Page 36 of Surrender to the Earl
“I decide my own schedule, madam, one of the privileges of being an earl.”
“But I will understand if your duties keep you away. You have fulfilled your promise, my lord, and seen me safe. You owe me nothing else.”
Don’t I?he found himself wondering. Was providing escort all it took to make up for a man’s life? He didn’t think so.
Audrey stoodat the window for a long time, feeling the late autumn sun on her face, as if she could watch Robert ride away. She was surprised by how much she’d come to rely on him in just a few short days, on his solid presence, his confidence, his air of command.
She didn’t have any of that herself, as the tour of the house had shown her. She’d once believed she did, but now? Now she’d traveled to places she could no longer picture in her mind, been attacked in her bedchamber, and met servants who didn’t seem at all glad to see her. Oh, they were polite, but she felt they were directing their voices at Robert more than herself. She understood why, of course, he being a titled nobleman. They even spoke to Molly, as she explained each room in detail.
And the furnishings in those rooms! They were all hidden traps that could make her look and feel foolish.Shouldshe begin to use a cane? No, Robert was right; with practice, she would learn the layout of the house. She was simply still uneasy after the attack at the inn.
She winced, remembering how Molly had made certain the servants knew she was betrothed to an earl. Audrey had known the necessity at her father’s home, but she hadn’t thought through the consequences here. Did she want to be respected merely because she was supposed to become a countess?
Or should she just announce a change of heart today—right now? Then she’d be here on her own merits, dealing with the servants in her own right.
But she had to discuss it with Robert first. It seemed … ungrateful to make a sudden decision without him. She turned to walk toward the entrance hall and bumped her leg, hard, ona low table. Wincing, she put out her hands and began to move about the drawing room again, planting each piece of furniture in her mind’s eye. She would memorize everything, one room at a time.
That night,Audrey was relieved to be alone in her bedroom at last. It was the only place she felt safe, since Molly had specifically helped her rearrange the furniture to more suitable, functional positions. And her day? Not what one would call a success.
Molly had spent the afternoon unpacking their trunks, and Audrey had had her first meal alone in the dining room. Though she’d invited Molly to join her, the maid didn’t think that set the correct tone for the household, and Audrey had reluctantly agreed.
She’d spent many a meal alone, of course, since she’d seldom been permitted to leave her home. But this was different. Audrey had been left sitting long past when she should, waiting for the meal to commence. Mrs. Sanford had apologized for her tardiness, and Audrey had believed her that she would need a day or two and consultations with Audrey to prepare the right menu.
But was that a reason some of the food was cold? It had tasted fine, but the service left much to be desired. She told herself it was just the first day—and a long one. Molly had already retired for the night, and Audrey would do the same. But first, she stood at the window and imagined where Robert must be—and missed him, even though he’d be gone from her life soon. She couldn’t become attached, couldn’t let herself care. She was never again going to be at someone else’s mercy.
At midmorning the next day, Audrey was in her bedroom with Molly, making decisions about how best to arrange things, when there was a soft knock at the door. Audrey opened it and heard—nothing.
“Who is it?” she asked, controlling her irritation. More than once she’d explained how she liked to be told who it was without asking. But she’d say it again. It would just take a while.
“Sorry, Mrs. Blake, ma’am, it’s Evelyn. You have a caller.”
“And the caller is …”
“The Earl of Knightsbridge, beggin’ your pardon. He’s in the drawin’ room.”
She felt a thrill of excitement she had no business feeling. He felt far too protective of her—that was the reason he’d returned. Or he thought she couldn’t handle things herself. “Thank you. Please tell him I’ll be down in a moment.” When Evelyn had gone, she heard Molly chuckle. “And what is that for?”
“You should see your face at just the mention of his name. Go to him, miss. Leave me to all of this. Take a walk and get out of this house.”
“But I just got here,” she said, feeling tired already.
“I know but … it is not the welcoming place I’d hoped for you, miss. We’ll work on that.”
It wasn’t as if Audrey felt like she could terminate the employment of a whole family, not without good cause. But … “Oh, very well, Molly.”
“Shall I escort you down?”
“No!” she said, too sharply, then sighed. “Forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive, Miss Audrey. No one said adjusting was going to be easy, not for any of us. Now you run along and see that fiancé of yours.”
She was expecting Molly’s usual dreamy tone when talking about Robert, the one that made Audrey grind her teeth together, but instead, the maid simply sounded tired.
“Molly, you don’t sound yourself. Are you feeling well?”
Her hesitation spoke volumes.
“I’ll be fine, miss. Just overtired from the travel.”
