Without fully thinking, she crossed the room and pulled back the curtain. The driveway stretched out below, empty and still. No sign of horses. No sign of Gabriel.
Her chest tightened slightly before she forced herself to look away.
Of course, he is still gone.
There were matters to resolve, threats to contain, responsibilities that had nothing to do with breakfast or children’s routines. Still, she could not quite suppress the small hope that he might appear, riding up the drive as he so often did, as though nothing in the world could keep him away. She shook the thought from herself with mild irritation.
I’m being entirely unreasonable.
But the moment he had kissed the top of her hand reentered her mind. She felt a flush on her cheeks.
Why did he do such a thing?
As she fastened the final buttons of her dress, she caught her reflection in the mirror and frowned slightly. She looked tired. Not exhausted in body alone but in spirit.
Still, there was work to be done, and she had never been one to linger in uncertainty.
When she finished dressing, she stood for a moment by the window again. The driveway remained unchanged. Empty, quiet, indifferent. She pressed her lips together and turned away decisively. Whatever was happening between Gabriel and Helen, she would not allow it to consume the entire household.
Downstairs, the breakfast room was already bright with morning activity. Sunlight poured through tall windows, illuminating a long, polished table set for breakfast. A silver tea service gleamed at one end, steam rising gently from the spout as a maid poured fresh cups.
Bowls of porridge had been placed alongside plates of warm buttered bread, soft-boiled eggs in porcelain cups, and dishes of fruit arranged with careful precision. A covered platter released the comforting scent of baked ham and freshly prepared scones.
David sat proudly at the table as though he were hosting the entire event.
Valerie sat beside him, attempting to appear dignified while secretly tearing apart a piece of bread with obvious hunger.
Amelia entered and felt some of the tension ease from her shoulders. “Good morning,” she said warmly, taking her seat.
“Good morning,” Valerie replied at once, reaching for a cup of tea.
David nodded solemnly as though he were presiding over proceedings. “I approve of breakfast,” he declared.
Amelia smiled faintly.
A maid approached with a teapot, and Amelia accepted her cup gratefully. For a few moments, there was only the soft rhythm of breakfast being served, the clink of porcelain, and the quiet murmur of conversation.
Yet even in that gentle domestic ease, her thoughts drifted inevitably back to Gabriel.
What if Gabriel loses this path he is on and is forced to marry Helen after all?
As if summoned by her dark thoughts, Lady Provie entered.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The cheerful warmth that had filled the breakfast room only moments earlier seemed to evaporate the instant Lady Provie sat down. The Countess wore a gown of deep plum silk and her posture suggested she expected the room to rise in applause. Conversation ceased almost immediately, and even the servants appeared to move more quietly.
Lady Provie possesses the remarkable ability to intimidate furniture if she puts her mind to it.
The thought nearly made Amelia smile though she wisely kept such dangerous amusement to herself.
“Good day to you all,” Lady Provie announced as she removed her gloves and handed them to a waiting footman.
She inclined her head with regal precision before allowing her gaze to sweep slowly around the table. Amelia offered a small nod, refusing to reveal the unease twisting inside her. Valerieoccupied herself with her tea as though it required her complete concentration.
Only David looked delighted to see his great-aunt.
“Good day, Aunt!” he exclaimed, waving his spoon with enough enthusiasm to alarm the maid standing behind him.
