Page 45 of Sacrificing the Untamed Lady Henrietta
Gingerly, she broke the seal and unfolded the page.
My dear Lady,
It has come to my attention that you have renewed your interest in medical school. If you do not wish some harm to come to you, please withdraw said applications immediately. Also, do be careful. I am watching you.
Sincerest regards,
A Friend
Dread settled over Henrietta like a fine mist.
Seth. Who else could it be?
Besides her mother and father, only Molly and Seth Booth knew of her former applications to university. But she had sent the new letters only yesterday. How could anyone have known? Even Anna hadn’t known she had already mailed them. And her letters had been signed H. Oliver Clark. Only Seth could know she and the pseudonym were one and the same. Having seen Seth in town made this menacing threat possible, especially after their encounter on the promenade, but could he really have intercepted the letters, read their contents, and sent them on their way?
She certainly could not tell the Marquess about the threat. He would be livid. And learning she had applied to medical school under a misleading – but technically correct name – would only add fuel to his fire.
Just then, the connecting door opened, and the Marquess entered. His disposition seemed unimproved since yesterday. She would proceed with caution and try not to provoke the bear.
“My Lady,” he said formally.
“My Lord Marquess.”
“You have returned from you outing in one piece, I see.”
“Yes, my Lord. Anna and I went to the Spa and took the waters.”
“And?”
Henrietta scrunched her nose indicating her distaste. “Bitter.”
“I see. I am happy that Anna can serve you as both abigail and companion.”
Shecould see he was still ill tempered. She wondered suspiciously if he meant Anna could serve as both abigail andchaperone. No matter. She like Anna very much, and she felt no threat from her. At least not for now.
“I have read, my Lord Marquess, that taking the spa waters can cure whatever ails you.”
“You have read?”
Inwardly, she cursed her foolish slip of the tongue. It was best she kept her reading choices to herself. She did not want him restricting her library activities before she even got started.
“Yes, even if what ails you is simply a foul mood.”
“Care to disclose where you have read this, my Lady?”
“My dear Lord Marquess, in theScarborough Gazette. ‘Tis quite well known. Gout, rheumatism, poor attitude,” she teased.
“May I remind you, my gracious Lady, that ‘twas you who put me in bad temper yesterday?”
“It was you that made a rule, my Lord, that I could speak in freedom. You did not make a rule that I must only speak what you wish to hear.”
“I could hardly make such a rule for wouldn’t it make null and void the former? I must instead rely upon your good judgment, to use your freedom to speak wisely and to not abuse your husband. Especially when he defends your honor.”
“My honor or your honor?”
“They are one and the same, my Lady. That is what is means to marry a Marquess.”
She decided to argue no further. She knew she was right in finding hypocrisy in him. However, perhaps wisdom was accepting that it wasn’t always necessary to mention it.
