Recollection returned—his sitting in the chair, his anger, his arms around her when she’d broken down. He probably despised her. No wonder he wasn’t here.
A timid knock sounded on the door. “My lady, it is Minnie.”
My lady.That was Leonie.
“Yes?” she said, reaching for the sheet to cover her modesty.
Minnie opened the door and came in, shutting it carefully behind her. “My lord said not to wake you but I thought I heard you moving.”
“I am awake,” Leonie assured her.
“I am to pack your things. My lord plans on leaving this afternoon.”
“He wantsmythings packed?”
“Why, yes, my lady. You are going with him, aren’t you?”
“Did he say that?” Leonie was afraid of the answer. What if the servants assumed and then discovered Roman didn’t want her? She couldn’t imagine confronting them, let alone all of London.
“Yes, my lady,” Minnie answered, a note of confusion coming to her tone.
Leonie didn’t know what to make of this information. Part of her was relieved and another part was apprehensive. “Where is his lordship?”
“He went out. He spoke to Mr. Yarrow. Would you like me to ask for specifics?”
“No, but don’t pack a thing until I’ve talked to my lord. And help me dress. I wish to bathe.” Yes, Leonie would bathe. She wanted to be at her very best when she spoke to Roman. She was guilty of many things but she needed to know if he was going to treat her as a wife, or an extra servant. She’d witnessed many a husband regard their wives in this manner. She believed it rude. She also didn’t know if she could serenely kowtow to his wishes. Such wasnother nature.
Minnie set to work ordering water for a bath prepared and helping Leonie choose what she should wear. She also ordered a tray to be sent to the room to break Leonie’s fast.
In an hour and a half’s time, Leonie was dressed in a rose-colored day gown. Minnie had twisted Leonie’s hair at the nape of her neck and held it in place with gold pins. Leonie was feeling she had some charge of her life. She sent Minnie to Yarrow to ask after Roman but the reply was not satisfactory. The butler was not certain of his whereabouts either.
Leonie stood in her room in indecision. Roman had said he’d known Arthur had raped her. He knew she was damaged goods, and yet he still expected her to accompany him? What other man would do such a thing? And why?
A timid knock on the door interrupted her. “Yes?”
At the imperial command, an even more cowed voice said, “My lady, Miss Holwell and Miss Reverly are here to see you.”
At the mention of her friends, Leonie started for the door, and then stopped. They had been invited to the wedding breakfast yesterday. They must be wondering what happened to her.
Her joy and relief at having her friends and confidantes call was tempered by the need to explain her absence from her own wedding breakfast. Her mind chewed furiously on the problem as she went downstairs.
Yarrow was in the front hall. He was directing servants as they put away silver and tidied up after yesterday’s party. Seeing her, he stopped midsentence and gave a small bow. “Good morning, my lady.” Yarrow gave great deference to her title and she knew he was pleased for her.
“Good morning,” she answered, a bit shy about the title. “Where is my mother?”
“The mistress is still abed, my lady.” He held two empty liquor decanters that he now handed over to a passing maid. “I found these under the chair in the receiving room.” His pointed comment let the maid know that he was not pleased with the cleaning that had been done in there.
“Yes, Mr. Yarrow. I will give it another look.”
“The countess has guests. You will wait until they leave.”
The maid shot a guilty look toward Leonie and slinked away.
Yarrow shook his head. “It was a fine event yesterday.”
“I heard,” Leonie said, thinking of the music and laughter that had served as a backdrop to her confrontation with her husband.
The strangest expression crossed Yarrow’s face. It was both sly and a bit embarrassed. Leonie didn’t know whether to question him or ignore the matter. She chose the latter.
