Page 22 of Sacrificing the Untamed Lady Henrietta
She decided to take advantage of the newfound freedom, a month essentially locked away causing her mind to stagnate. She wanted nothing more than to walk about and inhale fresh air, even if the night had turned achingly cold.
It was true—Dr. Slater had given her a clean bill of health, permitting her to honor her duties to the family and marry the Marquess of Peterborough. It had been one week since her fever had finally broken, but there had been a terrible time before where she was certain she was about to die.
Throughout her sickness and delirium, the picture of the man in the window remained, and even after she recovered, Henrietta remained convinced that she had seen him. Idly, she wondered if that was why her father had left the soldiers behind.
He is such a strange soul, Father,Henrietta thought and not for the first time. It stunned her how warm he could be one moment, tenderly carrying her ailing body to the bed and stroking her hair, yet cruelly lock her in her chambers the next. Some days, she suspected he was two men sharing the same mortal form. It made him difficult to understand and also difficult to loathe. To Henrietta, her mother was much simpler to know.
She knew sleep would not come easily to her, not when her mind was awhirl with what awaited her at Nightingale. She had only her mother’s assessment of Ewan, and she could not depend on it as gospel, not when she knew Tabitha would say anything to keep the peace.
I must have faith in the fact that Mama would not permit me to marry a brute.
She reached the front door, wrapping herself in a cloak but was immediately stopped by Davids.
“No, Miss Oliver,” he told her flatly. “You are required to stay indoors.”
She gaped at him in shock.
“Have you taken leave of your senses? I have not been out for air in weeks!”
“It is the General’s order.”
Her mouth pursed into a fine line and she spun, the cloak fanning behind her. Her modicum of freedom had been quashed before she had even started to enjoy it.
“May I get you a tea, Miss Oliver?” Molly asked as they passed in the hall.
“Fetch me a glass of port,” Henrietta replied, and the maid’s eyes widened in shock.
“Is that wise, Miss?”
“I am quite done being questioned by a servant, Molly. You will do as I ask.”
Molly seemed ready to swoon, unaccustomed to being spoken to in such a fashion by Henrietta.
“I…I…yes, Miss,” she mumbled and suddenly, Henrietta realized that she would too, be free of Molly and the other spies who reported to her father. It was a small elation but one she held fast to as she entered the library.
“Take my cloak,” she told Molly when the abigail returned a few moments later, and Molly did so without question.
Is this what Father feels like when he barks at everyone?
It did not make Henrietta feel good. It was not in her nature to be an army general. She took a small sip of the port, wincing slightly as it trickled down her throat. Molly knew she was not one to imbibe but that night was a special occasion, even if she was spending it alone.
Slowly, she walked along the book-lined shelves, trailing her fingers over the well-loved books. She paused to peruse the titles she had read time and again over the years, smiling faintly as she did.
I wonder if I will miss it here.
She had never lived anywhere else, after all. It seemed reasonable to expect bouts of homesickness and yet the more she considered it, after being locked away, the more Henrietta realized that she was looking forward to the change. Granted, the circumstances were not ideal but perhaps she could still secretly write universities in hopes that they would change their mind and grant her acceptance.
I must only ensure that Lord Peterborough does not learn of my plan as Father did or there will be a reckoning with not only Father but my husband also.
The words gave her a small shiver, but Henrietta could not be certain if it was one of pleasure or worry. She wished her mother was there to soothe her nerves, but Henrietta suspected that Tabitha had very deliberately left to avoid such a conversation. Her mother simply did not fare well with unpleasantness.
It will be good riddance to this household,Henrietta decided then.No matter what awaits me at Nightingale, I will be permitted the freedom to walk out of doors.
With that thought, she plucked a leather-bound copy ofThe Odysseyand downed the rest of her glass with one long gulp.
* * *
A combination of the port and the reading created enough of a lull in Henrietta’s busy mind to permit her the rest she was certain would never come. It was before dawn when Molly appeared in her chambers.
