Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Anna entered Adley House and was pleased to see it seemed to be in the same condition, if not slightly better.
Perhaps her father had hired more servants.
She was awfully gratified when she was led into her mother’s bedchamber and saw, for the first time in many years, that the Marchioness was sitting in her chair by the fireplace rather than in her bed.
Her silver hair was still braided back like an older woman but looked more lustrous than usual.
Her green eyes seemed to sparkle, and Anna thought that even her frail skin seemed pinker and more robust, glowing with health.
“Mama!” she exclaimed. “You look so well!”
“Thank you, my dear, so do you!” Her mother laughed, holding out her frail arms to greet her daughter. “Being a married woman suits you!”
Anna took the seat opposite her mother, removing her bonnet and traveling coat and listened, amazed, as her mother ordered the maid to bring tea and scones for both her and her daughter after years of only being able to stomach the lightest broth.
“Mama, how is this possible?”
“Well, it’s this lovely new physician.” Anna’s mother smiled. “He has some new ideas about diet and herbs that are most restorative. I must introduce you.”
“Please.”
“Doctor Merkel came highly recommended. I was surprised, as your father does not usually think much of foreign doctors, but he’s worked with all the highest members of society. I never thought your father was capable of such kindness.”
Anna knew the truth, even if her mother was too naive to see it: her father had nothing to do with Doctor Merkel. Silas had kept his promise.
“How do you find your husband now, my dear?” her mother asked as the tea was poured. “You seemed very unsure when he pulled you away at the reception!”
“I was,” Anna admitted, her mind reflexively turning back to that rainy day and the bumpy, silent carriage ride through London with her new, unyielding husband.
“But I am grow surer of him by the day.”
“Oh, that is good.” Her mother sipped her tea. “I was worried. It seems that your father might have made a little bit of a fool of himself. I got the impression that whilst in liquor, he may have said something foolish to Mr Klane. It may have been why he was so keen to leave.”
Anna took a bite of scone, trying to process this information. What could Papa have possibly said to elicit such a sudden, angry response from Silas? Now that she knew her husband better, she knew that such public disagreement bouts were rare; he was much more likely to brood than act.
“I will confess I was a little afraid for you.” Her mother lowered her voice. “He seemed so angry, and I did worry afterwards that you might bear the brunt of it.”
“Me?” Anna choked on her scone, coughing loudly. The idea that Silas would ever take his rage out on a woman was ridiculous! Anna didn’t know everything about Silas, but she knew he was nothing like her father. “Silas would never hurt me, Mama.”
Silas could be cold and abrasive, and hard to read. But he was generous and kind underneath it all and fiercely loyal. She admired that about him. Her mother smiled.
“I am so glad to hear it, my dear, and glad to see you so happy with him.”
Anna was surprised by the word. Was she happy? Fallenbrook had brought her happiness, that was for certain. She was happy to have a sister and to be the mistress of a prosperous and harmonious house. But was she happy with Silas?
“Marchioness?” The maid curtsied in the doorway. “Doctor Merkel is here for your evening treatment.”
Anna was grateful for the distraction from her confusing inner questioning.
She was pleased to see that Doctor Merkel was a stout fellow with a broad smile and mustache, and very clear ideas about how to improve her mother’s health, none of which could be called “traditional,” but all seemed eminently more sensible than her mother’s previous common treatment of bloodletting.
Afterwards, Anna invited the doctor to stay for a light supper whilst her mother rested upstairs.
They talked for a long time about the ancient medical practices of the eastern world, and Anna was glad of Silas’ diverse and thoughtful reading collection that she had been able to make use of at Fallenbrook.
Before they knew it, the early evening had turned into the late evening and the sun had set.
“Thank you for a pleasant meal, Lady Anna,” Doctor Merkel said, pushing back his chair. “But I must be getting back to the city, I fear.”
“Of course, I have kept you too long.” Anna smiled. “And it is Mrs Klane, not Lady Anna.”
“Ah, of course!” The doctor slapped his forehead. “How could I forget? Lucifer has married.”
Anna frowned. “I would beg you not to call him by this name. It does not suit him.”
“You think not?” The doctor raised his bushy eyebrows. “You know the legend of Lucifer, though? He chose to fall from grace in order to protect those he loved. It seems appropriate for the Silas Klane I have known.”
Anna was about to ask him what he meant when she heard the creak of the door opening. Her father stood in the doorway, swaying slightly. Anna frowned. He was supposed to be away. She turned to Doctor Merkel. “Let me show you out, doctor. Thank you again for a lovely supper.”
Only when she had waved Doctor Merkel’s carriage goodbye and closed the doors of Adley House behind her did she turn to her father.
“You’re back,” he said quietly. Anna nodded. “Did he get sick of you already?”
Anna glared down at him. He seemed smaller than the last time they had spoken. Anna remembered the day he had announced her engagement, recalled the ringing slap and the broken dishes. She squared her shoulders and stared him down. She did not belong to him anymore. He had no hold on her.
“I am only back for the night, visiting Mother.” She stepped around him, walking to the staircase. “You will make no comments on my husband whilst I am here.”
“Oh, your husband, is he now?” Her father laughed. “Not the despicable, ill-mannered low life you thought? Or maybe,” he turned on the spot, his face pulled into a satire of thoughtfulness. “Maybe he’s already brought you down to his level?”
Anna bristled. The idea that Silas and Beatrice were somehow below the likes of her father because they didn’t have a title was absurd and insulting. She may have just faulted Doctor Merkel for referencing her husband’s dark reputation, but she decided to use it against her father now.
“I would not say such things, Marquess,” she said quietly. “Lucifer does not take kindly to degradation.”
Her father’s eyes widened, and he looked up at her with a genuinely shocked expression.
Anna turned and walked up the stairs without a backwards glance.
It had not been strictly moral, she thought, to use her husband’s name in this way, but it had been very satisfying.
Somehow, she felt like Silas would be pleased with her.
She was not sure if she was completely happy with Silas or if he would ever let down his guard and let her see his true nature, but she was sure of one thing: she was much happier with him than she was had ever been at Adley House.