Chapter Nineteen
After Greyson left, Letitia climbed out of bed, slipped into her dressing room, and put on a night rail.
Back in bed, she couldn’t sleep despite being exhausted.
She kept thinking about Greyson’s father.
Had he died, making Greyson the Earl of Danbury?
She couldn’t imagine calling him Danbury instead of Greyson.
If her prayers were answered, his father would remain alive.
Lying on her side, she’d wanted to celebrate when Greyson told her he loved her.
But now, given the circumstances surrounding his father’s health, she couldn’t.
It didn’t seem proper. After a while, her eyes closed.
The last thing she remembered before sleep came was hoping to receive a note from him the next morning with favorable news.
The sun peeked through the curtains the next morning as she awoke.
The day looked promising weather-wise, but her thoughts were somber, wondering whether Greyson’s father had died.
If she didn’t receive a note from him soon, she would write one asking about his father’s health.
Otherwise, she would worry all day. If the worst happened, would he welcome a visit from her?
Would he prefer to mourn alone with his family?
“Stop,” she said to herself. Stop wondering what he will or will not want.
It was foolish, since nothing could be done now.
How difficult it must be for a title to pass from father to son, knowing someone had died for it.
All the felicitations to the recipient of the new title, while the recipient mourned the loss of a loved one or family member, felt contradictory.
She certainly didn’t envy Greyson and his future title of earl.
“Good morning, my lady,” Jane said as she entered, carrying her breakfast tray and placing it on the table beside her chaise longue. Recently, it had become normal for her to break her fast in her chambers instead of the morning room.
“Good morning, Jane.” She climbed out of bed, put on her robe, and sat on the chaise longue, fixing a cup of tea.
As she sipped, she heard Jane tidying her chambers and wondered whether she should mention last night.
She trusted Jane and all her servants. However, she’d never had a man in her bed before.
Not since Rutherford. “Jane. About last night.”
“You needn’t worry, my lady. I will never speak of it. Only Mr. Henry and I know the viscount was here, and you can trust him.”
“I know. Thank you.”
“I will return shortly to help you prepare for your day.”
“Thank you.” Letitia said, setting her empty teacup and saucer on the tray.
Then she picked up a cold piece of toast with raspberry jam and nibbled it, trying to catch the crumbs as they fell.
After another piece of toast, she brushed the dry crumbs from her lap, stood, and made her way to the large window facing the street, pushing the curtains aside.
She should go for a walk to clear her head, but she didn’t have the energy.
Instead, feeling restless and unwilling to wait another moment to hear from Greyson, she sat at her dressing table, which doubled as a writing desk, and penned a note to Greyson inquiring about his father’s health.
When she finished, she rang for a footman and handed him the note.
“Please have this delivered immediately.”
“Yes, my lady,” he said, bowing and hurrying off.
She spent an hour with Simon, then did some embroidery until luncheon was served in the family drawing room.
A footman entered the room and bowed. “Excuse me, my lady. A note has just arrived for you.” He stepped forward and handed over the correspondence.
Recognizing Greyson’s seal, she snapped the wax with trembling hands, unfolded it, scanning the words as they were revealed.
His father was still alive and improving.
She was happy for Greyson and his family, yet still felt unsettled and bored.
She left the drawing room for her chambers and had Jane help her change into a lovely cream day dress with a matching pelisse, hat, and gloves.
She decided to go to Blackstone Manor for afternoon tea.
Ready for her outing, Letitia made her way down the stairs and into the entry hall, where she found Mr. Henry standing ready to open the door.
“The carriage is ready, your ladyship.”
“Thank you, Mr. Henry, but how did you know?”
“Miss Jane. I told the driver to go to Blackstone Manor.”
“Thank you.”
He opened the door, and she descended the stone stairs and entered the carriage as a footman held the door open.
Once inside, he closed the door and knocked on the roof.
Her capable driver guided the carriage and horses smoothly and carefully into the street.
Blackstone Manor was only a few streets from Rutherford Manor, so it wasn’t long before she was greeted by the Blackstone butler and escorted into the drawing room by a footman.
“The Marchioness of Rutherford,” announced the footman.
