Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
The shopping trip seemed to have sparked a temporary truce, and Richard drew minimal comfort from the fact that his young bride no longer seemed terrified of his presence.
Yet for the next few peaceful days, any suggestion that they spend more than a civil hour in each other’s company after dinner seemed to be gently yet firmly brushed aside.
Mornings were pleasant, with Adelaide always presenting him with a welcome smile whenever he returned from an invigorating morning ride.
Afternoons, and even dinners, were also serene, if not wholly satisfying.
The servants ran their home adequately, and meals were always on-time if not as elaborate as Richard had been accustomed to back in his years as one of the sons of Beniton Hall.
But army fare had never been extravagant, except for the times one was called to dine with Wellington, so the simplicity of their modest meals did not bother him a whit.
In fact, Richard could hardly put a thumb on what exactly bothered him—apart from the strange distance from his otherwise sweet wife.
Was he truly so shallow a man as to be bothered by the fact that she did not come to his bed?
He was no young buck unable to keep a lid on his passions, although he was hardly in his dotage.
But was it truly only the physical separation settling ill with him?
“I was able to send a letter to Macy today,” Adelaide said voluntarily at dinner tonight. Richard looked up, surprised. The happiness on her face appeared genuine. “Thank you for allowing me to purchase the supplies.”
“You are most welcome.” Richard treaded carefully. The mystery of who Macy was continued to dangle between them. Was that what was causing his unease? “Was this the first time you wrote to her?”
“It is my third.” She glanced down at her plate. “But I have yet to receive a response.”
Richard understood. The inconsistencies of the postal system had never been more real to him than during his years away from home. “I hope you were able to send this one post paid.”
“I was. Thank you.”
He acknowledged her thanks with a gentle nod. He finished his food and sat back. “Were you able to assure her of your safety here at Granville?”
“Yes, certainly.” A kind glint touched her eyes, evident even in the candlelight. “I only wish I could be just as assured of her well-being.”
Richard nodded. Miss Ravenstone had promised to treat the girl well, but the woman’s words might not necessarily be wholly trustworthy.
Ought he to send someone, perhaps a former military associate or two, to observe the household?
It seemed contrary to his goals of leaving that chapter of his wife’s past behind.
But she did seem inordinately concerned.
“Are they still in London?” He inquired gently.
“For the time being. Although I wish—I thought Aunt Dinah would be willing to return to the country, after we married.”
Richard had to admit the thought had occurred to him as well.
“Well, perhaps, if you still do not receive a response to today’s letter, I would be able to borrow a servant from Avington House to call on your aunt.”
“Would you?” Across from him, Adelaide’s eyes sparkled.
Was this how heaven rewarded him after all his losses and all his toil for king and country?
To have a beautiful, effervescent wife—and yet be forced to keep away at arm’s length—was almost as torturous as holding a night watch after a battle.
“I hope we would not need it, of course, but it would be such good news to know she is doing well.”
There was no doubting how important mysterious young Macy Pershing was to his wife, and Richard forced himself to let his curiosity rest for the moment.
“It would be a simple matter,” he assured her.
She smiled at him gratefully, and she even sat next to him in a most wifely and gentle manner when they reposed at the library after the meal.
But when it came time to retire, she only lingered long enough to accept a brief kiss from him on her forehead, before hastily bidding him a good night.
Richard stood by her closed bedroom door for a long, quiet moment.
Love, it seemed, was forever going to favor his brothers—and prove elusive for him.
The morning sun streamed in prettily in the modest parlor at Granville.
The main house was not particularly large for such a grandiose name, but Mrs. Mindel mentioned the grounds being plentiful, and Adelaide knew that estates were always more impressive for their breadth than their indoor spaces.
Besides, she was comfortable here—more than comfortable—and had no cause to repine.
She sneaked a look away from her embroidery to glance at her gentlemanly husband, who saw to his own correspondence across the room.
They had begun to share these quiet mornings together a few days after their shopping excursion.
The supplies had been welcome, as was the experience to see her husband’s thoughtfulness firsthand.
But then evening had come, and the meal they shared in their private sitting room, something she hadn’t thought much of when she’d first suggested it, had led to a spark of eagerness in Richard’s eyes that frightened her.
And soon, she was back to the trembling bride she had been on her wedding day, trying to keep her husband at arms’ length as politely as she possibly could.
Was it fair of her to do so? She didn’t know, although she suspected that it probably was not. But when were things ever truly fair in marriage? Most women lost every bit of their power the very moment they signed their names on the register, while men lost little.
And yet, at the same time, she had never seen a man who wielded power more gently than the one across from her.
His very presence might command respect, but the colonel never failed to act with every civility towards his servants or his wife.
Even the shopkeeper who seemed determined to sell off an old, worn bonnet didn’t earn any disdain from Richard.
If there ever was a man worthy of trust, it would be Richard Avington. Hadn’t she found him a veritable refuge during Mr. Bamburst’s distressing suit?
But then again, what good had it ever done her own mother for trusting her own husband?
Adelaide lowered her eyes before Richard could catch her observing him.
Every day, a small part of her resolve chipped away.
With every smile he gave her after returning from his morning rides, with every evening he escorted her into their cozy dining room, with every gentle kiss goodnight at her brow, Adelaide felt her heart softening.
She had trusted him before. What reason did she have to retract that trust just because he now legally owned her, in name and in body?
Her mind in turmoil, she barely noticed the delivery of the post. And only when Richard handed her a letter did she look up again.
“From Avington House.” He spoke with a grave look about him. His demeanor did not seem to correlate with the benign statement.
“For me?”
“Yes.”
She received the letter from him with a curious frown.
“My former military associate, whom I’d requested to pay a discreet call to your aunt’s residence, enclosed it in his response,” Richard explained. “He said Macy slipped it to him in secret.”
Adelaide ripped into the letter, equal parts eager and alarmed. Macy’s shaky hand instantly met her eyes.
Dear Adelaide,
Thank you for sending your husband’s friend. Ever since you left, Aunt Dinah has encouraged Mr. Bamburst to pursue me instead. I try to resist, but Aunt Dinah says she will write to tell the colonel about who I am if I do not at least sit with Mr. Bamburst.
Yesterday, he made me sit on his lap when Aunt Dinah stepped outside, and then he said he would put me in a house near his.
I thought at first that he wanted to marry me (I do not want to marry him).
But then he said he didn’t need to marry me to have me.
I am not very certain what he means, but it did not sound right.
Can you tell me what to do?
Yours,
Macy
A cry flew off Adelaide’s lips, sending her husband to relocate right next to her.
“Adelaide, what is it?”
She passed him the letter with trembling fingers. He read it quickly, no doubt accustomed to perusing army commands efficiently. His usual kind eyes darkened before glancing her way.
“Do you believe her in immediate danger?” He asked.
Adelaide nodded, tears brimming.
“Then, we have no time to lose.” He stood before extending a hand to assist her up beside him.
“What can we do?”
“I cannot profess to have a plan at present.” He met her eyes, determination and protection emanating from his shoulders. “But I dare say we shall be able to form one on the way to London.”
“I can come with you?”
“Certainly.”
“Thank you.” She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him in an embrace that reminded her of the night of the assembly. It was an impulsive gesture, but an instinctive one.
He hugged her back for one quick moment before letting go. “We should be packing.”
She missed the assurance of his arms, but she could hardly argue with his decisiveness.