Sophie clasped her hands before her. “Something is wrong. It’s not because Rose and Georgie are gone.”
Ellie glanced at Beacham, thankful that Sophie always spoke quietly. Unfortunately, Sophie was far too observant and wouldn’t stop asking until she was satisfied. “Beacham, Lady Sophie and I will take tea in my glass terrace.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Shall we?” Ellie held her arm out toward the grand staircase.
Sophie ascended beside her, not saying a word, the white skirts of her dress swishing as they climbed.
Her friend’s loyalty and caring almost undid her, but Ellie managed to keep her wits about her until they entered the terrace. Then, as if being called to it, she walked to the wall ofglass and stared out at the north wood…where Darius hid from her.
Sophie joined her but said nothing.
They stood there for at least fifteen minutes, Ellie not sure how she could explain her unhappiness.
At the sound of the door opening, she directed the footman to set the tea service on a small table she’d added to the space. Moving to it, she poured the tea, making sure that Sophie’s had extra cream and no sugar, as she liked it.
Sophie lifted her cup and sipped, smiling at the taste, but not saying a word.
Ellie knew that her friend could go a whole day without uttering a sound and feel completely content. That, coupled with her patience, meant if Ellie didn’t say something, there would be no further discussion. On the one hand, that was tempting, but the pain inside her needed to be released, and Sophie was such a good listener.
“He’d hiding from me.”
“Your husband?”
“Yes.” She turned her head to look out the glass, waving her hand toward it. “Out there in the north wood in an old bathhouse. He told me he had to travel and attend to business, but he’s been there all this time. He’s still there. Even after I found him last night.”
Sophie touched the side of her jaw with two fingers. “Is it perhaps that he hides from your guests? Some people prefer not to interact with others very much. After all, there were three of us.”
That hadn’t occurred to Ellie. “He seemed to be fine when we went visiting.”
“Yes, but that is not the same as having guests in your house, constantly underfoot.” Sophie gave her a small smile.
She grimaced. “That’s true. It could also be why he didn’t wish to host a Twelfth Night ball. But if that were it, why could he not tell me? I would understand. He certainly didn’t need to lie to me.”
“It may be much like the reason you haven’t told him about your tendency to knock into things. Or he may have thought you’d be insulted that he didn’t wish to be around us.”
Again, that was a plausible answer. Just as she began to feel a bit better, she remembered the first time he’d gone “on business.” Was thattrulybusiness?
She shook her head. “It can’t be that simple. When I discovered him, he kept telling me I had to leave and that he’d tell me why he was there when he returned to the house. He was frantic about it, and even yelled and cursed.”
Sophie’s green eyes widened. “Then it must be something extremely important. He does not appear a gentleman to put aside formality and appropriateness unless it’s absolutely necessary.”
Ellie blew out air between her closed lips. “He was a completely different person. He told me he had to protect me.” She shook her head again, rising from her seat, the uncomfortable feeling starting in her belly again. “Why would he tell me that lying to me and sending me away was toprotectme? It doesn’t make sense. Something untoward is happening. And he’s keeping it from me, his wife.” She walked to the glass and stared at the north wood, the sun shining happily on the barren trees and dried grass, making everything slightly yellow.
“Many men keep things from their wives.”
At Sophie’s comment, Ellie turned. “I know. It’s just that it didn’t seem like he would. He even told me about his late wife and their unhappy marriage. What could be worse than that?”
Sophie looked away.
“No, it’s not a mistress. I had thought that too. But the only person who was with him was the gamekeeper.” Remembering that had Ellie growing angry again. “Others have known where he was hiding, when I, his wife, have not. If I hadn’t seen the lights flickering in the trees last night while here using my telescope, I would still not know. Yet his servants know. I’m not sure I can forgive him for that. What do they think of me that they keep his secret fromme?” Her voice was rising, but she couldn’t help it.
Sophie rose from her chair and walked to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re hurt.”
Her eyes began to tear. “I am. He thought I was wonderful. No one has ever thought that.” Sophie opened her mouth, but Ellie held up her hand. “Except for my dear classmates. He’s even grateful I’m in his life. He said so. Hetoldme that. But he couldn’t tell me he was hiding? And why is he hiding from me?” She looked at her friend, wishing she could make the pain go away.
“You love him.”
