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“He doesn’t.” Ina hesitated and then drew out the letter she’d written from her reticule. She’d hoped to find a maid to give it to, but she couldn’t be in this house any longer. Grace would have to do. “Please give this to him. Maybe this will answer some of his questions.”
Grace took the letter with a furrowed brow. “You’re certain that you want to give it to me?”
No, but she’d have to trust that her sister-in-law would be a woman of her word.
“I know that a long time ago you were both . . . close,” Ina said, the words cutting into her.
“Why not mail it?” Grace asked.
“Because this is done now.” The sooner she let go, the sooner she could rebuild.
Grace cocked her head and considered it. “I’ll give it to him when the time is right.”
Ina swallowed and bid her sister-in-law farewell. Then she forced her thoughts to the marble that was waiting for her at home. At least she could bury herself in her work and try to once again find the woman she was.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“IS SOMETHING THE matter, sir?”
Gavin’s head jerked up at his estate manager’s words and realized Chase was looking at him from atop his horse with a not insignificant amount of sympathy.
“What would be?” he snapped, immediately feeling like an ass because Chase was only expressing concern.
However, the estate manager merely shrugged. “I’m sure it’s not my place.”
Gavin hesitated and then shook his head. “Are you married?”
“Can’t say I’ve had the pleasure,” said Chase, leaning down to stroke his horse’s neck. “But I was engaged once.”
“Was the engagement broken?” Gavin asked.
“She died. Lungs were weakened by consumption.”
“I’m sorry,” Gavin said.
“I’m not. I had two good years courting Mary. In the end she was so weak it was a mercy when she died. She couldn’t go outside any longer. Couldn’t ride. Couldn’t walk the fields. It was no life for a country girl like her.”
“Did you ever fight?”
A grin split Chase’s face, and Gavin realized it might be the first time he’d seen the solemn man smile. “I’d never met a woman who could make me so angry before, and I haven’t met one since, but loving her felt like my own heart was outside of my body. If I had the chance, I’d do it all over again.”
Gavin nodded, understanding that feeling more acutely than he’d like to admit.
Chase looked up at the sun and then down at the plain silver pocket watch that hung from his waistcoat. “It’s just one. My guess is the ladies will be settling down to luncheon . . . if there’s anything you’d want to say to one of them in particular.”
There was a lot Gavin wished to say now that he was in the bright light of day. He’d still been so angry and mixed up that morning that he’d been glad when Ina hadn’t come down to breakfast. He’d left with Chase the moment the estate agent had shown up, more than a little eager to be in the saddle and dealing with anything other than the marriage that seemed to be falling apart before his eyes. But the more he thought about it, as he rocked gently with the gait of his horse, the less convinced he became that this had to be the end.
He knew he’d pushed Ina too hard before she was ready to make a change. He’d been there, in love with her, for so long he’d wanted her to reach that place as fast as possible. He’d made demands on her that were unfair. He’d always loved her because she wasn’t perfect, but instead was a woman uncompromising in her convictions and steadfast loyalty. Last night, in this place that wasn’t her home and away from her friends and her life, he’d asked her to transform into someone she wasn’t.
“Maybe I do have something to say,” he murmured to himself. “Maybe I do.”
After riding back to the stables, he dismounted and handed his horse off to a groom, not even bothering to change out of his riding boots. If only he could see her, he might reassure them both that there was something worth saving about their marriage.
He could wait if she’d give him a second chance.
Harper opened the door for him as he marched into the house. “Ina,” he called out. “Ina!”
Harper hurried after him. “I beg your pardon, sir—”
