I hugged myself as I continued to stare out the window. It was chilly, and the sky was dark and overcast. A fire had been lit in the hearth, but it didn’t penetrate the large room. I found myself drawn to the library whenever I needed to get away from the responsibilities and cares of Cumberland Hall. There was something comforting about the deep chairs, the familiar smells of leather and books, and the rugged view. But it wasn’t just the room that gave me solace. Knowing that the Virginia book was there somehow made me feel closer to the people and places I loved in my other path.
Even if I didn’t open it.
A movement on the road caught my attention as an unfamiliar automobile appeared. Was it someone coming to lend a hand? Or perhaps someone with news? I wasn’t aware that we were receiving visitors, though with all the commotion these past two weeks, it wasn’t unusual to have unexpected arrivals. Mr. Wentworth would deal with this person and let me know if my attention was required. I lost sight of the automobile as it went around the corner to the main entrance.
My mind wandered back to Williamsburg. Not only had Henry avoided me for the remainder of the evening, but I had also missed Sophia’s company. She had been there with her parents, yet she didn’t speak to me. When I tried to approachher, she had given me a look of regret and then turned her back on me.
What should have been a highlight of my year had been a crushing and disappointing night. I had so looked forward to being in Henry’s company. There was no telling when or if I would see him again.
That thought alone made me want to weep.
The door opened to the library again, and I turned, expecting to find Mr. Wentworth with my lunch tray. But it wasn’t the butler standing there, staring at me.
It was my husband.
“Anna,” Reggie said as he stepped into the room and closed the door. “Wentworth told me I would find you here.” He walked across the expanse of the library to stand beside me.
My heart pounded at the unexpectedness of his arrival, and I realized I had forgotten to breathe.
“Are you surprised to see me?” he asked, watching me closely. I had forgotten how bland his features were and how much I disliked his mustache.
It took a moment for me to find my voice. “Yes. Quite.”
His lips turned up in a smile, revealing the space between his front teeth. “I have missed you, Anna, and have regretted our parting since you came to Whitby.”
I was speechless. Not only had he been the furthest thing from my mind today, but I had not once regretted our parting. I had reveled in it.
“All these months,” he said, “even with all the responsibilities occupying my time and attention, I found my thoughts straying to you. I eagerly anticipated each of your letters.”
He’d anticipatedmyletters? They had been formal and stiff, full of nothing personal or private. All I’d spoken about was business affairs.
He reached for my hand, and in my surprise, I let him take it. “You do not know how much I have longed for this trip toWhitby. I have never missed Cumberland Hall as much as I have these past months, knowing you were here.”
“Reggie.” My hand was limp in his. “You hardly know me.”
His light brown eyes were focused solely on me as he smiled. “Yet what I know is enough to spark my affection.”
I took a step back, unprepared for such talk and attention.
He let go of my hand, and I could see the disappointment in his eyes. His gaze hardened ever so slightly, and he bowed formally. “Pardon me for being so forward, Anna. I hoped that your fondness for me had grown while we were apart, but I can see now that it has not.”
Remorse and embarrassment filled me at his words. Yet I did not want to make him think I cared when I did not.
“Do not apologize,” I told him. “I’m just surprised by your sudden appearance.”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“You’ve succeeded admirably.”
I took another step away from him, realizing what his arrival meant. For months, I had been at ease, unconcerned about being married. But now the anxiety resurfaced. Would he expect me to make myself available to him? After all, we were married, and he was in need of an heir. Yet I could not let that happen. I would need to find a way to avoid that aspect of our relationship.
“How long do you plan to be at Cumberland Hall?”
“Only until the first of the year. I’m needed back in London as soon as possible. The prime minister did not want to spare me for the holidays, but he understands the great sacrifice you have made since our wedding. He wanted to offer you a gift by allowing me to spend our first Christmas together. It was Mrs. Asquith’s idea.”
Dread filled me at the thought of him being here for a week.
“As you can see,” I said, moving behind a chair to put an object between us, “I’m afraid we have been so busy with ourpatients that I have not had time to decorate Cumberland Hall for the holidays.”
