Lost in her thoughts, Sally was suddenly jolted from her reverie by the sound of horses neighing nearby. Startled, she looked up, her senses heightened as she strained to discern the source of the commotion.
She narrowed her eyes when she spotted Leonard and Kenneth riding through the thicket on horseback.
“My dearest sister-in-law! What a pleasant surprise!” Kenneth’s warm greeting drew her attention, and she offered a polite wave in return, deliberately ignoring Leonard’s presence as he extended a hesitant wave.
“Kenneth, there you are.” She smiled and stopped, aware of Leonard’s eyes on her.
“Are my wife and children with you?” Kenneth asked, but Sally shook her head.
“No, they are playing with our father. It is just me, going for a walk.” She made sure to sound casual while keeping her focus on Kenneth.
“It’s not safe to be alone in the woods like this,” Leonard warned, his brow furrowed with genuine worry.
Sally’s eyes flashed with defiance when she made herself look at him. “This forest is private property, surrounded by Kenneth’s tenants. Therefore, I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself, thank you,” Her voice was laced with a hint of irritation.
Turning back to Kenneth, Sally attempted to steer the conversation away from Leonard’s unwelcome interference. “Peter is flying a kite with my father. You should see it, it is quite the sight.”
Kenneth nodded, his features alight with familial warmth. “Ah, I’ll go join them then,” he replied with a genial smile. “Do enjoy your walk. But you will be back before dinner, yes?”
“I won’t be staying. I’ll be heading home to eat with Mrs. Farnsworth and Mary,” she stated matter-of-factly.
The sound of Leonard’s throat clearing interrupted the silence. “Eating with the housekeeper and the maid?”
“Do you look down on them?” Sally demanded, eyes afire.
“No, of course not, but you never do,” Leonard said, surprised.
“And how would you know? I eat with them whenever you chose not to join me,” she revealed for it was true. “And I wish to dine with them tonight.”
“Why is that?” he inquired. “We were supposed to dine here. Together.”
Sally’s jaw tightened, her resolve unyielding. “Plans change, do they not? Besides, our honeymoon is over and we each live our own lives now. There’s no need for me to explain my choices,” she replied icily, her gaze unwavering as she bid Kenneth farewell and nodded at Leonard.
As she continued, a tumult of emotions churned within her. Yet amidst the turmoil, a flicker of uncertainty gnawed at her conscience. Did Leonard’s expression betray a hint of shock at her departure?
Could it be that asserting her independence inadvertently sparked a moment of doubt within him? As she pondered these questions, the faint sound of branches snapping underfoot echoed through the tranquil woods, a poignant reminder of the fractures in her once-cherished relationship with Leonard.
CHAPTER28
Leonard
Leonard descended the grand staircase of the estate, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished marble floors when Mrs. Farnsworth passed him on her way up the steps.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” she said with a smile and he nodded in reply, though a smile would not come. He hadn’t slept well, indeed sleep had eluded him for the past week now ever since his encounter with Sally in the woods.
From the corner of his eye he spotted one of his carriages outside, stopping outside the house. He hadn’t ordered one as he had no plans to go anywhere this day. His curiosity piqued by the sudden arrival, Leonard paused in his descent and turned back.
“Mrs. Farnsworth, whose carriage is that?” he inquired. “I didn’t order one.”
Mrs. Farnsworth turned towards him, her expression one of mild surprise. “It’s for Her Grace. She’s going out,” she explained matter-of-factly. Her tone made it clear she didn’t understand why he didn’t already know this.
Leonard’s brow furrowed deeper at the revelation. “Where is she going?” he pressed, his curiosity getting the better of him. He knew he’d told her they would lead different lives but somehow, the idea of not knowing troubled him. Was that his father’s controlling nature shining through?
Mrs. Farnsworth shook her head, her features clouded with confusion. “I’m not sure, Your Grace. Her Grace only requested the carriage. That’s all,” she replied, her tone apologetic.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Leonard’s features as he realized he had nobody to blame for been left out of the loop than himself. He’d stayed away from her after all. He’d dined alone, shut himself in his study and sometimes he’d gone the other way when he heard her coming. Still, it bothered him.
“I see,” he murmured. “Thank you, Mrs. Farnsworth. I wasn’t aware.”
