by Ella Quinn
“Good morning.” He kissed her cheek, hoping it would turn into more than that.
“Good morning.” The smile she gave him didn’t touch her eyes. He really was in trouble with her. “Would you like a cup of tea? It is still hot.”
“Please.” Plates of ham and roast beef had been set on the table along with toast. “I take it you are ready to depart?”
“As soon as you are.” Geoff suppressed a shiver. Her tone was so full of ice it rivaled Lady Mary’s.
Her mood made the temperature in the room feel more like March than June. She poured him a cup of tea adding only one lump of sugar and too much milk. He kept his grimace to himself.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked, taking the cup.
“I shall survive.” She broke a piece of toast in half and took a bite.
Not knowing what else to do or say, Geoff applied himself to his breakfast. He had intended to travel in the coach with her, but perhaps he’d be better off riding his horse instead. Maybe time without him would help her forgive him.
A few minutes later, she rose from the table. “I must see to the disposition of the servants.”
Servants? When he’d left yesterday they were taking two personal servants, two grooms, two coachmen, and a butler. Were there more? When had that happened?
He glopped the rest of his food, and hurried after her. He arrived in the hall as she was bustled through the front door. Lengthening his stride, he followed.
Two traveling coaches piled high with trunks stood in the street. In addition to the servants he knew were joining them, two additional females were getting into the carriage assisted by two footmen. One footman climbed up to sit with William Coachman after the housekeeper and maid were settled. The other went to stand by Elizabeth’s carriage.
She called to the coachman, “We’ll see you at luncheon.”
“Yes, my lady.” The carriage took off at a smart pace down the street.
“My lady?” Geoff said.
Elizabeth turned to look at him, then, in an excruciating polite voice, replied, “Yes, my lord?”
A groom he didn’t recognize and her dresser were standing by. Damn, he didn’t want to talk to her in front of the servants. He held out his arm. “Will you come with me, please?”
“Of course.” Placing her fingers lightly on his arm she allowed him to lead her a short way away from the carriages and servants. “Have you added to the number of staff?”
“Both your mother and grandmother suggested a footman in addition to my own, a maid and a housekeeper who can also cook were necessary. I agreed.”
Geoff couldn’t very well argue with her. After all, both women had more experience than he did in setting up a household in a foreign country. “Very well.” He glanced back at the coaches just as Riddle, his groom, drove his phaeton up and was startled not to see his Roan Blues hooked up to the vehicle. “I take it there was not enough room in the second coach for all of the servants?”
“No, as a matter of fact, there was not.” Elizabeth’s tone was still slightly below freezing. He was beginning to detest being in her black book. “Vickers, my maid, will have to travel in our coach.”
He had no idea if Elizabeth did not wish to spend time alone with him, or if the servants’ coach really would have been too crowded. Not that it mattered. She’d already sent the other servants on their way. “You don’t happen to know where my pair is, do you?”
“Yes.” She gave him another too-polite smile. “All the horses we are taking with us have been sent ahead. Your father has posted some of his horses along the way. After keeping us here for so long, he wished to ensure we made good time to Harwich. This way we will not have to spare the horses.”
That would not have been difficult for Father to do. Geoff just wished he’d been told about it. “Do you happen to know when he sent them?”
“The day before yesterday. Your father told me before dinner last evening.” She raised a brow, and regarded him with eyes that seemed to be devoid of emotion. “I assume if you had bothered to come home, you would have known about it before this morning.”
He thought about how his mother would have reacted to his father failing to appear for dinner and not sending word, and decided Elizabeth was not being nearly as hard on him as she could be. Then again, who knew what punishment she had in mind for later?
The option of riding his horse had been taken away from him. He cleared his throat. “Would you mind if I drove my phaeton?”
“You may do as you wish.” She walked back to the coaches and then turned to face him. “We must depart.”
Geoff knew it was an act of pure cowardice that had kept him from Elizabeth’s side. She was upset and rightfully so. He simply did not know how to make it better.
Before he could assist her into her coach, his mother beckoned from the door. “I wanted to see you off.” Mama hugged Elizabeth and whispered to her. Next she embraced him. “I wish you great joy in your marriage, but to have it you must come to care for Elizabeth as you should.”
“I do,” he whispered back.
“No, you do not.” Mama stepped back from him. “You will have to figure it out on your own, but I have faith that you will. Your father and grandfather certainly did.”
Geoff was more confused now than he had been before. Leaving the house yesterday had obviously not been one of his better ideas. Or should he have demanded to be let into Elizabeth’s bedchamber? “I hope you’ll visit when things settle down.”
“Perhaps we will.” She gave him a little push. “Go help your wife.”
He got to his carriage just as a footman was getting ready to assist Elizabeth into the coach. “Please allow me, my dear.” Again, she regarded him with an apathetic gaze, but placed her hand in his. After she had arranged her skirts, he helped her maid into the vehicle. “I shall see you at the first stop.”
“Until then.” Elizabeth did not even turn her head to look at him when she spoke.
