She’d known Eleanor would refuse, but Charles would make her see reason.
“I have set funds aside for London, but this, at least, is the dowry I promised you, Ellie. It’s not as much as I’d hoped, but Cuthbert has savings too, I’m sure, and you must start your lives somehow—buy livestock and furnishings, a fresh coat of paint for the walls. And when your firstborn comes, Ellie, I shall visit and shower my niece or nephew with kisses.” She smiledthrough her tears, wishing desperately to chase the look of pain off Eleanor’s face, for her sister stared back at her so dismally, so unhappily, Charles could not bear to see it.
“Now then.” She swallowed. “I promised myself no tears because of course I shall see you soon enough. And you a married woman at that.” She forced another smile. “Cuthbert is a good man, Ellie. I should never have doubted him, nor you. Forgive me.” She gripped her sister’s hands. “He ismorethan good enough for you, dearest, and I regret past words said. I wish you every happiness, truly.”
“Oh Charles, I can’t!” Eleanor burst into tears. “I cannot let you go again! This feels worse, even, than the night you left to steal those rotten chickens. Please don’t leave us. I beg you, reconsider. Cumberland is your home, Charles, not London, not?—!”
“Ellie, I must distance myself from Lord Wellesley, for my own sake. He is not so awful as you think him, truly, only I?—”
“Do you love him, Charles?” Eleanor could be bold, when she wished.
“Yes,” she admitted, “but he does not love me in kind. He is fond of me only, he cannot . . .”allow himself more, she wanted to say but did not. “He cannot love like mortals do, he is bound by ducal duty. And I cannot remain his mistress once he marries. I will not share him with another, Ellie, I cannot.” Charles held herself in check, having wept enough already.
“Of course you cannot, sister, for you are far too much like Papa, aren’t you?” Ellie looked at her with such feeling it made Charles ache. “You give too wholly of your heart. Yet you deserve happiness too, sister. You deserve tobelovedjust as passionately as you yourself love.”
“I shall be fine, Ellie. I always am.” Charles thrust out her chin. “Let me say goodbye to Papa now, and this you must give Cuthbert, please.” She handed her sister a note.
Eleanor looked, at last, resigned. “I’ll make you a quick plate, Charles, to hold you on your journey. It is several days to London. I’ll pack you provisions, too.”
“Thank you, Ellie.”
Charles trod softly to their father’s bedroom, to say farewell to Papa. She prayed it would not be forever.
“Cuthbert.” Wells pulled him aside. “Have you seen Miss Merrinan?”
John thought his lordship looked oddly aggrieved, considering the circumstance. They’d just seen the Duchess and Miss Mowry off, having loaded trunks and servants back into the ducal carriage. He’d expected Lord Wells to be relieved—not that either lady had looked terribly pleased during their send-off.
“No, sir,” John finally answered, still angry at Wells for snatching that last letter.
“If you see her, tell her I wish a word.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And John.” Wells hesitated. “You were right to call me out last night. I should not have spoken as I did.”
“I know, sir.”
“Ruby.” Wells caught the maid’s attention. “Have you seen Miss Merrinan? I require her assistance.”
“Miss Merrinan’s left, milord. Surely you’re aware, sir?”
“Surely I am not.” The force of his words made the girl pale. “What the devil do you mean she’s left?”
“Resigned, sir.” She looked nervous. “Said her oal fella were taken ill and needed tendin’. Left a note this morn. Said I were to take over her duties till your lordship found a new housekeeper, like.”
“A note? Do you have it? Give it me at once,” he demanded.
She reached into her pocket, hands shaking. “’Twere addressed t’ me, sir, or I’d’ve shown it to your lordship sooner. Only I assumed she’d, well, that she’d told you herself she were leavin’, milord.”
Wells did not reply; he was engrossed in the note, having waved the maid off with a flick of his hand.
Ruby,
I am sorry to leave so rashly now, but my father’s health requires that I go to him at once. I do not know how long I will be gone. I trust you’ll be a stalwart housekeeper to his lordship in my absence, for you are skilled, efficient, and courteous to all. I am only sorry to leave you so much work, with visitors still about, and beg forgiveness for this burden. Someday I shall make it up to you, I swear. I have told Lord Wellesley he must hire more staff to finish the Abbey. Perhaps you can impress this upon him better than I was able.
Give my regards to all, but most especially to Jenkins and Cuthbert, as they were the best of partners to me and I shall miss both dearly. I shall miss everyone, even his lordship’s crew. Only I beg you, Ruby, make sure the girls do not flirt with the men. I should hate for you to lose any staff for obvious reasons.
You do me proud, Ruby Barrows. Hug Ginny, Clarice, and Marta for me. ~ Charles Merrinan
