“It is not my story to tell.”
The following morning’s journey from Fetterton Manor to Grayling House was not as lonely as the journey from Darnley Castle. Despite sore heads and unsettled stomachs, Teresa and Beatrice spent most of the journey playing games and going over what Teresa planned to say when she arrived at her family seat.
Indeed, Teresa felt surprisingly calm… until the very moment the carriage passed through the gates of the Grayling Estate.
“I cannot do this,” she croaked, nerves churning in an already uneasy stomach. “Bea, I cannot do this. We should return to your manor at once. It is too soon. I imagine I could stay with you for several weeks before anyone noticed I was no longer at Darnley Castle.”
From the opposite squabs, Beatrice raised an eyebrow. “Tess, I am more than happy to return to my home with you, hiding youaway for as long as you desire. But youwillhave to face them, so the question is: will it be easier to do it sooner or later?”
“Later. Definitely later.”
Beatrice smiled sympathetically. “Ah, but if you leave it until later, they might think that you are utterly content in your marriage, which will make their reactions twice as… loud when you finally speak to them.”
“So, I have to do this now?” Teresa groaned, her hand on her chest, rubbing slow circles with the heel of her palm. Yet, nothing could loosen the knot of anxiety that pulled tighter and tighter with every roll of the carriage wheels.
“I am not saying that,” Beatrice answered. “Iwilltake you back to Fetterton now, but I do not think it will be to your benefit. However, I can promise that, if everything becomes too much, I will take you back there immediately to escape it.”
Teresa closed her eyes, nodding. “You promise?”
“I swear it.”
Holding onto that comforting vow, Teresa concentrated on her breathing, and not ejecting the contents of her stomach, as the carriage rattled on down the lengthy driveway. A path she knew so well that she could guess the moment the carriage would stop in front of the entrance, down to the second.
All too soon, the carriage came to a standstill.
“Be as brave as I know you are,” Beatrice urged, opening the door. “You are still a duchess, after all—you outrank everyone in that house.”
“Unless Isolde is here,” Teresa pointed out, then realized the stupidity of the sentiment. “Goodness, I hope she is. I fear I shall need all the support I can get.”
With that in mind, she grabbed her cane and stepped out onto the driveway, leaning on it as she hobbled toward the entrance. Beatrice hurried to take her arm, offering assistance over the last few steps, until there was nothing to do but knock… and pray that her family were fortuitously elsewhere.
“Lady Teresa!” the housekeeper gasped as she opened the door, a smile forming instantly. “Goodness, sorry—I mean, Your Grace! To what do we owe this unexpected pleasure?”
Teresa took a shaky breath. “Are my family at home?”
“Certainly, Your Grace,” the housekeeper replied brightly, dashing Teresa’s hopes.
“Might you be so kind as to gather them in the drawing room for me?”
The housekeeper frowned a little. “Why, yes, of course. Is everything well, Your Grace? Is your husband not with you?We were sorry not to see you after your wedding. Cook was beside herself when she heard you had gone directly to your new residence, but… Heavens, would you listen to me, rambling like this?” She laughed. “I shall fetch everyone to you at once, Your Grace. Would you like tea?”
“Yes, thank you,” Teresa replied, entering her childhood home, feeling oddly like a stranger.
With Beatrice at her side, Teresa made her unsteady way to the main drawing room. There, she took up her usual seat on the settee, while Beatrice placed herself on the window seat—not part of what would be a family conversation, but not so far that she would not be able to swoop in if required.
Now, all they had to do was wait.
“Tessie!” Prudence arrived first, tearing into the room like a whirlwind. She launched herself at Teresa, squeezing her in the tightest of hugs. “I could not believe it when they said you were here! Mercy, how I have missed you. Mama is driving me to distraction. I shall smother her; I swear that I shall.”
Teresa managed a stiff laugh as she hugged her youngest sister in return. “I have missed you too, but I must insist on you refraining from smothering Mother.”
“Very well, but only becauseyouasked,” Prudence said, beaming from ear to ear as she pulled away. “So, why are you here? Do you have exciting news?”
Teresa cast a discreet glance at Beatrice. “You will find out soon, Pru. Have a little patience. You must wait until everyone is here.”
“Am I going to have a new niece or nephew?” Prudence pressed regardless, bringing a blush to Teresa’s cheeks and a faint sting to her eyes.
Fortunately, she was spared from having to answer by the arrival of her mother and brother, who appeared to be in the midst of an argument.