Guilt warred with growing anger as Geoff closed the door, and went around to his phaeton. He did not enjoy being treated this way. Her mood can’t last long, he told himself, praying he was correct. “I’ll drive ’em.”
The second groom jumped down. “I’ll be happy to sit with the coachman, my lord.”
Climbing onto his carriage, Geoff said, “I’ve never seen him before.”
“No, my lord. That’s Farley. He’d be her ladyship’s groom.”
Riddle climbed on the back, and Geoff started the pair. “Motion for her ladyship’s coach to follow. That way we won’t have to deal with their dust.”
Although the residents of Mayfair were, for the most part, still in their beds, servants, drays, and other wagons were rapidly filling the streets. He worked his way through the morning traffic, keeping an eye out for Elizabeth’s coach. By the time they reached the first toll on the other side of the metropolis, they had been on the road for almost two hours.
“I hope we’ll make better time now.” He also needed time to think about what had happened with Elizabeth and the meaning of what his mother had said.
He thought he had been treating his wife properly. Yet, obviously, neither his mother nor wife agreed. It was his going out so shortly after their marriage that was the problem. He would have been better off staying at home. Even Nettle had been miffed with Geoff. Still, all he could do was give her a few days to mend her temper and not make the same mistake twice.
At the first stop to change the horses, he was met with the news that they would have luncheon at the Queen’s Head in Chelmsford.
Arriving just ahead of her, he strode to the vehicle carrying his wife, opened the door, and let the steps down. “Do you wish to stretch your legs? We can walk around the yard until our refreshments arrive.”
“Yes, thank you,” Elizabeth said. She seemed to be in a better mood than earlier.
Fortunately, the area was neither too dusty or too damp. They were able to make one full circuit of the large yard
before the inn’s servants rushed out with cups of tea and plates of biscuits. As soon as they were able to consume the repast, and the new horses were harnessed, they left again. His wife had still not spoken more than was strictly necessary.
He climbed back in the phaeton, passing the coach before signaling they should follow. The day remained dry and fair, and the traffic was light. Shortly after noon, they sat down to an excellent luncheon.
“I know your father arranged rooms for us here,” Elizabeth said. “But if you think we will arrive in Harwich before dark, I would prefer to press on.”
“I’ll inform the landlord, and Nettle.” Geoff found himself wondering if it was him she was trying to avoid or if she simply wanted to reach Harwich.
Considering her behavior it’s probably me.
Leaving the room, he called for his valet first, sending that worthy on his way. The innkeeper he dealt with himself. He was pleased to discover that his father, already perceiving Geoff’s need to complete the journey in as short a time as possible, had notified the inn the rooms would not be required.
“Good luck to you, my lord,” the innkeeper said. “We will hope to see you back on good English soil before too long.”
“Thank you.” Glancing out the door, he saw Elizabeth was almost to her coach, the footman standing by.
Rushing out, he made sure he was there to help her up the steps. Once she and her maid were settled, Geoff gave the coachman the office to depart. A few minutes later, he easily caught up to and passed the carriage.
Before the sun set that evening they pulled into the Three Cups in Harwich.
The hotel’s landlord hurried to the door to greet them. “Welcome to the Three Cups, my lord, my lady. I’m Abraham Hinde, the owner. Everything is in readiness for you. Your man arrived not more than an hour ago and said you’d be with us this evening.”
“It was a long day of travel, but we are very grateful to be here, Mr. Hinde.” Elizabeth gave the man a gracious smile. One that Geoff would kill to receive at this point. “Thank you.”
“Your maid is just inside to show you to your rooms, my lady. I’ve a private parlor for you overlooking the garden. Dinner will be served as soon as you’re ready for it.”
Geoffrey held out his arm to Elizabeth, and she could do nothing other than place her fingers on it, ignoring the tingling she always experienced when touching him. All day, he had been considerate and contrite. Obviously, he knew she was angry with him—heartbreakingly—was that even a word? It did not matter. That was how she felt—hurt was more like it, but she doubted he would comprehend that. All day she’d had to hide her despair and pretend she was irritated. Not telling him what he had done to hurt her grated on her nerves. She wanted it all out, but Geoffrey’s mother and grandmother knew him best, and they had agreed that he would merely tell her what she wanted to hear. She did wonder what he would say when he discovered they were not sleeping together.
Vickers, who had traveled with the other servants after the last change of horses by the expedient of having the housemaid ride with the coachman, waited at the foot of the stairs. “I’ve got your wash water ready, my lady.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth did not even consider having dinner with Geoffrey. She could not keep up the pretense needed for that long. “I will take a tray in my room and retire after I have dined.”
“As you wish, my lady. I’ll send a message to the landlord while you wash.”
She was soon in a very comfortable bedchamber large enough to contain a massive bed, a round table with four chairs, a chaise, and two chintz-covered chairs next to the fireplace that had been lit. Once she was out of her carriage gown and in a day dress, she washed her face and hands. Not long afterward dinner was served.
“How was the last part of your trip?” she asked her maid.
Vickers grinned. “I don’t think I ever traveled so fast. Mr. Nettle was determined he’d be here to make everything ready for you and his lordship.”
