Leaning in, he strained to listen. Another sob sounded. William frowned. His sister was allowed her privacy. He didn’t want to intrude. But drat it all, if she was suffering and he could help... The least he could do was tell her he was there to offer support.
He knocked.
A pause followed and then the door opened a smidgen. Athena’s face appeared in the crack, completely blotch free. “Yes?”
Uncertainty prompted William to hesitate. His sister didn’t look unwell in the least, so perhaps the sound he’d heard had been something else. He cleared his throat. “May I come in?”
“Er...” He raised an eyebrow when she glanced over her shoulder. “Right now?”
What an odd question.
“I’d rather not stand out here waiting.”
“Hmm...”
“Athena?”
“Yes?”
“What’s going on?”
She scrunched her nose. “Perhaps you can come back later?”
Something in her tone made the back of his neck prickle. He placed his palm against the door and gave it a push. Athena stepped back with a muttered and very unladylike curse. William took a step forward and entered the room. His gaze roamed the neat space until he found Eloise. She was sitting on Athena’s bed.
“Forgive me, I...” He studied her hunched shoulders, the way her hand covered her mouth, and her downcast eyes, then turned to Athena, “What’s happened?”
“A letter arrived. Eloise’s grandfather has taken ill, and her mother writes that he hasn’t a lot of time left.”
A knot formed in William’s throat, and his heart beat loud in his ears. “You must go to him at once.”
It was the only solution.
“I’ve told her as much but she insists on waiting to speak with Mama. She’s afraid she’ll lose her position if she’s gone for too long.”
“And where is Mama right now?” William asked. He’d returned his attention to Eloise, who looked nothing like the strong and capable woman he’d gotten to know. Instinct told him to lift her up, to help her through this, and ease her pain in whatever small way he was able.
“I’m not sure. She had a bit of shopping to do and mentioned visiting some friends, but I wasn’t paying attention and—”
“Every moment is precious right now. We cannot waste a single one.” Heaven above, he’d get Eloise to France on time so she could see her grandfather again before it was too late. “Help her pack, Athena. I’ll have one of the carriages readied.”
“Thank you, Will.”
He gave a curt nod on his way out the room. “Think nothing of it.”
Hastening back downstairs, William placed the book he’d been meaning to give Eloise on the hallway table. It would have to wait. Right now, hitching the horses and telling the driver he’d have to head for Portsmouth post haste was of far more importance.
“I can escort you,” he told Eloise a short while later when she prepared to climb into the carriage. “If you like.”
Her smile wobbled, but held. “Thank you, but I think you ought to stay here.”
“Take this then.” He reached inside his pocket and pulled out a pouch. The coins within jangled ever so softly as he offered it to her.
“William, I—”
He grabbed her hand and closed it securely around the pouch. “I’ll make certain you have a job to return to. I promise.”
She gave a tight nod – the sort that suggested she struggled to keep her composure – and he released her with gnawing regret. The door closed and he stepped back. “Drive carefully, but make haste.”
