Page 65 of Surrender to the Earl
Robert thought that she did mean it but hadn’t quite understood how it would hurt Audrey.
“I think it’s time to go home,” Audrey said, carefully placing her napkin beside her coffee cup.
15
Audrey was very disappointed in herself during the short carriage ride home. Robert rode his horse beside them, and she wondered if her pique had driven even amiable Robert to seek some time away from her.
She was starting a new chapter in her life, and her plan had always been to leave the old one behind. Molly’s illness had made her realize how much she really depended on people. To hear Blythe’s belief that Audrey should not expect so much of herself? It was frustrating and sad and?—
Oh, she didn’t know what. She didn’twantto be so dependent, had thought the freedom of living in her own home would change everything. But that couldn’t happen, could it? Not really—not ever.
And now she was depending on Robert as much as she’d ever depended on Molly, and because his kisses and praises flattered her, she’d thought it was different. But was it?
Yet … she was a woman, and females were powerless in the world—except for Queen Victoria. How could she expect herself to be different, and how could she expectBlytheto be different?
“We’re almost home,” Blythe said softly. “Rose Cottage looks pretty up on the hill.”
Home. And Audrey would do well to remember and be grateful.
“Thank you, Blythe. I want to apologize for snapping at you. You were trying to make me feel better, and I took out all my frustrations on you. My limitations are not your fault.”
“That is kind of you.”
For a moment, Audrey thought Blythe would say more, but she didn’t, and soon Audrey could feel the sway as the carriage rounded the drive.
When the door opened, Blythe said, “Good day, Mr. Sanford.”
Mr. Sanford? Audrey thought. Why hadn’t Francis met them? “Mr. Sanford, is something wrong? Has Molly relapsed?”
Audrey felt herself the center of attention, knowing that Blythe stared at her, and perhaps Mr. Sanford and Robert, too.
“No, ma’am,” Mr. Sanford said in his rumbling voice. “My pardon if I startled ye, but I just spotted a flock of pheasant down near the pond. Lord Knightsbridge had asked about the shootin’ hereabouts, and I thought he’d like to give them a go.”
Audrey felt the tension of the morning drain out of her, leaving her exhausted and a bit embarrassed. “Oh, of course. Robert, you should do that. You are a guest here, after all. And you can tell me how good the hunting conditions are.”
“Our brother might like to know that,” Blythe suggested.
Audrey smiled at her, feeling forgiven.
“Mrs. Blake,” Mr. Sanford said, “why do ye not join his lordship? Both of ye ladies. Molly tells me wife ye haven’t had yer normal stroll. She worries about ye. And she packed a picnic meal.”
Who worries about me—Molly or your wife?Audrey almost said aloud. His invitation was very strange—including the picnic meal. She told herself not to be suspicious—maybe the groundskeeper was simply trying to be more friendly.
“I will give it some thought, Mr. Sanford. Lord Knightsbridge, might I speak to you in private?”
“I’m going to my room to rest before luncheon,” Blythe said. “Shall I take your new bonnet inside?”
“Thank you,” Audrey said, handing over the box.
Robert took her arm and led her away from the carriage, which she could hear jingling as the Collins coachman drove it away.
“Is something wrong?” Robert asked quietly.
“I find it … peculiar that today Mr. Sanford wants me to accompany you shooting, and yesterday, Blythe thought he was following us about the garden. His kindness has always seemed grudging. So this invitation makes me feel that he wants me away from the house.”
“Wait—you thought he was following you?”
“Blythe said he was.”
