Page 76 of Christmas at Castle Dunrannoch
“I’m happy to lend a listening ear.” Ursula touched the other woman’s arm. “And I’ll never forget Dunrannoch, nor the moor. I won’t regret the time I’ve spent here.”
Lady Iona rose at last. “I must get ready, and leave you to do the same.” She gave Ursula a warm smile. “Come and find me amidst the crowd, Miss Abernathy.”
As the hour chimed seven,Ursula put the finishing touches to her appearance and clicked shut her door behind her.
No matter what transpires, I must remember that I’m my own woman. Just six more days and I won’t need to rely on anyone for shelter or support. I may easily live quietly.
The thought should have been gratifying but, strangely, it was not. She’d never cared for Society, but Lady Iona’s visit had reminded her of the comfort of friendly companionship. As for love, with the man she’d come to feel so much for, Ursula hardly dared hope.
Lord Balmore’s heart was unknown to her, but he’d spoken so much of duty. How could she fit into his plans? Even were she to reveal her true family connections, and the wealth that was soon to come to her, she was not a Dalreagh. The Earl and Countess Dunrannoch had made things clear; they wanted Rye’s bride to come from within their own circle.
She believed she could make Rye happy—perhaps even find contentment in helping him run Dunrannoch—but she couldn’t expect him to break with his family for her sake.
She’d just turned the first spiral on the old stone stairs and was deep in her musings when she was brought up sharply by voices just below, rising from the third-floor corridor. Only Rye and Cameron occupied rooms here, Ursula understood, and both should have been downstairs by now—but the abrupt whispers were those of a man and woman, clearly engaged in an argument of sorts.
“Can’t carry on like this…has been a mistake.” The man’s hushed tone was insistent.
“Is there someone else? After all I’ve been to you…”
“Of course not, but—”
There was a pause, in which Ursula would have sworn the two were kissing.
Could she continue downward? To eavesdrop made her uncomfortable, but she feared the couple might hear her footfall and realize she’d been listening.
The woman’s voice had turned sultry. “Come to my bed again tonight…it’s only you I think of.”
“Impossible. You don’t know what you’re saying.” The man’s voice again. “Arabella—this has gone on long enough.”
Ursula felt her legs tremble.
Arabella? Lady Balmore?
And the man’s voice. Was that Cameron?
Was such a thing possible?
The two weren’t related by blood, but relations between them would be unseemly. And how long had they been together? Lady Balmore’s husband had been dead nearly two years, but to begin an affair of this sort?
Ursula shook herself.
What was she thinking? She’d never styled herself a hypocrite, nor wished to judge others. If Cameron and his uncle’s widow were in love, it wasn’t for her to criticise.
And it was wrong of her to linger. She’d heard more than she should already.
Gathering her skirts, she placed one slippered foot before the other, taking the steps as quietly as she could. She would cup the flame of her candle as she passed the opening of the stairs onto the corridor and hope they were too engrossed to notice her passing.
Setting her eyes to watch only the treads before her, Ursula resumed her descent. It had grown quiet, as if the two lovers were again embracing. All the better, for they were unlikely to sense her passing.
She’d almost reached the second floor and begun to breathe more easily when a spider’s web loomed in front of her and Ursula stumbled. The candlestick flew from her grasp, clattering down several steps before rolling to a stop. With a gasp, she pressed her back to the wall.
“Did you hear that?” Lady Balmore’s voice floated downward. “Someone’s there.”
Ursula remained frozen. They wouldn’t come down the stairs after her, would they?
“One of the maids. That’s all. Everyone else is downstairs—and I’m joining them.” Cameron sounded exasperated.
“This isn’t over. We aren’t over!” Lady Balmore’s voice hissed. “You’ll thank me in the end Cameron, when you realize my true devotion. No one will love you as I do.”
