An Inconvenient Wife (40 page)

Westcott laid the book aside
and took her hands. “Sarah, I want what is best for you. I was frightened when
I saw you on Polly. Perhaps if I had not been so shocked, I might have been
more understanding. I hope so. What I cannot perceive of is why you kept this a
secret? However I feel about it, this is a major change in our lives, and I
very much regret you felt unable to share it with me.”

Sarah rubbed the back of his
hand against her cheek. “I am really sorry, Papa. At first, I did not want
anyone to know in case I failed.” Her voice dropped and she hung her head. “And
I was afraid you would forbid it.”

“Sarah, my dear.” Westcott
leaned over, lifted her onto his lap, and kissed the top of her head. Her hair
held the same fragrance as Anne’s, along with the girl-child scent he
associated with his daughter.
She is growing up, Westcott. You are no longer
the center of her world, and haven’t been since she went to stay at Lynton
Hall. In a few years she will be a young woman, with even more interests. No
putting the genie back in the bottle now. Anne has a lot to answer for,
however.
“I may have done,” he said “Although I expect you and Anne would
have persuaded me otherwise.” He put a finger under her chin and raised her
head

“I will not try to stop you
from your adventures, Sarah, but there are going to be some rules I expect to
have followed. First and foremost, you are not to go about on those crutches
when you are alone. For the time being, I don’t want you using them outdoors.
The pony….” He touched a finger to her lips when she opened her mouth to
protest. “The pony will come when I feel you are ready, and I am with you. Are
you agreeable to these terms?”

Sarah wrapped her arms
around his neck and kissed his cheek. “Oh, yes. Thank you, Papa.” She loosened
her grip and leaned back to look up at him with a mischievous smile. “Since you
are here, will you escort me to the schoolroom?”

“Yes, I will, imp.” He
smiled, put her down, stood, and handed her the crutches. She had a routine
established, he realized, watching as she eased from the seat onto her sound
leg, and using one stick as a brace, carefully placed the rests under her arms.
Once satisfied, she looked up and grinned.

“I cannot go very fast but
you won’t mind that.”

“No, I don’t mind.” He
stayed ready to catch her but her gait was smooth and the short walk to the
schoolroom was easily traversed.

Sarah halted at the doorway
and looked anxiously at him. “Mother Anne wanted to tell you before I tried
sitting on Polly, but I begged her not to. Please don’t be mad at her.”

“That is between Anne and
me, Sarah, and not something I will discuss with you. Go on, now. I believe
your dinner is waiting and I have things to do.”

Her smile was uncertain, but
she knew that tone of voice too well to argue. “Good night, Papa.”

“Good night.” He opened the
door for her, looked inside to see that the other habitants of the schoolroom
were indeed waiting at table for her, and watched until she was seated among
them before closing the door. He felt drained after the eventful day, and the
half-hearted impulse to seek out Anne was easily dismissed. In all likelihood
she wanted nothing to do with him at the moment and what would he say? What did
he
want
to say? Just
thinking
about her raised a whirlpool of
emotion, thoughts, desires. No, the problem of Anne needed a great deal more of
his attention than he was able to devote to it tonight.

~* * *~

Two hours after she locked
herself in her room Anne was no closer to an answer. It
did
matter,
certainly, the question of Nicholas’ feelings for her. She was no different
than any other woman in desiring affection from her husband, and it had led to
reading more into their lovemaking than Westcott ever intended. Her fault; he
had never pretended otherwise. “You will have to live with it,” she muttered to
the drawn, pale reflection staring back at her accusingly.

You will not abandon these
children and where would you go? You agreed to it and you are stuck with it.
Besides, if the Major is responsible for these attempts on Westcott’s life, it
is entirely your fault, so if for nothing else, you owe him for that.

Anne unlocked the door when
a faint scratch at the door interrupted her gloomy thoughts. Clara was no doubt
in a tizzy by now and word of the argument with the viscount will have already
swept through the house, which she supposed should bother her, but she had more
important things to consider just now.

“Bring me a light meal,
Clara, and send word to the schoolroom I have the headache and plan to retire
early.” Cowardly, but she did not feel up to discussion of today’s fiasco. She
would write Sarah a note, and Danielle, who must be similarly distressed. She
hoped Westcott had said something to the girl to ease her mind, but doubted he
had thought of it. Why should he, when he had a murderer on his mind, along
with a wayward daughter and wife? Which reminded her that she had not found out
what he had discovered today, if anything. Martin might know and she was
tempted to summon him to answer her questions.

No, it will lead to more
speculation among the staff, since it is something Westcott should have told
you.
In the middle of an argument
? The picture of stopping their heated
discussion to ask how his day went was idiotic enough to make her
smile—faintly, but a smile nonetheless.
Probably he had nothing to report in
any case. He can tell you in the morning. If the man is even speaking to you!

Chapter Thirty-two

The consequence of tossing
and turning much of the night was waking later than usual, heavy-eyed and out
of sorts. Anne had never heard Clara come in with her morning chocolate, now
cold and skimmed with an unappetizing film.
Why hadn’t the girl awakened
her?
Anne threw aside the covers and rang the little bell sitting on the
bedside table, annoyed by the realization she had come to
expect
being
waited upon.

“You are not helpless,” she
muttered and went to wash.

Clara rushed in just as she
finished, with a fresh pot of chocolate. “Oh, I am sorry, my lady. I’ll just
put the tray on the table and lay out your clothes, as quick as can be.”

Lured by the sweet aroma,
Anne walked over and poured a cup of the steaming beverage. She stared out the
window as she sipped at it, half-listening to the maid busy behind her.

“Would you like breakfast
here, my lady?”

