Laura struggled into her dressing gown. “You assured me they were gone. Is it too much to ask for an explanation for your nightly sojourns?”
“You have been searching for me?” He slowly shook his head. “Have I made a mistake bringing you here?”
Laura inhaled sharply as anger and dismay coiled in her stomach. “Mother said your reason for marrying me was because you need an heir. Was that the only reason?”
His laugh was brittle. “I married you because I wanted you here with me. I wanted to spend my life with you.” He raked his fingers through his hair, and a lock fell over his forehead, making him appear less self-assured. “After everything, I thought fate owed me some happiness. Perhaps I’ve been wrong.”
She stared at him, captured by his words. He had wanted her. Now it seemed he wished hehadn’t.
“Until those responsible for this are put in jail, I must ask this of you.” His eyes imploredher.
“What should I fear, Nathaniel? I’ve heard noises during the night, and there was someone in the room down the corridor.”
Nathaniel’s eyes widened. “Which room?”
“Amanda’s bedchamber.”
He shook his head. “You must be imagining it. It’s an empty room.”
“I tell you there was someone there. I saw their shadow move beneath the door.”
He pulled her to her feet. “Come and show me.”
Nathaniel opened Amanda’s door as Laura’s chest tightened. He stepped inside. “Damnation!”
She started at the violence of his reaction. “What is it?”
“I gave orders for all of this to be packed away before you came to Wolfram.”
“But when you saw me come out of this room you said nothing.”
“I believed it to be empty.” His hands on her shoulders, he gazed down at her. “Honestly, sweetheart.”
“It wasn’t you then?” she asked, giddy with relief. All of Amanda’s possessions, her jewelry and perfume still covered the dresser. Chilled, Laura noticed that a lacy sky-blue gown had been taken from the armoire, and now lay across a chair, as if about to be worn. “And someone has been back here again. You didn’t arrange this room like a shrine to her memory?”
Nathaniel stared at her as if she was mad. “Good God, no.”
She swallowed. “You aren’t still in love with Amanda?” Her voice dropped to a huskywhisper.
“What on earth made you think I was?” With a bitter laugh, he swung away from her to sort through the jewelry on the dresser. Amanda’s expensive perfume wafted into the air, and he turned with a grimace. “I must speak to Rudge.” He put his arm around Laura’s shoulders and ushered her from thebedroom.
“Who visits this room then, Nathaniel?”
He shook his head. “I’ve no idea. Go back to your bedroom, Laura; call your maid to help you dress. I’ll be in the breakfast room.”
Lightheaded, Laura hurried to obey. It was not Nathaniel. But his bitter laugh, so filled with emotion, did little to set her mind atrest.
She dressed in her favorite jade-green gown with the French gilt buttons for added courage. Determined to appear calm, she entered the breakfast room where Rudge stood beforeNathaniel.
Rudge bowed. “Your usual breakfast, my lady?”
She doubted she could eat a bite. “A piece of fruit, thank you, Rudge.”
When Rudge left them, Nathaniel gazed at her, appreciation in his eyes. “You look very pretty in that shade of green.” He poured her a cup of coffee. Strong, the way she likedit.
“I could do with this.” Laura sipped the reviving brew, her nerve endings thrumming. “You questioned Rudge?”
“I did.” Nathaniel buttered his toast. “He’d given orders for Mina, Amanda’s maid, to clear the room and box up its contents. They were to be placed in the attic. But after she left Wolfram, he hadn’t checked to see if the work was done. He’s very remorseful and will see the room is emptied today.”
