a fool, sir,’ she flashed, thoroughly roused. ‘One does not beg for what one does not want!’
The earl laughed harshly at her retort as he flung himself out of the room. Lady Aldringham, trembling with rage and remorse, threw herself upon the pillows and sobbed herself to sleep.
* * * *
Breakfast proved a strained affair, with Borster later informing his wife with a wink that all was not well with the newlyweds. Melissa spent the day with Mrs Borster, returning the expected answers to the housekeeper’s questions as they toured the house, and if Mrs Borster suspected that Melissa was only half listening to her, she did not mention it, and she later informed her spouse that the mistress was leaving the running of the house entirely to her, at least for the present.
Returning to the great hall around noon, my lady learned that Aldringham had gone to the stables and would not be back until dinner. The afternoon wore on, and the dinner hour approached. The earl had still not appeared and Melissa began to feel a little anxious. She had passed the time by visiting the gardens, escorted by the gardener, an ancient who gave the impression of having been at Russetts since it was built centuries earlier. Having promised to speak to the earl and authorize extra help for the old man, Melissa set him to work improving the old shrubbery, where years of neglect had allowed the bushes to straggle over the secluded paths. When at last Melissa came indoors, she could not settle and on the pretext of inspecting the library she found the opportunity to gaze out towards the sweeping drive. The large clock on the mantelpiece chimed ponderously. Six o’clock. Lady Aldringham was about to summon Borster and ask him to put dinner back another hour when she saw two riders approaching. Staring out of the window, she recognized one of them as her husband and felt a surge of relief, but this was swiftly followed by apprehension: if the earl was bringing a guest for dinner there would be little chance to make up their quarrel, and it would not be polite for her to disappear to her room. She waited in the library until she heard the two gentlemen enter the hallway, then drawing a deep, steadying breath she went out to greet them.
Chapter Ten
The savage scowl on her husband’s face warned Melissa that she had not been forgiven. With a sinking heart, she schooled her features into a smile.
‘So you are returned at last, sir. We had feared you lost.’
‘Bumped into an old acquaintance.’ He indicated his companion with a wave of his arm. ‘Let me present Mr Vernon Courtenay to you, my love. Mr Courtenay is staying at Croxham Hall, a few miles from here. I’ve invited him to join us for dinner.’
If Aldringham had been hoping to disconcert his wife he was disappointed. She curtsied to the gentleman, saying pleasantly, ‘Indeed sir, we should be honoured by your company. I will instruct Borster to set another place.’
The two gentlemen made their way into the library, Aldringham calling for brandy as they disappeared into the room. Melissa gave her instructions to Borster then hurried to her room to change her dimity robe for an evening gown of red damask. After her maid had rearranged her hair, a critical glance in the mirror told Melissa she was ready to go down to dinner: there was nothing Aldringham could fault in her appearance.
Taking a few deep breaths to steady her jangled nerves, she made her way downstairs, hoping that Aldringham would not prove difficult. As she entered the library she paused, uncertain of her welcome. Aldringham glanced up from his chair by the fire and called to her carelessly.
‘Come in, my dear! I have been telling Mr Courtenay how much you like this place.’
‘It is indeed a fine building, ma’am. One of the finest in the country, I am told!’ declared that gentleman with enthusiasm.
‘Yes, I find it quite delightful, sir, and set in such beautiful country.’
Mr Courtenay took her
The earl laughed harshly at her retort as he flung himself out of the room. Lady Aldringham, trembling with rage and remorse, threw herself upon the pillows and sobbed herself to sleep.
* * * *
Breakfast proved a strained affair, with Borster later informing his wife with a wink that all was not well with the newlyweds. Melissa spent the day with Mrs Borster, returning the expected answers to the housekeeper’s questions as they toured the house, and if Mrs Borster suspected that Melissa was only half listening to her, she did not mention it, and she later informed her spouse that the mistress was leaving the running of the house entirely to her, at least for the present.
Returning to the great hall around noon, my lady learned that Aldringham had gone to the stables and would not be back until dinner. The afternoon wore on, and the dinner hour approached. The earl had still not appeared and Melissa began to feel a little anxious. She had passed the time by visiting the gardens, escorted by the gardener, an ancient who gave the impression of having been at Russetts since it was built centuries earlier. Having promised to speak to the earl and authorize extra help for the old man, Melissa set him to work improving the old shrubbery, where years of neglect had allowed the bushes to straggle over the secluded paths. When at last Melissa came indoors, she could not settle and on the pretext of inspecting the library she found the opportunity to gaze out towards the sweeping drive. The large clock on the mantelpiece chimed ponderously. Six o’clock. Lady Aldringham was about to summon Borster and ask him to put dinner back another hour when she saw two riders approaching. Staring out of the window, she recognized one of them as her husband and felt a surge of relief, but this was swiftly followed by apprehension: if the earl was bringing a guest for dinner there would be little chance to make up their quarrel, and it would not be polite for her to disappear to her room. She waited in the library until she heard the two gentlemen enter the hallway, then drawing a deep, steadying breath she went out to greet them.
Chapter Ten
The savage scowl on her husband’s face warned Melissa that she had not been forgiven. With a sinking heart, she schooled her features into a smile.
‘So you are returned at last, sir. We had feared you lost.’
‘Bumped into an old acquaintance.’ He indicated his companion with a wave of his arm. ‘Let me present Mr Vernon Courtenay to you, my love. Mr Courtenay is staying at Croxham Hall, a few miles from here. I’ve invited him to join us for dinner.’
If Aldringham had been hoping to disconcert his wife he was disappointed. She curtsied to the gentleman, saying pleasantly, ‘Indeed sir, we should be honoured by your company. I will instruct Borster to set another place.’
The two gentlemen made their way into the library, Aldringham calling for brandy as they disappeared into the room. Melissa gave her instructions to Borster then hurried to her room to change her dimity robe for an evening gown of red damask. After her maid had rearranged her hair, a critical glance in the mirror told Melissa she was ready to go down to dinner: there was nothing Aldringham could fault in her appearance.
Taking a few deep breaths to steady her jangled nerves, she made her way downstairs, hoping that Aldringham would not prove difficult. As she entered the library she paused, uncertain of her welcome. Aldringham glanced up from his chair by the fire and called to her carelessly.
‘Come in, my dear! I have been telling Mr Courtenay how much you like this place.’
‘It is indeed a fine building, ma’am. One of the finest in the country, I am told!’ declared that gentleman with enthusiasm.
‘Yes, I find it quite delightful, sir, and set in such beautiful country.’
Mr Courtenay took her
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