“Neither do I.”
“In fact—” Tabitha giggled, “I think he quite enjoys being here. I think he still has feelings for you.”
Diana’s face still burned with embarrassment. “If he does, then I pity the poor fool.”
“Do you want me to take him back home? I can wear the same clothes I wore when I kidnapped him, and people wouldn’t think anything differently when I drive into town.”
Diana placed her hand over Tabitha’s. “You should not be going into town at all. We don’t need Lord Elliot seeing you by accident. I shudder to think what he would do to you if he knew you were here with me now. At night is different since you could hide better and dress in men’s clothes, but day time…” She shook her head.
Tabitha frowned. “You are right, my lady. If I leave the house at all, it should be late at night when I can remain in the shadows.”
“Quite right. Until Lady Dashwood finds employment for you in London or farther away, the best place for you to hide is right here.”
“I thank you, Lady Hollingsworth. You have such a large heart for wanting to help me escape my nightmare.”
“Think nothing of it.” She smiled then returned to stirring the eggs in the pan over the stove.
“Did everything go smoothly last night?” Tabitha asked leaning closer to Diana as her voice lowered.
Diana took a quick peek toward the door, grateful it was closed. When she met Tabitha’s stare, she nodded. “Yes, thank the Lord. Sally was beaten severely and I fear it will take her several days or even weeks to heal. Her soul, however, might take longer.”
Tabitha blinked rapidly as tears filled her eyes. “I should have stayed there. I’m older and stronger than Sally. I could handle Lord Elliot much better.”
Diana clasp hands with her maid. “Don’t say such things. No woman should have to endure such beatings, and no woman—even you—could have fought off Lord Elliot.”
“What are you going to do, Lady Hollingsworth? Single-handedly rescue all the servants who are beaten by their masters and place them in other homes?”
“If I have to, yes.”
“But Lord Elliot and other men like him will always hire more servants.”
“Then perhaps the key is to get rid of those lords instead.”
Tabitha’s lips twitched before she laughed. “Oh, you are humorous and you have an evil mind. Is it bad of me to want to help you rid the world of men like Lord Elliot?”
Diana chuckled. “Not at all, so long as we don’t really act upon our feelings, mind you.”
“Of course not, my lady. Hanging is not something that sounds appealing at all.”
“I agree. But Tabitha, I don’t want to talk about this any further. Lord Tristan cannot know that Sally is here.”
Tabitha narrowed her eyes. “Do you think he’ll try to return her?”
“No. I just don’t want him knowing what we are doing.”
“He will not hear it from my lips.” Tabitha nodded.
Diana turned back to the pan on the stove, stirring the scrambled eggs occasionally. Her heart wrenched with sadness for Sally’s plight. The poor girl had been beaten terribly. One eye was swollen shut. Cuts and bruises from Lord Elliot’s fists had marred the girl’s face, making her unrecognizable.
Deep down inside, Diana knew she couldn’t free every girl from a life such as this, but it shouldn’t be for a lack of courage. While married to Ludlow, Diana had cried herself to sleep too many nights. The more she fought his vicious attacks, the harder he hit her. Finally, she’d lost all ability to resist. Thankfully, he tired of her quickly when she was that way, but it hadn’t lessened the pain any.
Just as breakfast was done cooking, Tristan sauntered into the kitchen, appearing more handsome than ever. It wasn’t the way he dressed that made him more attractive—since she hadn’t thought to bring him more clothes—but it was the way his eyes sparkled when he smiled at her. His blue orbs nearly melted her to a puddle on the floor.
“Good morning, Lord Tristan,” Tabitha greeted cheerfully.
Diana threw her maid a wary stare. Why was the girl acting in such a way… and flirty?
“It is a very good morning, Tabitha.” He switched his eyes to Diana. “Here, let me assist you with those.”
