Page 103 of To Bed the Bride
Bruce moved from the door to stand in front of the sofa. His lips curled back to reveal impressive incisors.
“I should have had him drowned when you first brought him from Scotland,” Deborah said.
The fur on Bruce’s back rose as he began to growl at Deborah. Eleanor didn’t admonish him. Instead, she stood and walked to the door, Bruce at her side.
“I think it’s time you left,” she said. “This visit has already been too long.”
She opened the door to find Mrs. Campbell standing there, accompanied by two of the footmen. She couldn’t help but smile at all three of them.
Addressing her remark to Mrs. Campbell, she said, “My driver and my carriage are outside. Could they stay here for a few days?”
“Of course.”
“Mrs. Richards will be leaving now,” Eleanor said, turning to look at her aunt one last time.
In one way Eleanor was gratified that her aunt had come to see her. She’d put an end to their relationship as finally as a deathblow. Her aunt had said it herself:Don’t count on us. Don’t come to us.
She wouldn’t. Not ever.
Family is everything.She would have to create her own now. How strange to suddenly feel so happy and free.
Eleanor returned to the guest room with Bruce at her side. Sitting on the chair beside the window, she spent several moments telling him what a good dog he was. He responded by trying to chew the toe of one of her shoes.
She gave him his rope toy instead, watching as the footmen brought up her belongings from the carriage. How strange that her entire London life could be packed into only three valises, but then, those things she truly prized were at Hearthmere.
After thanking the footmen and watching as they closed the door behind them, she was left alone with her thoughts.
She’d already decided to return to Scotland, but her aunt’s words had helped firm up the timetable. Perhaps Logan would be harmed by her presence in his house. She didn’t want scandal to touch him. She would leave before he returned from Edinburgh.
She had her carriage and driver. She had her valises, still packed. All she had to do was write a note to Logan thanking him and Mrs. Campbell for all their kindnesses and comforts these past difficult days.
The note was easy. Saying goodbye to Mrs. Campbell was much more difficult.
“And when were you thinking of doing this thing, Miss Eleanor?”
“I think tomorrow morning would be best.”
Mrs. Campbell put her hands on her hips and glowered at her. “You can’t be thinking of traveling so far in your condition.”
“I’m feeling much better, Mrs. Campbell, thanks to you. It’s been a week and I think I should leave.”
“I’m thinking you should wait until himself gets back. He won’t be happy to find you’ve gone.”
“It’s really for the best, Mrs. Campbell. Surely you can see that. I’m a single woman. Logan is a single man. It isn’t proper that I’m a guest in his home.”
“This is England. The English will say whatever they want about the Scots, whatever the circumstances. It doesn’t matter, they’ll find something to gaggle on about. Don’t you worry what anyone says.”
“I want to go home,” Eleanor said softly. “I truly, truly want to go home.”
At Hearthmere she felt centered and real. At home she could learn to deal with this pain. Not only from the betrayal by her family, but from saying goodbye to Logan.
All she needed was the courage to leave.
The journey home was without incident. Even Bruce had taken to travel, enjoying being able to stick his head out the window and see the passing terrain. Occasionally, he saw a flock of sheep or a few cattle. These always necessitated a few warning barks. Then he would look at her as if waiting for a sign of approval. She always gave it to him, telling him that he was a very good boy.
The sight of Hearthmere usually calmed her heart, and gave her a warm glow and a feeling of homecoming. Today, for the very first time, she felt a deep and disturbing sadness when looking at her home.
He wasn’t there. He would never be there. While Hearthmere offered her sanctuary and belonging, it also promised her loneliness. That was the price she had to pay for keeping it intact. She hadn’t realized, however, how very painful it would be.
