Chapter 10
William rode into the village, the reins held lightly in his hand. The evening air was full of the delightful aroma of smoke from nearby chimneys, and William breathed deeply.
He rarely allowed himself the luxury of slowing his thoughts, yet the quiet of the village forced him to acknowledge how unsettled he felt. The pleasant air only brought him a bit of comfort. He had spent the entire day trying to ignore how uneasy he felt, but he could not shake it.
He turned down the narrow lane that led toward The Fox and admitting that truth to himself was the part he disliked most.
James cleared his throat behind him. William turned and without speaking, James motioned toward a table near the back of the inn, away from the crowd. William followed, noting that James’ manner was unusually serious.
They sat. The table was pushed close to the wall, away from the busiest part of the room, and the bench creaked lightly under their weight. James reached for the bottle beside the cups, uncorked it, and poured a strong scotch into one of them.
The wood of the table was worn smooth from years of use, and a faint ring from a cup stained one corner. William rested his hands lightly on the surface as James prepared the drink. James set the bottle down, slid the cup toward William, and waited until it was within reach before speaking.
“There were servants from Lady Vane’s estate here earlier,” he said. “They were talking, and people from the town heard them.”
William waited, the noise of the inn becoming a distant hum.
“They said you and Mrs. Shaw have become too familiar during your visits,” James continued. “Some claimed they saw the two of you together a few days ago. I tried to stop it, but once it started, it spread.”
William took in a deep breath, speaking quietly enough that only James would hear. “I thought everything between Mrs. Shaw and I had been entirely proper. I did not imagine anyone was watching, let alone repeating it.”
James nodded once, his expression steady. “I know. That is why I wanted you to hear it from me. The talk started with the servants, and the rest of the room followed their lead. It was not about anything you did, just what people chose to assume about what you did.”
William leaned back slightly, thinking through what he had just heard. “This did not start in the village,” he said quietly. “My aunt has been watching every moment I spend near Mrs. Shaw. She has questioned it more than once. If the servants are repeating anything, it likely began with her.”
James nodded slowly. “That would explain how quickly it spread.”
“If she allowed her suspicions to reach the household, even unintentionally, then this is no longer idle talk,” William said, his brow furrowing. “She knows exactly how people react when she speaks.”
James shook his head. “Don’t go storming off to her. Not tonight. You’ll only give her more to work with.”
William looked toward the door, the impulse to leave still sharp. “She has created something dangerous.”
“I know,” James said. “But confronting her now will make it worse. Give yourself time to think about this, then decide what you want to say.”
William sighed and nodded. He was reluctant but he knew that James was right. “If she is involved, this is not ordinary gossip.”
“No,” James replied. “It isn’t. And that is why you need to be careful.”
William finished the last of his drink, set the cup down, and gave James a quiet thanks. James watched him closely, waiting for the part he knew was coming.
“I won’t go to her tonight,” William said. “You have my word.”
James nodded, still tense but relieved enough to let him stand. William stepped away from the table, aware that several men near the counter had shifted just enough to follow his movements.
Their voices stayed low, but the attention was unmistakable. He left without looking back, crossed the yard, and took hold of his horse’s reins. The animal stamped once, sensing his mood, but William mounted and guided it toward the road.
The ride toward the estate was quiet. The only sound was the steady rhythm of hooves on the packed earth, and his thoughts raced through his mind as he rode.
What I am feeling right now is much more than anger or irritation.
Suddenly he pictured Mrs. Shaw’s face and the intelligent look in her eyes when she spoke with him.
He thought of the way she challenged him and remembered how easily he found himself seeking her company, how natural it felt to speak with her, and how aware he had become of her presence even in the smallest moments.
He knew that if she were not at the center of it, he would not spare a single thought for idle remarks from townspeople or servants. The only reason any of it mattered was because it involved her.
I cannot pretend my concern for her is simple or harmless anymore. I have been telling myself it is nothing more than respect and responsibility. Tonight proved that I have not been honest with myself.
William urged his horse to go faster, feeling a sense of urgency. The wind pressed against his coat as the horse lengthened its stride, the road stretching ahead in a long, steady line.
Whatever I feel, it is no longer something I can dismiss.