Page 88 of Sacrificing the Untamed Lady Henrietta
Pushing open the door, he stepped inside. “I did not know if you would have awakened yet, My Lady.” He set the tray of food down on the side table and took a seat on the chaise by the fire. She was dressed in a simple gown of duck-egg blue, her hair loose about her face. She had been restless in her slumber, and it showed on her tired features.
“I thought it best to rise, instead of laboring in bed some more,” she replied wearily. “Besides, sleep did not wish to grace me much, and the sunlight streaming in did very little to help.”
“You should eat,” he said.
“How can I eat when my stomach is in knots?”
“Because you must have your strength for this evening,” he replied, feeling a wave of empathy for her. She was the bait for tonight’s trap, and everything rested upon her shoulders. If he was feeling nervous about it, he could only imagine how she was coping. Indeed, her hands seemed to be trembling even now.
She came to sit close to him, reaching for a piece of dry toast. “I shall attempt it, though I cannot promise it will stay in my stomach. I am so terribly restless.”
“Is it Isobel’s warning?”
“Partially,” she said with a sigh. She had told Ewan about her encounter with the evasive woman, and what had been discussed between them. It had alarmed him greatly, though he had tried to put on a brave face for her. He did not wish her to be more frightened than she already was, but the ominous request to refrain from attending had scared him to the core.
“Do you think she knows something of Mr. Booth’s plan?” Ewan asked.
“She must, otherwise why would she have warned me?” She took a small bite of the toast, which cheered Ewan slightly. At least she was endeavoring to eat something. “That man is her husband. If anyone knows of his schemes, it must surely be her.”
“We will be extremely cautious this evening, My Lady. I will not allow you out of my sight, not even for an instant,” Ewan promised.
She smiled nervously. “Do you mean it?”
“I do.”
“And what of my father—have you seen him today?”
“I saw him earlier. He was taking his men to Scampston Hall, to ensure that everything is present and correct, and they will have all exits covered.”
She nodded. “That is a small relief.”
Just then, there came a knock at the door. Ewan rose, whilst Henrietta continued to peck at her toast like a small, fragile bird. He opened it wide, to be greeted by the face of Mr. Chambers. There was a letter in his hands. Ewan frowned—he had only just visited the reception, to enquire about mail, but there had been nothing for him or his wife.
“A letter has arrived for Lady Peterborough,” Mr. Chambers said. “An–”
“Express rider delivered it?” Ewan interjected, his heart racing.
“How did you know?”
“I heard the approach of swift hooves,” he replied, without missing a beat. “And besides, I have only recently been downstairs to check on the mail, and there was nothing for either myself or my wife. Any note now would have had to come from an express rider.”
Mr. Chambers bowed. “I am sorry to have disturbed you, My Lord.” He handed over the letter with somewhat shaking hands, before turning and leaving. Ewan thought his behavior rather odd, considering he had never acted in so sheepish a manner before.Whatever is the matter with him?He realized that he was likely becoming overly paranoid, with the evening looming heavy over him. Everyone was becoming a suspected accomplice in his mind.
“What is it, my Lord?” Henrietta asked, her eyes wide in panic.
“It is nothing,” Ewan replied, hating himself for deceiving her. Then again, his heart was in the right place. She was already scared enough, she did not need another worrying note to amplify her terror.No, this is for the best. There is no reason to bring her further alarm.
“It looks to be a letter, if I am not mistaken,” she replied, with an arched eyebrow.
“Yes, a note from Lord Averson, that is all.” He opened it out before she could see the address, his eyes scanning the words within. There were very few, which was somehow more troubling.
My Lady,
It is All Hallow’s Eve and the ghosts are rising.
A Friend
“Is everything all right?” Henrietta was positively quaking.
