Page 28 of The Earl and Miss Muffet
Elena bowed her head and retreated another step. Agreeing with her sister was the best course of action. She knew from past experiences that arguing only incited her.
“I’m going downstairs, but you are to stay here. You have a headache and won’t be able to even eat dinner tonight. If you happen to see anyone before we leave, you will not speak to them. If they press you, say something to make them forget you forever.”
The reality of her change in circumstances pressed against Elena’s chest and threatened to suffocate her. Obeying Bianca in the past had been a way to keep some semblance of peace. Now, it seemed like she was being asked to summit a mountain of slippery glass. How could she turn against her new friends? It would be better to feign an illness than to “make them forget her,” as Bianca had said.
Bianca did not wait for Elena to agree—she was used to Elena doing exactly as she commanded. Her sister departed, and the door thudded behind her. Without an ounce of hope, Elena’s knees quaked. Soon she was on the floor, her face in her hands. Her spirit groaned within her, but she could not utter a sound. She could barely breathe. Was there no way to escape her sister? She had one last night at Banbury Castle, but she was paralyzed with despair and could think of no possible plan to save herself.
Chapter 14
Antonmadethecircuitthrough the corridors and back to the library several times throughout the day but to no avail. Elena kept to her room. It would not be proper to try to seek her there, but he could not exactly coax her out either. He needed a middleman. He needed Mary.
He found Mary sketching a picture in her bedroom. “What are you doing here? It isn’t like you to miss a chance to visit with company.”
Mary put her sketchbook aside. “Blake hasn’t come to see me today.”
“It’s pouring rain,” Anton said. “Will you begrudge him for caring for his health?”
“No,” she sighed. “But Elena is acting strange, and I am very put off with her family for ruining our plans. I need Blake to make me feel better.”
“He does all that for you?”
“Yes. He listens and holds my hand. Can’t he sense that I need him?”
Anton wondered if he could sense Elena’s needs. Right now, he could only think of his own. He had a powerful need to speak with Elena.
“I need your help with something important.”
“Please don’t ask me to entertain Bianca. Sophia already warned me about her, and I am not in the mood to be pleasant.”
Anton folded his arms across his chest. “I heard from Terrance that Miss Bianca Muffet did not care for Miss Bliss at the house party. Is that what you mean?”
Mary shrugged. “She just said Bianca could be very demanding and sulky if she did not get her way. I know how much you want us to help with yours and Mama’s hosting responsibilities, but can’t we just leave them to themselves?”
Anton shook his head. “It’s about Elena.”
“Elena?” Mary’s eyebrows shot up. “Since when do you call her by her given name?”
Anton hadn’t noticed his slip. “Never mind that. I need you to speak with her and arrange a way for the two of us to meet.”
Mary’s brows remained arched in surprise. “Anton, do you care for Elena?”
The question did not rattle him as he thought it would. “If you expect me to tell you the intimate workings of my heart before I tell Elena, you are wrong. Will you do it or not?”
Mary’s lips curled upward. “I commend your choice, dear brother. She will be an excellent match for you.”
Anton didn’t have time for this. “Come, Mary. Will you help me? She won’t leave her room, and time is ticking.”
Jumping to her feet, Mary put her hands on either side of Anton’s arms. “Leave it to me. And look, I am no longer melancholy!” She practically skipped out of the room. Anton squeezed his eyes shut and slumped onto the edge of her bed. He didn’t know how long he would have to wait. A woman rarely did anything fast if it involved talking.
A soft knock sounded on her door before it opened a crack. Mary stuck her head through the opening.
“May I come in?”
Elena sat up in her bed. “I . . . I’m not feeling well.”
“Oh, no. Should I have some headache powders sent up?”
Elena needed to get rid of Mary before Bianca found them together. There was no way she would let Bianca bring harm to any of her dear friends. “I’m well enough. I need rest is all.”
