Page 21 of Charming Sir Charles
Last night, Sir Charles and Meg had gone alone into the long gallery. It was the perfect opportunity to propose.
Her stomach lurched with misery, and she groaned and turned over to bury her head in the pillows. She didn’t want to face the world. She didn’t want to act pleased for the bride, when instead she wanted tobethe bride.
No matter how impossible that was, even had Meg not been his choice.
Bitter tears stung eyes dry and red after a sleepless night. She’d only fallen into a heavy slumber as dawn broke. Last night during the endless hours of darkness, this bed had felt like a torture chamber. This morning she’d pay over her entire fortune to avoid the necessity of ever leaving it.
Her early tea on her nightstand was cold on its tray. She hadn’t heard the maid come in, although the girl must have also stayed to stoke the fire blazing merrily in the hearth.
At least something in this room was merry, Sally thought sourly, as she poured cold tea into her cup. She stared at the unappetizing brew, without making any attempt to drink it.
She knew she indulged in a massive attack of self-pity, but that cold tea seemed like an omen for the rest of her life.
A knock at the door, and Caro Nash appeared, bearing another tray. “Good morning, Sally. I’m wondering how you are.”
Sally blinked away silly, futile tears, but suspected she wasn’t quick enough. “Much better, thank you,” she said in a muffled voice. “You didn’t have to come up.”
Caro gave a dismissive tsk and approached the bed. “I was worried about you last night. Do you still have the headache?”
Yes, but it doesn’t compare a jot to the pain in my heart.“It’s nothing. But thank you for asking.”
“No, don’t get up. Breakfast in bed always makes me feel better.”
Sally was in no rush to leave her bed, so she slumped against the pillows as Caro set the loaded tray on her knees. “You’re very kind.”
“I brought you a couple of rolls and some eggs. But I can ring for bacon and sausages and kidneys, if you’d like those, too.”
The thought of cooked meat made Sally’s stomach cramp with nausea.
Caro laughed. “Oh, my Lord, you’ve gone quite green. I’m glad I followed my instincts.”
She poured Sally some coffee and passed it to her, then crossed to fling the curtains apart. She turned back in time to catch Sally flinching away from the stark gray light that flooded the room.
Caro grimaced in sympathy. “You do look terrible.”
Her friend had a reputation for frankness bordering on tactlessness, and her unconcealed horror as she surveyed Sally made her laugh, despite how miserable she felt. “Thank you very much.”
“I’m sorry.” Caro had the grace to blush. “Silas is always telling me to think before I speak. But I only remember –”
“After you’ve spoken?”
“Exactly.”
Sally took a sip of coffee. And wished it was hemlock.
If only Morwenna or Amy were here. She liked Caro and Helena, but she didn’t feel ready to confide in either of them. Worse, she couldn’t bear to become an object of pity – as she would, if these happily married women knew she’d foolishly settled her affections on the man her niece was to wed.
Then she remembered that it was better for everyone if she never revealed her heart’s hidden longings. Should Meg ever hear a whisper of Sally’s hopeless infatuation, she’d be so upset – and it might create a rift in the family. Easier all round if Sally just suffered in silence.
What a grim prospect.
A concerned expression darkened Caro’s deep blue eyes. “I think you should spend the day in bed with a good book. I remember how exhausting the season can be when one is in the thick of things. It’s still raining. Nobody will be doing anything exciting today.”
Except celebrating Meg’s engagement to Sir Charles.
To hide another wince, Sally began to butter one of the crusty rolls, although the thought of food made her gag. It was time to be brave and continue as she meant to go on, no matter what it cost her. She had a lot of practice at that. She summoned the words that murdered all her unworthy hopes.
“No, I’ll need to come downstairs to give Sir Charles my approval and congratulate the happy couple – and I’m sure Meg wants to discuss arrangements.” She made herself take a bite of her roll.
