“Lady Ellen’s really excited,” Reese said.
Someone called Kaitlyn’s name. “Oh, I think that’s Sir Hughes.” She gave Reese a quick hug. “Have fun.”
“You too.”
“Have you told Mr. Jem you’re leaving?” Lulu asked when Kaitlyn had gone.
“I haven’t talked with him today.” Reese put on her traveling hat. “His sister can tell him.”
“Seeing as you and him have been spending so much time together, it’s not good manners to leave and say nothing to him.” Lulu went to the desk and put a piece of paper on it. “Let me get the nib.”
“I can’t keep Lady Ellen waiting,” Reese said.
“She will understand, miss.” The maid took Reese’s elbow and pulled her to the desk. “Now you do this right.”
With a sigh, she sat on the chair. Nellie had both quill pens and an early version of the fountain pen in each of the bedrooms. Reese chose the more familiar fountain pen.
It wasn’t like she had much to say anyway.
Jem,
Ellen invited me to come back with her to Kellworth today, and I accepted. I’ll be gone a few days.
Reese paused, feeling like she ought to say something more but not sure what. Thanks for riding with me every day? Thanks for working out with me? Thanks for being my friend?
Thanks for kissing me senseless?
Her eyes stung, and she closed them. She hated drama, and here she was being a total drama queen. Enough of that.
Cyrus will be glad to have you to do things with again.
Reese
She blew on it to make sure it was dry before putting it in an envelope Lulu provided. Once it was sealed, Reese wrote Jem’s name on it.
“Will you see that he gets this?” She held it out to the maid.
“I’ll make sure his valet delivers it to him.” Lulu took the letter.
Numb, Reese said nothing and went out the door.
***
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Reese said as she joined Ellen in the entry.
“It was no problem.” Ellen squinted at her. “Are you well?”
“Just tired,” Reese said. “Nothing a good night’s rest won’t cure.” And a lot of days away from Jem.
“I understand. Aunt Nellie’s picnics always leave me happily fatigued.” Ellen took Reese’s arm. “I am excited to show you my home.”
“Yes, I am too.” As they walked down the stairs to the waiting carriage, Reese purposefully did not glance around for Jem, though it took all her willpower not to. A part of her wanted him to see her and . . . She let the thought die. He had his life, and she had hers. Her focus as they drove away was to get past the wrought-iron gates and leave Nellie’s house, and Jem, behind.
With the two maids sitting on seats outside on the back of the carriage, they were free to talk about whatever they wanted.
“My brother has written that he intends to bring some friends with him from London.” Ellen glanced down at her hands, her cheeks flushing. “He has said he would invite Mr. Jem to join the party.”
“He’ll like that,” Reese said, wondering how she would find an excuse to leave Kellworth just as Jem was arriving for a visit. And Ellen. The girl’s excitement was almost palpable. She must either be really lonely at home or really into Jem. Reese might need to find a gentle way to warn Ellen off him, but would she listen? He must seem like a much better prospect than Sir Slimy. Reese hoped the man wouldn’t be one of the Earl’s guests.
