Page 89 of The Lovers
Elise sat silently across from Edward, her questions locked away in her brain. Perhaps it was best to play the complacent wife and see what Edward had in store for her. It annoyed him when she questioned him, and he often did things just to spite her, like a child. Elise was glad that it was Peg in the carriage with them and not Barbara. Barbara made her uneasy lately. It was nothing specific, but the girl seemed more withdrawn than ever, except fortimes when she grew agitated and nearly hysterical. She was traveling in the second carriage with Pete and Mistress Benford, who’d been ordered to join the staff of Asher Hall in the role of cook. Edward worked under the assumption that half the staff were dead, and he was probably right. Getting new people would not be easy, taking into account the death toll. Everyone would be looking for new servants and stable boys—anyone who survived, that is.
Elise pulled aside the curtain and peered out once they passed through the city gate and were in London proper. She’d been away for nine months, but it felt more like a decade. The city looked gray and cold, the chimneys belching smoke into the air as subdued-looking people went about their business. There were no death carts rattling down streets, nor were there any corpses to be seen, but the streets were less crowded, the people wary. Many shops and taverns appeared to be closed, and there were still countless red crosses visible on doors, the paint not having been removed after the illness abated. Everyone seemed older and grayer, even the children who appeared hunched over and sickly, their eyes following the carriage fearfully.
There were still cases of plague, but the epidemic had passed with the cold weather, and the people were slowly returning to their homes and businesses. Easter was approaching, but there was no sense of impending holiday, no festive mood permeating the streets. Edward had sent a letter ahead, instructing the house to be prepared for their arrival, and Elise hoped there had been someone left to receive it. She was tired and travel sore, and she needed to use the chamber pot rather badly.
Charles slept peacefully, lulled by the rocking of the carriage. He was a happy baby, and he gave his mother no trouble as long as he was dry and well-fed. Elise thanked her lucky stars for having been granted time with her baby. Once they settled into the London house, Edward would demand that she hand the child over to a nursemaid. Well-bred ladies did not rear their ownchildren. Elise hated the thought but knew she would have to comply. Whatever time she spent with Charlie would be when Edward wasn’t at home. There was no point provoking him into an argument she couldn’t win; she’d simply go behind his back, as she did with everything else. She hoped that James would get to see his son. He’d be amazed at how much Charlie had changed in only four months, his expression now full of awareness and his toothless smile so beguiling.Has there ever been a more beautiful baby?Elise wondered fondly.
She looked up at Edward and smiled sweetly. If she were indeed with child, every day counted, and she had to do something to prevent a catastrophe. At this stage, she could still say that the child came early, but if she waited much longer, there would be no way to hide the fact that she’d gotten with child long before they returned to London.
“Edward, would it not be prudent to give Charles a brother?” Elise asked as her heart pounded in her chest.
Edward tore his gaze away from the window and turned to face her, a look of astonishment on his face. “You’ve changed your tune,” he said, giving Elise a piercing stare. Elise could see the suspicion in his eyes and cringed inwardly, wondering if she’d made a mistake.
“I only wish to be a good wife to you, my lord,” Elise replied. “And children are so fragile,” she added.
“Yes, I see your point,” Edward said. “I thought to give you a reprieve, but perhaps it’s time,” he mused, giving her a smile at last. “I’m glad to see that you’ve come to understand and embrace your duty.”
“My only desire is to please you, Edward,” Elise said, lowering her eyes so that her husband wouldn’t see the derision in them. She hated lying, and she detested Edward, but she would doanything to protect her unborn child and her love for James. Perhaps she was becoming well-versed in duplicity at last.
SIXTY-SEVEN
Elise alighted from the carriage, shook out her skirts, and took a moment to study the facade of Asher Hall. She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but the house looked the same as ever, solid and imposing, its numerous windows catching the afternoon sun and glowing, as if the house was afire. The red cross had been scrubbed off the door, and there was no indication that anything had changed since Elise left in such a hurry nine months before. A groom Elise hadn’t seen before ran toward the carriage, eager to see to the horses and luggage.
The front door opened, and Lucy stepped outside, ready to welcome her mistress home. She looked healthy and well nourished, and Elise breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of her. Elise would have hugged the girl, but Edward would disapprove, so they would have their own private reunion later. Lucy would fill Elise in on all the goings-on, but in the meantime, she had to play the part of the mistress of the house. To her surprise, everything was ready for their arrival, and most of the staff was there to attend to their needs. Only three people residing at Asher Hall had died, which was a blessing considering how much worse the situation could have been. Perhaps now Mistress Benford would be permitted to return home, since her services were no longer needed.
