Some days ago, he'd mentioned an upcoming visit to the Devon and Shropshire vineyards, a journey he was to undertake in the fall. Excited to see the place where her idea had saved a batch of wine, she'd asked if she could come - only to be turned down.
Why hadn't he mentioned this long trip to Portugal and Spain then? It seemed excessive that he would not tell her such a thing.
“I am sorry, Your Grace. He has always been a very busy man,” Mary said, affixed the hair piece anew.
Not too busy for Kenneth and Lord Finch.
Sally knew these were unkind thoughts. Their marriage had disrupted both their lives, but after everything, she'd hoped he'd adjust to it, even grow to be happy with her. But no...
After Mary had helped her get ready for the day, she'd taken away the wash basin for Sally's morning toilet, leaving her alone. Without Leonard's company, it had been rather lonely in the manor. Rosy had come to visit her once, which had been nice, as had her father, but besides them, she'd been alone.
Her mother had written her a letter, asking her for tea and apologizing for what had happened, but despite Leonard's advice, she hadn't been able to respond favorably. Too deep was the hurt caused by her mother's deception. Perhaps if she and Leonard had found one another, she might have been able to forgive her mother, but as it stood, she could not.
Oddly, I long for Mother's advice despite being so angry at her. Perhaps Joanna will have words of wisdom for me when I see her.
“You are a rake, Aaron Finch,” Leonard's booming voice came through the window, which had been left ajar to let in the spring air. Curious, Sally stepped to the window and looked down. Sally noticed Lord Finch and Leonard walking in the garden below. Despite her sadness, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as she watched them laughing and joking together. It was odd that he should be chuckling when they were talking about business. Her father never did such a thing when meeting with his partners in business, not even when it was Kenneth, his own son-in-law whom he liked so much.
It was clear that Leonard was still capable of being happy - he just seemed to have lost interest in her. Sally couldn't resist the temptation to listen in on the conversation below. She stretched, undoing the sash so the window opened further. Then, she pulled herself onto the windowsill but yanked the cream-colored curtain forward so that it was between herself and the glass. She could hear them perfectly, even see their outline, but she'd be hidden from view.
Immediately, Lord Finch's voice came up to her ear.
“I am no rake, Lenny. It is true, I met this charming young lady at the ball last night,” Lord Finch said, his voice filled with excitement. “But I am genuinely enchanted by her.”
“Are you now? Well, let me hear all about her,' Leonard encouraged as the two sat on a bench nearby.
“Well, I will give you a detailed description, because her beauty is burned into my memory forever. She was wearing a beautiful blue dress and had the most captivating smile.” He paused, then laughed. “that is all I recall.”
Leonard chuckled. “A dress and a smile is all you remember? You seem to have quite a way with the ladies, my friend, if they are all blurring together in your mind and you cannot tell which was which.”
Lord Finch laughed. “Oh, that is not true. I dare say, the whiskey might have played a role in my poor memory. But I must say, I wouldn't mind seeing her again.”
Sally's heart sank as she listened to their conversation. Clearly, Leonard was not shutting himself away because of work - he was avoiding her because he didn't want to be near her.
“Ah the follies of youth and bachelorhood,” he said now, jest lacing his words.
“I dare say, bachelorhood is a chore at times. really, I envy you, Leonard,” Lord Finch continued. “You have a woman at home waiting for you, and a lovely one at that. I do think you ought to appreciate that a bit more.”
Leonard's tone shifted slightly. “I told you, Sally and I are not a love match. We are... convenient for one another, that is all. That is all it ever will be.”
Sally's eyes widened in shock. She had never heard Leonard speak with anyone about her before - and she didn't like what she had heard. She leaned in closer to the window, desperate to hear more.
“What do you mean?” Lord Finch asked. “You sound more contented. Also, the servants are talking about how well suited you are.”
“My servants?” Leonard asked, alarmed.
“Mine, and your friend Kenneth's. You see, my valet tells me everything he hears and he has heard plenty about you and Sally. I was of the impression you'd changed your mind about her.”
“Well, I suppose it is good they are talking. The point of this was that everyone would believe our marriage was real from the start, so as not to be stained by scandal. The scandal sheets certainly are writing about us,” Leonard said nonchalantly.
“That is what you wanted,” his friend replied. “So now that the honeymoon is over, you are really going back to traveling?”
“It was never going to change,” Leonard replied. “I told her. She knows. We each have our lives, that is that.”
“What did she say when you told her about Portugal,” Lord Finch asked. There was a long silence during which Sally held her breath, and Leonard spoke again.
“I've not told her. I will. Soon. But I do not see that it matters one way or the other. It doesn't affect her, as I said. She can travel as well if she likes. It is up to her. I am not her keeper, nor is she mine,” he said. The words felt like one slap after another, and Sally's head spun with shock. How could he talk like this?
What had happened to the man who told her they were a unit? That he'd look after her?
