“The man who accompanied me—” That was how she referred to Kit. “He was playing cards and he used Papa’s shuffle.”
“His shuffle?” Michael asked.
Gwendolyn started to explain but then decided it was too difficult, and a deck of cards was found. She expertly executed the shuffle.
Michael looked to Dara. “Can you do that?”
“Only Gwendolyn,” his wife answered. “And apparently this, ah, man.” She looked to Elise. “Does this man have a name?”
Kit.“Mr. Cox.”
Her sisters exchanged glances. Elise remained still. Had they heard what she hadn’t said? Her sisters could be remarkably perceptive.
“What happened next?” Tweedie prodded in the sudden silence.
“He took me to Moorcock. I found Father. Mr. Steele found me.” They didn’t need to know anything else.
“Took you?” Dara prodded.
Elise didn’t answer. But she wanted to add that soon Kit would come for her. She knew he would.
“You’ve changed.”
Elise gave a sharp glance to Gwendolyn. “In what way?”
Her oldest sister didn’t answer. Dara did. “You’ve matured... but there is something else.” She had a knowing look in her eye.
“She’s had quite an ordeal.” Tweedie spoke as if there would be nothing more said. She rose. She was using her walking cane. “Come, I am ready for my supper. It is past time.”
And that was it. They all walked into the dining room.
Elise begged a moment to wash and change.
“Let me show you the room,” Gwendolyn said.
Tamsyn followed Elise up the stairs. Where once Elise had shared a room with Dara, shenow shared with Gwendolyn. The room they had been given was the first door on the right side of the stairs.
Molly had poured water into the pitcher. Elise filled the basin. The soap was violet-scented, one of Gwendolyn’s favorite fragrances. Elise washed, took out her serviceable green day dress from the wardrobe, and changed. She then used Gwendolyn’s brush for her hair. She started to braid it, but then realized she was too tired. It had been a long, hard journey... and she was right back where she’d begun.
She looked around the room. “If we aren’t careful, it will be as if you and I never knew Kit,” she warned Tamsyn. “But he will come for us. He will.”
Elise just wished she knew when.
She went down the stairs to join her family for supper.
***
Every day, Elise waited for Kit to come for her.
Tamsyn kept watch beside her.
Time passed slowly with one day flowing into another. A week. Then two weeks.
Her sisters encouraged Elise to accompany them around town. They wanted her to be seen and quell any gossip.
“Lady Byrne has been spreading the vilest innuendoes,” Dara warned.
“I overheard Helen Byrne tell Lady Alice Pinwood that you had some dreaded disease,” Gwendolyn said with exasperation. “I practically boxed the girl’s ears. It will be some time before Helen makes such a false claim about you again.”