Elise ran her fingers over the damask bed hangings, remembering all the times James had come to her in this bed. She wondered incessantly where he’d gone and if he was thinking of her. If not for Charlie, her life would feel unbearably empty, and now it might be again. Edward had forbidden Elise to have a cradlein her room, saying that the child belonged in the nursery with his nurse. Elise would miss having access to him all day long, especially those precious moments when she took the baby into bed and they slumbered peacefully together, happy in their safe and warm haven. Elise wondered if Charlie would miss her. Perhaps he was too young to feel the absence of his mother and only needed someone to see to his needs, but she hoped that on some instinctive level, he would register that she wasn’t the one taking care of him.
Edward was in the other room, settling back into his own bedroom after having instructed Lucy to take the baby away. She would be his nursemaid for the time being until Edward found a candidate to his satisfaction. He wanted nothing but the best for his son, refusing to acknowledge that thebestwas to be cared for by his mother. Elise would find a way around Edward, but she needed time to see what his plans were and how often he intended to grace them with his presence. In the meantime, she would have a bath, dress, and join Edward for supper downstairs. He seemed more kindly disposed toward her these days, so no good would come from displeasing him.
Edward was already waiting for her when she came down. She smiled in greeting, and he bowed stiffly, watching her as if seeing her for the first time. The past nine months had altered them both, or maybe it was only she that was altered. Edward was the same stuffy, pompous man he’d always been. Elise looked around, wondering if Barbara would be joining them, but then remembered that Edward preferred that she eat in her own room when he was at home. The man couldn’t bear the sight of her, so Elise decided not to bring up the subject. Perhaps in time, he would grow more tolerant of his daughter.
“There was a letter for you,” Edward said as they sat down across from each other. “It’s from your father. He says that all iswell, and your sisters have adjusted to their new environment and are enjoying all that the West Indies has to offer.”
“You read my letter?” Elise asked, incredulous.
“You are my wife, my property. You are not entitled to any private business of your own,” he reminded her with a glint of warning in his eyes. “You may read the letter after we finish dining. It’s in my study. I shall write to your father and inform him of Charlie’s birth. I will also remind him of the debt he still owes me. He seems to think that all has been forgotten and forgiven, but there’s still outstanding business between us.”
“So, I wasn’t payment enough?” Elise asked through clenched teeth.
“No, my dear, you were a deposit, so to speak. And Charlie is the interest on my investment.”
Elise said nothing more as Cook served the soup.
“I shall leave it to you to hire another maid,” Edward said. “It’s unseemly for Cook to serve at table. I will see to getting more lads for the stable since the previous two died. There’s just the one groom left, and Pete.”
“As you wish,” Elise replied woodenly. She longed to skip this awkward meal and go up to the nursery, where she could spend time with Charlie before Lucy put him down for the night. He no longer required night feedings, so she wouldn’t see him again till morning.
“I have invited Lord Fillmore to join us for supper on Sunday. His wife has been poorly, so I thought the poor man might enjoy some company. James will be joining us as well,” Edward added, his eyes never leaving Elise’s face.
Elise’s head shot up at the sound of James’s name. “Is James in London?”
“Yes. I’ve summoned him home. I still have need of his services, as do you,” Edward replied, giving Elise a meaningful look. “I must admit that although I was furious with him for circumventing my orders, his judgment had been correct. I owe him for your life and the life of my son.”
“It’s kind of you to invite him,” Elise said, her tone flat. It took a lot of effort to keep the joy out of her voice, but Edward was watching her, so she had to feign indifference, even revulsion.
“It’s the least I can do,” Edward replied as he tucked into the fish course. He normally didn’t care for fish, but he was hungry after their journey and ate with relish, even commenting on the delicacy of the baked cod.
Elise could barely eat, thrilled by the knowledge that she would see James in a few days. Having him back in the house would make things so much easier for them since no one would suspect anything if they saw two inhabitants conversing or taking a walk in the garden. And the rest would fall into place, whether she was with child or not. Elise couldn’t wait for James to see Charlie. He looked nothing like the squalling infant James had seen the day he was born. He was such a sweet, handsome boy, and she would be so proud to show him off to his papa.Perhaps everything will work out after all, Elise mused as she picked at her fish.
