yet midnight. Groaning, he sat on the bed. At least eight more hours of darkness to close in on him, swallow him up, and prove his worthlessness.
Archer knew not what was in his heart. Half of it must surely be dead already, putrefied by his disappointing past and hopeless future. He didn’t deserve to live. What man resented his dead wife for pushing him away after discovering his secret? He even resented that she had died before him. It wasn’t fair. She was meant to live, to ensure his son lived. Now he had to stay alive. Why could nothing go as he’d planned?
He lay down, still wrapped in the quilt like a caterpillar in a cocoon. If only he could awake and rise like a butterfly, or even as a moth, attracted to the light only to burn in the flames of its fire.
Either was acceptable to him.
Chapter Five
Eleanor sealed herletter to Sophie and rang the bell for a footman. She hoped some of the Curious Ladies would accept her invitation before they went home on their break. After a sennight without them and no husband, she was feeling a little lonely. She hadn’t realized how much she relied on the company of her friends.
“Yes, my lady?”
She snapped her head around, having not heard Beacham enter the parlor. “Oh, I just needed to send this letter to Sliver Meadows.”
“I will have it done at once.” Beacham held out his hand.
She lifted the letter, but didn’t give it to him. “Have you heard when my husband expects to be home?”
“No, I haven’t. But I’m sure it will be soon. He doesn’t always let us know in advance.”
“I see.” Actually, she didn’t. “Does he often leave so suddenly, or has something happened?”
“I cannot say, my lady. But it is not unusual for him to leave. He does have many responsibilities.”
“Yes, of course. I will converse with him on the matter when he returns. It was just so unexpected, so soon after our marriage. I did expect we would meet his neighbors.”
Beacham, who continued to hold his hand out, didn’t blink. “I’m sure he was planning for that, my lady. My lord is very attuned to the social requirements of his position.”
Though it hadn’t been a rebuke, she felt as if she’d cast doubt upon Darius’s ability to fulfill his responsibilities. She should never have said anything, as usual. She placed the letter in the butler’s hand. “Thank you, Beacham.”
The man took the letter, gave her a nod, and turned on his heel.
“And Beacham?”
He halted then turned back to face her. “Yes, my lady?”
“Alert the nursemaid that I will be taking Maggie and Peter for a walk in the garden at noon. They need some fresh air.”
The man’s eyebrows twitched as if he’d been about to raise them but refrained. “There was frost on the ground this morning.”
She waved away his concern. “So there was. But it has melted, and the sun is shining. The children need to walk outside today.”
“Of course.” Once again, the man gave a nod and turned, leaving the parlor as quietly as he’d come.
