Page 84 of The Lover's Eye
“What took so much of your time, then?”
The trail of his fingers stuttered and slowed.He had a sudden, horrifying premonition that she might have learned of Reverend Gouldsmith’s visit.No,he reassured himself,she would tell me.She would be throwing pillows at my head—and rightfully so.
“Just the usual annoyances,” he said, settling in to sleep.It was not a daunting feat with her at his side.“Nothing to fret over.I’m where I need to be now.”
♦
Isobel feigned sleep the next morning, burrowing her head in her pillow as Giles rose and kissed her cheek, returning to his own chambers.She waited until the sounds of his washing and dressing ended, and then she launched out of bed, ringing for Betsey and ordering the carriage to be brought around.
“Where are you headed, my lady?”Betsey asked reprovingly.“You need to rest before enduring more travel.It’s not good for you, I say.”
“I am only going to Shoremoss to breakfast with my sister,” Isobel said, attempting to divert her head in the opposite direction of the maid, who moved around her adjusting the buttons and tassels of her gown.She did not want anyone to see how puffy her face was, how bloodshot her eyes—least of all her husband.
Isobel knew if she saw him now, she would burst into the same gut-wrenching sobs of the night before.She needed a listening ear, even if she got the sharp sisterly tongue in response.
Isobel slipped past the study, where she could hear Finch and Giles talking, and made it to the carriage without attracting notice.She hoped by the time she returned, she would be somewhat recovered and have a suitable explanation prepared for her dashing off.
The road to the coast had been made unpleasant by recent rains, and Isobel was obliged to listen to the squelch and splatter of mud as the carriage rocked over holes in the road.
She was relieved when the vehicle stopped outside of Shoremoss Hall, easing the sway of her stomach and the vicious onslaught of her thoughts.Any more time to herself and she might ravish the boundaries of her own sanity.
“I’m here to see my sister,” she said to the footman in the entry hall.“She’s not expecting me, but I hoped we might breakfast together.”
As the servant disappeared to deliver her message, Isobel felt a little self-conscious for the first time since beginning her harebrained journey.How must she appear, sneaking out of her own home without leaving notice to Giles, and showing up at her sister’s unannounced before the dew had even burned off the lawn?
But Marriane had her shown straight into the drawing room.“Has something happened?”
She still wore a dressing robe, and her hair was wound up in little knots all over her head, pieces of white ribbon flapping as she walked.If Isobel had been in better spirits, she might have joked about her sister’s wild appearance.
“I’m fine,” Isobel hastened to say, taking up her sister’s hands.“Or, perhaps I should say everyone is safe and well, but I must talk to you.I am going mad keeping things to myself.”
“You have captured my interest, dearest.Let me ring for an early breakfast; Martin can join us later.”Marriane rang the bell pull, but when the servant answered her call, she discovered Pemberton would not be joining them for breakfast at all.
“He’s out fishing, milady.He gave me leave to tell you he’ll be returned by luncheon.”
Marriane’s pretty face seemed to drain of color, a swallow disrupting the smooth line of her neck.“How long has he been out?”
“Since half five, ma’am.Said the conditions were perfect for a good catch, and for Cook to expect fish to dress for supper.”
Marriane walked to the settee uneasily and sank onto it.
“Are you all right?”Isobel asked, joining her.
“I may be ill.”
Isobel rubbed her sister’s back soothingly for a few minutes and fanned her face until she recovered herself.
“Oh dear, thank you,” Marriane said, some of the color returned to her face.“Between this baby and Martin’s carelessness, I fear every day has become a challenge.”
“So you are, then?With child?”
A pretty smile curved Marriane’s mouth.“Yes.Dr.Dunn said all looks well.It is still early, of course, but I’ve already made it farther than some of the times past.I feel like I could succumb to this sofa every day, and most everything smells positively rotten, but I am thankful all the same.Every discomfort means my baby is here, growing.”
She touched a hand to her still tiny midsection.Isobel marveled that her sister could sustain new life while in such uncertain health herself.She opened her mouth to offer congratulations, but Marriane continued talking.
“I was so looking forward to telling you things have improved between Martin and me—for I know you despise him—but the last week has been trying.I believe the discovery of Miss Gouldsmith has thrown us all out of sorts.”She gave Isobel a meaningful look.
“How do you know I despise him?”
