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Just outside Pelandale House library
Time stopped. Mercy’s stomach tumbled to her toes, and fear nipped with sharp, jagged teeth.
Had something happened to one of the girls?
“Is everything all right with Bellamy and Arabelle?” Mercy asked while her heart fluttered about behind her breastbone like a swarm of butterflies.
“Yes. Yes. They are fine.” Behind her mother, Corrina rushed along, though she whipped her sky-blue bonnet off as she went. If her tense countenance were any indication, she was nearly as worked up as the marchioness.
“Marissa has taken Bellamy and Arabelle to the nursery,” Corinna offered by way of consolation as she drew off her gloves.
Thank goodness.
A bit of tension eased from Mercy.
Whatever the situation was that Lady Trentholm referred to and which had her in an uncharacteristic dither must be one she meant to speak with her sons and husband about.
Mercy curtsied again, eager to see Bellamy and Arabelle and ask them about their day.
Who was she kidding?
She was desperate to put as much distance as she could between herself and the dramatics on display behind her in the library. Or perhaps the new histrionics about to play out. In any event, she preferred to be far away from both.
“My lady. Lady Corinna.” Mercy dipped her head and made to keep going, but Lady Trentholm placed her gloved hand on Mercy’s arm, staying her. Mercy stared mutely at the delicate pink flowers embroidered on the soft leather.
“Miss Feathers, I need to speak to you at once,” her ladyship said in an odd, stilted tone.
Mercy winged her gaze to Corinna, asking a silent question.
Even the vivacious Corinna was subdued and slightly pale. She averted her gaze and gave a little helpless shrug.
Mercy bit the corner of her lower lip.
That could not bode well.
Taking Mercy by the elbow, the marchioness guided her back into the dratted library. The three quarreling men stopped at once upon seeing her ladyship.
Lord Trentholm swiftly crossed the distance to his visibly shaken wife and kissed her cheek. “My dear. I’m afraid I have distressing news.”
“You’ve already heard?” Corinna asked in astonishment, her blue eyes wide with shock. “How is that possible? We’ve only just heard ourselves.”
Mercy sought Ronan from across the room.
His brown-eyed gaze touched her, soothing and encouraging.
The marchioness and the marquess spoke simultaneously.
“Benjamin has eloped,” he said.
“Lady Amhurst has come down to town,” she blurted. “Word has it she is here to meet Miss Feathers.”
The room stopped.
Everyone ceased to move at the exact same instant. No one even drew a breath for six excruciatingly long tick-tocks of the clock.
Then everyone spoke at once.
“What did you say?” Lady Trentholm’s mouth went slack, and she clutched her throat, tearing open the fastener. “Benjamin has eloped?”
