Was it in my imagination?
“Yates?” she whispered to the footman who held out his hand, offering to help her into the carriage that awaited her. “Did you see that man?”
“What man, Your Grace?” At once, Yates jerked his head away, looking out across the grounds to where Margaret had been staring.
She turned to point toward the figure, but there was no one there. Her hand fell limp at her side as she looked at the fresh snow fall and the trees that were now waving in the breeze.
It had been the same, every day for the last four days since Theodore had left. She had been so certain there had been someone watching her from the grounds, but between her sleeplessness and the number of hours she had spent crying, she didn’t put it past her own mind to imagine such a thing.
“Never mind,” she whispered to Yates. He offered a sympathetic smile then helped her up into the carriage.
“To your father’s house?”
“Yes. Please.” As Margaret sat back in the carriage, she refused to look out across the estate again, just in case she caught a glimpse of that shadowy figure standing between the trees.
It’s my imagination. That’s all.
When she reached her father’s house, she stepped down quickly, only to find Yates was now the one standing stiffly, staring into the distance.
“What is it?” she asked him, her voice strained with concern.
“Nothing.” Yates shook his head then forced a smile, turning back to face her. “We shall wait here for you, Your Grace.”
“Thank you.” Margaret still followed his gaze. Had Yates been staring at that distant rider? Was someone following them? Or had he been looking at that shadow, that looked rather like a man, now standing between the trees?
It’s all in my mind. I fear I am losing my sanity!
Margaret hastened into the house as quickly as she could. She handed her pelisse and gloves to the butler, then moved toward the voices in the house. She could move with no great energy or enthusiasm though, despite her determination to come. The last few days of heartbreak had left her weary.
As she entered the sitting room, she found her sisters all sitting around, clearly doing their best to ignore their father, in their own way. Louisa had retreated to the window seat to read, Alexandra was perusing some accounts books, and Penelope sat near their father, playing clock patience with a pack of cards and repeatedly glancing at James.
“Ah, she remembers us I see, at last!” James turned to face Margaret on arrival.
Louisa closed up her book at once. Perhaps she saw what James did not see, the tear stains on Margaret’s face and the pink cheeks.
“What has happened?” Louisa asked.
“Happened? She has recalled she has a family, that is what has happened!”
“Oh, Father,” Alexandra hissed in his direction. “Look at Margaret. Can you not see something is wrong?” She left the account books behind and stood, quickly moving toward Margaret and taking her hand, drawing her into the room. “What is it?”
“He’s gone,” Margaret murmured.
“Gone? Who?” Penelope asked, pushing her cards away.
“My husband. Theodore.” Margaret looked between her sisters, determined not to let anymore tears fall because of that man. “He has decided we have done our duty inappearingas a couple. Now he insists we live apart. He has gone.”
Louisa covered her mouth in shock as Alexandra gripped her hand tight. Penelope capitulated back to her chair, clearly so in shock that her legs could no longer keep her standing.
“Gone?” James spluttered, moving to the edge of his seat. “But then…” He started shaking his head. “If he is not there, with you, he would not send money.”
“Is that all you can think of?” Alexandra whispered in horror, her voice strangely hollow. Margaret gripped her hand tight.
“I’m thinking of her reputation, too.” James was in danger of falling out of the chair now. “Margaret, this cannot be allowed. If the ton discover you are living apart, they will talk. They will believe one or both of you will be being unfaithful. No, no, this must be remedied at once.Youmust have done something.”
“Done something? Done what?” Margaret said, stepping forward in alarm.
“I do not doubt you did something.” James shrugged. “Go to him and apologize for what you did. Men like that. Show you are humble and apologetic, and he will return to you at once. Just show you are sorry for the mistakes you have made.”