“Letitia,” Emmeline said with a smile. “What a pleasant surprise. Please sit with us.”
“Forgive me for coming without sending word.”
“Nonsense. You are always welcome. No note or invitation is necessary.”
Since Lilly sat in a chair, Letitia joined Emmeline on the settee.
“Please forgive me for saying this,” Lilly said. “But you seem out of sorts. Are you unwell? Has anything happened?”
Emmeline poured her tea and handed her the cup and saucer.
“Thank you. I’m perfectly well. I’ve been worried about Greyson’s father all day since I heard he had taken a turn for the worse last night.”
“Oh, how frightening,” Emmeline said. “Is he any better?”
“Yes, I received a note from Greyson saying he has improved, but I feel it’s only a matter of time. He’s been unwell for quite some time.”
“Yes, we know,” Lilly said. “It must be difficult for Greyson to wake each morning and wonder whether it will be the last day he spends with his father.”
“Indeed,” Letitia said. “I think about that as well.”
A footman entered the drawing room and announced, “Lady Aurora and Lady Anastasia.”
Letitia turned her head to see the twins following the footman into the room. They were both smiling, easing Letitia’s worry. They wouldn’t be smiling if their father’s health had declined further, or worse.
“Anastasia, Aurora,” Emmeline said with a warm smile. “What a lovely surprise. Please sit and join us for tea and biscuits.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Aurora said as both sisters curtsied. Aurora took the chair beside the settee, and Anastasia took the one opposite the settee, next to Lilly.
Emmeline poured them tea, then said, “Congratulations on your engagement to Hunter, Anastasia.”
“Thank you. Warren proposed to Aurora after the Barstow picnic. We’re going to have a double wedding.”
“How wonderful,” Lilly said. “Congratulations to both of you.”
“Thank you,” the twins said together.
“Letitia just told us your father was quite ill last night,” Lilly remarked. “How is he doing today?”
The sisters looked at one another and frowned, making Letita’s stomach tighten. “I don’t know where you heard this, but Father has rallied over the past several days. He’s better than he has been in months,” Aurora replied.
Letitia found it hard to breathe, and the pain in her stomach intensified. Still, she managed to say, “Forgive me. I must have misunderstood Greyson.”
Her eyes fell to the cup of tea she held.
Her cheeks burned, her hands trembled, and her head throbbed.
Greyson had lied to her. He lied to her.
The one thing she couldn’t tolerate in a gentleman was lying.
It wasn’t so much the lie, because everyone told a fib now and then.
It was what it triggered inside her. The memories of Rutherford’s lies and how she couldn’t live through something similar again.
She reached beside her, set her tea down, and stood. “Forgive me, ladies, but I must return home.”
It would be hard to miss the look Lilly and Emmeline shared. Emmeline rose. “I’ll see you out.”
Letitia bid the remaining ladies good day and followed Emmeline out of the drawing room. As they neared the entry hall, Emmeline said, “What was that about? I don’t believe you misunderstood Greyson. Why did he tell you that about his father?”
Letitia couldn’t hide her frustration and hurt, and she rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know. I didn’t misunderstand. I know exactly what he said. It was an obvious excuse to get away from me last night.”
Emmeline took her hands in hers. “Don’t do anything rash.
I know Rutherford lied to you for years, and how much it hurt when you found out he had a longtime mistress and sired several illegitimate children with her.
But Greyson is not Rutherford. Ask him about it.
Give him a chance to explain before you decide to end the courtship.
You both care deeply for one another. It’s obvious to anyone fortunate enough to be in the same room with you both. ”
“Thank you, Emmeline. You’re a good friend.” She pulled her hands away. “I promise I’ll give him a chance to explain, but I can’t promise anything regarding our courtship.” She covered her heart with one hand. “I don’t think my heart can survive being lied to by another man I love.”
Emmeline hugged her and whispered, “Be kind to yourself. Go home, soak in a hot bath, and take a nap. Those two things will help you see things clearly. If not, at least you will feel soothed and rested. If you need me, send word, and I will come. Blackstone and I have nothing on our calendar for tonight.”