“We’ve emigrated,” Frau von Ostenfeld explained.
“Oh my goodness,” the countess declared.“What an unfortunate circumstance.”
Lise and her mother shared a glance at the odd welcome.
“The French occupation of our homeland became intolerable,” Frau von Ostenfeld explained.
“I’m sorry to hear it,” Lady Castleton said with genuine concern.“Though we’re glad to have you here safely.”Her gaze moved to Lise.“Your brother was with you before, I recall?”
“Indeed, yes, my lady.He has been assigned to training near the Channel and is staying in a barracks in Hythe,” she added.But Lise didn’t want to speak of Henrik.
Yet before she could ask about Jonathan, her mother added, “I believe my son will be sent to the Peninsula in the new year.”
“A brave young man,” Lady Castleton said, offering a sympathetic pursing of her lips and tilting of her head from one mother to another.Then she sipped her tea, leaned back and sighed.
Lise nearly screamed with frustration.Did the countess really not understand how desperate she was for news of Jonathan?And her own mother was delaying the only topic Lise cared about.
“Please, Lady Castleton,” Lise began.“I believe Lord Bowen returned safely, but can you confirm it?Has the viscount's life returned to its normal course?”A life that didn’t include hiding in hay lofts and being imprisoned in wine cellars.
A weighted silence fell over the room, making Lise’s pulse start to race.
“He is well, is he not?”she asked, knowing her tone was anxious.
“Ah,” Lady Castleton said knowingly, her gray gaze moving over Lise with new understanding.“I see.”
Lise’s feared her cheeks were as ruddy as fresh July tomatoes under Jonathan’s mother’s scrutiny.The lady probablydidsee, only too well.Undoubtedly, she’d also seen many other females declaring their interest in the viscount.
“He was quite well,” the countess began, “when last I saw him, which was only yesterday.”
Relief flooded through Lise so powerfully she felt dizzy.
“Thank God,” she whispered before she could stop herself.
Now both the older ladies stared at her.
Then Lady Castleton’s expression softened.“He was thinner when he came home than when he went away.And quite troubled and restless.I made him stay here for the first fortnight, so I could look after him personally.Once a mother, always a mother.”
She shook her head.Ringlets of the same dark brown as Jonathan’s hair swung side to side.
“He told his father and I of such harrowing tales, I didn’t want him ever to go away again.Not that I could stop him.If my son wants to go abroad, then he goes.”
“Of course,” Frau von Ostenfeld agreed.“The way I do not wish my son to go to Spain.”
Lise wished Jonathan’s mother had said she’d kept him under her roof until this very day.
“Do you think,” Lise’s voice came out barely above a whisper, “that I ...I mean, thatmy mother and Imight pay Lord Bowen a visit at his residence on Bedford Square?”
Another silence, this one longer and more uncomfortable than the first.The countess had the strangest look upon her face.
“I’m afraid not,” she said finally, surprising Lise.Did Jonathan’s mother not think her good enough?Was that why she’d been behaving so strangely?
“Paying my son a call is utterly impossible,” Lady Castleton continued.“Because he left London late yesterday, riding directly into the storm on a fool’s errand, it would seem.”
The words hit Lise like a physical blow.She’d come so close.If she’d sent word two days ago or even yesterday or called on the Castletons sooner ...
“How long will he be away?”she couldn’t help her miserable tone, looking down at her lap where she was twisting her gloves.It seemed she would have to be patient.
“I cannot say,” the countess replied.“The matter of his journey has just become more complicated.”
