“How odd that we should meet,” he mused. “I was feeling homesick for the North Sea, and now I feel as if I’ve returned home for the evening, in a way. It comforts me to know I am not the only one here who has heard of Cumberland Hall.”
It was more than odd. All these months, James had been living just behind our house, and I had no idea he was so connected to the very home I was inhabiting in my other path. It sent a shiver up my spine.
“I’m very happy we’ve had this opportunity to talk,” he said to me. “I knew I would like you from the moment we met.”
My cheeks grew warm at his words, and I heard someone clear their throat behind me. I turned and found Henry standing close enough to have heard part of our conversation.
“May I have the next dance, Libby?” he asked, not even looking in James’s direction.
Butterflies filled my stomach at his sudden appearance, and I nodded. “Of course.” I motioned to James. “Have you met Lieutenant Addison? Lieutenant, this is Henry Montgomery.”
“Lord Ashbury’s son?” James asked as they bowed to one another.
“Aye.”
“’Tis a pleasure to meet you.” James then turned to give me a slight bow. “And a pleasure to spend time in your company, Libby. I look forward to our paths crossing again soon. I will have to make a point of seeking you out the next time I see you in the yard.”
I smiled and curtsied and then turned my gaze back to Henry. He watched James move away before turning those stormy blue eyes on me. It was amazing how they changed in color with his mood. But the look and intensity in his gaze made me frown. Was he angry at me?
As soon as James was out of earshot, he said, “Is it true that Lieutenant Addison is living in your stable?”
“He was quartered there by Governor Dunmore.”
“Has it occurred to you that he is spying on your activities?”
I swallowed and nodded, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “Aye. Mama and I are being cautious.”
“By dancing with him and playing the coquette?”
“Coquette?” I pressed my lips together in surprise and hurt. “And what of Lady Catherine?”
“What of her?”
“Are you using her to have better access to the governor? Orare you simply playing with her affections?” The moment the words passed my lips, I regretted them. They weren’t fair, and they weren’t true, but my anger refused to let me apologize.
Henry’s jaw clenched, and he offered me a stiff bow. “Good evening, Miss Conant.”
And then he walked away.
18
WHITBY, NORTH YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND
DECEMBER 24, 1914
It was hard to focus on the needs of those in Cumberland Hall the day after the governor’s ball. All I could think about was Henry and the words I had uttered. There was nothing as difficult as the time and distance between each path when I was at odds with someone. I longed to run to him and apologize, to put the anger and unkindness behind us—yet he had made me angry too. His words had hurt. I was not playing the coquette with James. Henry, of all people, should know that I was not a flirtatious woman.
What had made him think this? And why had it made me lash out and attack him? It was the last thing I wanted after months of being apart.
“Lady Cumberland.” Mr. Wentworth found me wool-gathering in the library, where I was standing near a cold window, looking out at the sea. “Luncheon is ready. Would you like to dine with the others in the dining room or take a tray to your bedchamber?”
For the past two weeks I had been eating whenever and whereverI had the opportunity. But now that our patients were stable and the work had begun to decrease, I had been enjoying meals at the appropriate times with some of our guests.
Today, however, I didn’t feel like making small talk with the others.
“I will take a tray in here.”
“As you wish, your ladyship. I will have it delivered posthaste.” His demeanor had warmed toward me as we worked together after the raid. I had grown to appreciate and even like Mr. Wentworth, though he was still stiff and stodgy at times.