Clara’s voice intruded, and
Anne reluctantly turned from the view to consider. First the children, then
Westcott, if he was available. No, she preferred to delay that interview as
long as possible. Perhaps she might drive over to Lynton Hall. Anne needed her
friend’s advice—a
woman’s
advice, and she would not burden Maggie with
her problems. Not
this
problem, anyway.

“Just some toast, Clara.”
Anne glanced at the dress laid out on the bed. “No, not that gown. One of the
walking dresses, please, in case I decide to call on Lady Lynton. Is Lord
Westcott in?”

“No, my lady. I believe he
left early this morning for Winchester.”

Surprised at his
destination, but not displeased by his absence, Anne returned to the window to
wait for her breakfast. She had to
think
, but felt concentration beyond
her at the moment.
Don’t dwell on it. Face one thing at a time and the rest
may make sense. You need to talk to Sarah before anything else.

She ate her toast in
silence, patiently allowed Clara to help her dress and arrange her hair, and
dismissing the maid, pinched some colour into her pale cheeks.

Sarah and Miss Caxton were
alone in the schoolroom—another surprise—as Danielle was usually at Sarah’s
side.

“Good morning, Sarah. Miss
Caxton.”

“Madam.”

“Good morning,” Sarah said
with a cheerful smile. Her chair was pulled up to a table, a number of books
open in front of her.

Anne kissed the child’s
cheek and sat beside her. “What are you studying?”

“There is a nest in the
apple tree in my garden and I wanted to know more about the birds.” She turned
one of the books to show Anne a picture. “It is an English robin. We have never
had one build a nest in the garden. I think we may be able to see the babies
when they hatch,” she added with evident satisfaction.

“If not see, then certainly
you will hear them,” Anne said with a laugh. “They are noisy little creatures
when they are hungry.” She looked at Miss Caxton, and with a little turn of her
head toward the door, tried to relay a request for her to give them some time
alone. A successful ploy, it seemed, as the quick-witted governess rose at
once.

“If you will excuse me, I
believe I noticed another book in the library we may find of interest,” she
said, and left them.

“After yesterday I expected
to find you cast down,” Anne said, brushing Sarah’s hair off her forehead.
“Does this mean you and your father are no longer at odds?”

Sarah caught Anne’s hand in
hers. “I am sorry I talked you into keeping it a secret so long. Papa was so
sad I did not tell him. He was angry about the pony, and my going about on the
crutches, but not so much as he was sad. I wish I had listened to you.”

“I wish I had stood firm and
insisted,” Anne said with a rueful smile. “We are both at fault, but mine the
more grievous, as I am the adult and should know better. Westcott has not
forbidden you to continue then?”

“Oh no,” Sarah said quickly,
“although I don’t think he
likes
it exactly.”

“I venture to say he will
become more accustomed over time.” Her heart a little lighter at this
outcome—yet another surprise, and hopefully the last, she stood.

“I must go. Where is
Danielle, Sarah? Has she no interest in the birds?”

Sarah’s smile faded and she
clung to Anne’s hand a moment longer. “Danielle went for a walk. She thinks
Papa was angry with her, too. I told her he was not, but I am not sure she
believes it. She has been gone an awfully long time, Mother Anne. I wish you
will find her.”

Anne smiled. “I will try.
Now here is Miss Caxton to continue your studies. I will return later this
afternoon for your music lesson.” She hurried out and ran downstairs in time to
see Martin place a letter on the refectory table. “Has the post come already,
Martin?”

“No, Madam. This letter was
just delivered by a boy from the village, for you.” Martin held up the tray.
“Mr. Fenton has asked to see you, my lady. He is waiting in the steward’s
office.”

Anne picked up the letter,
glanced at the direction, and not recognizing the handwriting, slipped it into
her pocket to look at later. Whatever Martin thought of her unusual
relationship with the Fentons, he knew by now they were always a priority with
her. Neither Maggie nor Bill took advantage. Indeed, she did not recall that
Bill had ever come to the house to see her.

The steward’s office lay at
the far end of the west wing and had an outside entrance. Bill stood on the
threshold of the doorway, looking over the huge kitchen garden. Though not
cold, the sky was overcast. Anne knew Bill preferred to be outdoors, whatever
the weather, and she suggested they walk through the garden as they talked.

“You haven’t a hat, my
lady.”

“There is no sun, and I
don’t suppose we will be long. You will want to return to your horses and I’ve
yet to speak with Cook this morning.” Anne tucked her arm under his and coaxed
him along. “Now what brings you here? I hope you are not concerned about
yesterday,” she said, frowning. “Did Westcott take you to task?”

“No, he did not so much as
mention it, but will get around to it, I reckon.”

Since he sounded
indifferent, Anne let it drop. “What then?”

Bill halted and half-turned
to look sternly at her. “Lord Westcott did find that two men have been staying
at that vacant house and is certain it is the Major and Meraux. You need to
take care and not go off the grounds, nor go anywhere alone.”

“I am sure he would not have
nerve enough to accost me here! It is Westcott who needs protection.” Suddenly
sick with fear for Nicholas, Anne clutched at Bill’s arm. “Please tell me he
did not go alone to Winchester.”

Bill patted her hand, much
as he did when she was a child, and the familiar sign of affection brought a
lump to her throat. “His lordship drove and took two of the grooms with him.
It’s you he is worried about so you need mind what he said.”

Anne swallowed, somewhat
relieved, but all the men in the world could not stop a bullet. “
Westcott
wants me to be careful?” she said, when she realized what was behind Bill’s
orders. “When did you see him, Bill?”

“He called me in last night
to tell me what they’d found out, him and Lord Lynton, and I was to tell you
and make sure you stayed safe.”