A vase of fresh flowers stood on the table, and the scent of lavender was a nice surprise. Elizabeth’s own pillows were on the bed. “I am glad he did, but I see your hand in this room. Thank you.”
“You might as well be comfortable, my lady.” Despite her maid’s words, the woman flushed pink. “I’ll ring to have these dishes collected.”
“Tomorrow, we shall take a stroll around the town.” Elizabeth tried to hide a yawn, but she could never fool her maid.
Vickers put the dishes outside the door. “Let’s get you ready for bed, or you’ll be fagged to death in the morning. I don’t know why we even had you put on that gown.” As quickly as she could make it happen, Elizabeth was nestled under the covers. “His lordship wished you a good sleep.”
Wishing her maid had not told her, she didn’t answer. Instead, she rolled onto her side, and longed for her husband’s strong, lean body to be next to her. Could she keep this act up long enough for him to fall in love with her or figure out that he already was?
Once the candle had been extinguished, she pulled a pillow around to her back. It wasn’t him, but it might help her sleep.
Elizabeth woke long after dawn the next day to the news that Geoffrey had left their hotel to leave a message for the ship’s captain, and look around the medieval market town.
She did not see him until much later that morning when he came striding into their private parlor. “I spoke with the captain of our ship. If we can get everything loaded by tomorrow afternoon, we may depart on the evening tide and arrive in the morning.”
Although she had spent a great deal of time on boats, she had never taken a journey on one. Never mind one large enough to carry their horses and coaches. She was a little worried that it would not all fit.
She was sure Geoffrey had told the skipper how many people, animals, and coaches they had with them, but still.... “Did you discuss where he would put everything?”
“It will be enough room for everybody and everything.” His grin was so boyish, it almost melted her heart. Why could he not love her as she loved him? “If it had not, my groom would have stayed behind to bring what was left across.”
“Where are the horses?”
“In the hotel’s stables. They traveled by easy stages and arrived early yesterday. They all look to be in good condition.”
“I hope they do well on the crossing.” Thinking of that, she should speak with the landlady about remedies for mal de mer. Many people suffered from seasickness.
“The ship should be at the dock. I’ll take a look at our quarters. Which trunks would you like to have taken on board first?”
Elizabeth was trying her best to be cool toward him, but she was so excited to be on their way, she almost forgot. Still, if she wanted him to want her, she had to keep up the pretense. “I shall coordinate that with Mrs. Robins, and meet you at the ship.”
That afternoon, all the trunks with the household items had been placed in one of the holds. Elizabeth was amazed at how much the ship could carry. Accompanied by her housekeeper, she toured the area where the horses would be stabled. “How do you get them in hold? I cannot imagine they can climb down the ladder.”
Mr. Havers, the Sally Ann’s first officer, chuckled. “No, my lady, we’ll have a sling rigged up and lift them from the pier into the boat. They’ll come out the same way.”
“That’s clever, don’t you think, my lady?” Vickers said, gazing at the ship.
Elizabeth nodded. “I do think it. Exceedingly clever.”
He went on to tell them that the crew would load the carriages on the boat in the same fashion.
“What about the wind?” she asked. “My husband seems sure we will be able to depart tomorrow evening, yet I have heard one can wait for days waiting for it to be in the right quarter.”
“We’ll have a few days of good wind before she changes. Always happens like this, my lady. If the captain says we’ll be in good skin, you can trust him to know.”
“Thank you.” With her quest
ions answered, she and Mrs. Robins bid him adieu and headed down The Quay toward Church Street and the hotel. When they were almost at the hotel, Elizabeth asked, “Have you ever been on a ship?”
“Yes, my lady. I’ve been to Ireland and back. Don’t worry for me. I never get seasick. I know those who do, and it’s not fun to nurse them.”
Elizabeth imagined it would be a great deal of work. But if any of their people fell ill, she would do her part. By the time she returned to the hotel, the landlady assured her that all the remedies she likely needed would be ready.
Luckily, she and Geoffrey had each been so busy they had not had time to exchange more than a few sentences all day. Elizabeth dressed for dinner, dreading the meal. It would be the first time they were alone since she discovered that he did not love her.
However, the Fates must have been with her. Just as she was about to go down to the parlor, Geoffrey came running up the stairs.
He eyed her warily. “There are a group of fellows with the 73rd Regiment staying at the Black Bull. They’ve been waiting a week to leave here, and they are out on the morning tide. If you do not mind, I’d like to find out what I can from them.”
Elizabeth almost gave him a heartfelt smile, but remembered her role just in time. “Have a pleasant evening. I shall be fine by myself.”
For a second his lips pinched together as if he was displeased. Would he finally mention her behavior? But all he said was, “Very well. I will. Do not wait up for me. I shall likely be late.”
She took great gulps of air as he turned and walked down the stairs.
I will not cry, I will not cry.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Geoff’s excitement at seeing two of his old school friends and meeting other members of their unit died under Elizabeth’s frosty reception.
At some point he was going to have to address the problems they were having. Yet, he couldn’t seem to bring himself to the point. Tomorrow, after they sailed, he would insist they work out what was upsetting her.