Chapter 4
Four
Morning
I have lost my husband.
Presumably he will return, though if after last night he has decided to mislay himself I could hardly blame him.
The thought of having such a wife could drive anyone to desertion.
He left before taking his breakfast and without taking any traveling trunks or baggage of any kind (and yes, I did interview his valet concerning this subject) so I can assume he will return before the day is over as he does not seem the type to go above a day without a clean change of clothes.
I wanted to apologize for my abominable behavior last night (the attempted kiss—the vomiting, oh I still cringe to think of it) but it seems my apology will have to wait. I do hope he returns soon. I am determined to show him how proper I can truly be.
I have lost my sister-in-law as well, but I am not so terribly worried about that.
Mrs. Vane, however, is accounted for. The housekeeper, desperate to give me the location of at least one of my new relations, informed me Mrs. Vane was in her private sitting room (though I had not asked) and if I wanted to speak with her (I didn't) she would go at once and ask if she was willing to allow me the joy of her company (the housekeeper looked as unenthusiastic at the prospect of rousing Mrs. Vane as I felt at the prospect of having a tete-a-tete with her).
I have a dreadful headache which is making me doubt my ability to be civil to the uncivil this morning and thus any interaction with Mrs. Vane seems likely to lead to disaster.
I have elected instead to meet with the housekeeper after breakfast and discuss the running of the household.
That seems like the sort of thing a new mistress would do and at the very least it will make me appear useful.