Two days later, Merry’s father came to fetch her home. Mr. Hargrove expressed gratitude for their sensitive and adroit handling of the awkward affair. He hoped they were not overly inconvenienced by his wayward daughter. Mrs. Hargrove and he looked forward to them attending the wedding, which was sure to be a much happier occasion. “You must stay at Roseleaf Manor,” he said, with a warm smile. “My wife and I would be delighted.”
When she and Robert entered the house having seen them on their way, Robert turned to her, one hand on the banister rail. “I am grateful for your handling of this business, Kate. It was skillful as Hargrove said. And all the praise must go to you. I was blind to the true circumstances. It might have turned out quite differently.”
She hated to see chagrin in his eyes. “Women tend to confide in each other more, Robert,” she said, “that’s all.”
“A blessing in this instance.” He stood aside for her to pass him.
Kate picked up her skirts and ascended the stairs, knowing he would disappear into the library for hours. She took no joy in being proved right. She’d been at fault, too. Why hadn’t she confided in him? She feared she’d wanted to punish him in some way, which would’ve been very shabby indeed. If he could only sense how much she yearned to reach out to him. But on reaching the next floor, he nodded to her before disappearing through the library door.
Peace settled over the house again. Kate missed Merry’s bright voice and appealing laugh. She had not had time to speak to Brigitte about the episode in the park and now called for her. When the maid appeared, Kate told her how disappointed she was that Brigitte had abandoned Merry to a fortune hunter. “You were asked to accompany her for a reason. And that was to ensure she was not open to scandal.”
“But, my lady, Miss Hargrove insisted I leave her,” the French maid said. “I had to do as she wished.”
“You should have remained within sight. You were nowhere to be seen. And you did not return to the house for some hours.”
Brigitte twisted her fingers and fell silent.
“Can you give me a reason why I shouldn’t dismiss you?”
“It was wrong of me. I’m truly sorry, my lady. It won’t happen again.”
“I expect there’ll be no opportunity for it to happen again,” Kate admitted, relenting. Merry could be difficult she knew only too well. She was not pleased with Brigitte, but it wasn’t reason enough to dismiss her. “I’ll overlook it this time.”
Brigitte bobbed. “Thank you, my lady.”
There were no social engagements this evening. Robert had gone riding in the morning and was now in the library interviewing a man for the position of steward for one of his properties. Kate spent most of the afternoon alone in her chamber reading.
The previous evening, she and Robert had attended a concert where the famous mezzo-soprano, Girolamo Crescentini performed. His hauntingly beautiful voice had moved her to tears. Everything seemed to affect her these days, from the rose and violet tints in the sky at dusk, to a dew-drenched cobweb sparkling like a diamond necklace in the garden. Despite offering her rare praise, Robert had shown no inclination to change their circumstances. Kate worried that he still didn’t trust her.
As the days passed, Kate began to feel very tired and wasn’t entirely sure she could continue this way for much longer.
