Page 71 of A Naughty Proposal for His Winter Countess
“Do you think it's wise to stay with Emma for a while?”
“No,” Martha replied. “At least, not now. Antony is not cruel, Harriet, he's never maltreated me physically, but lately he's gotten cold and distant. Sometimes he doesn't even sleep in the bed with me, and when he does, it's only for congress.”
Rubbing Martha's back, Harriet said, “Do you think he's having an affair?”
“No, but I wouldn't be surprised,” Martha laughed emptily. “He was raised by a father who took mistresses left and right. He's told me he hates the lifestyle, but there are times I wonder.”
Upset with the new knowledge, Harriet could only do what she could to comfort her sister. When the maid came back with the steaming tea, Harriet thanked her and asked her to clean up the broken pottery before she dismissed her.
Holding the cup, Harriet helped Martha drink, until she was steady enough to hold the cup herself. Harriet stayed by her side, while Martha drank the tea.
Placing the empty cup on the tray, Martha seemed to shrink in on herself. She looked so thin and fragile, that Harriet felt her concern ripen to worry.
“I think you should go to Emma,” she offered, “until Antony calms.”
“He'll be calm by the time he comes back,” Martha replied, her voice steady enough. “I've seen it many times.”
Heavily doubtful, Harriet objected, “I have little faith in this, Martha.”
“I'm sorry you had to witness our altercation, and I thank you for your help, Harriet, but I know Antony, all parts of him. I'll be fine. Please, go back to bed. I assure you, by tomorrow all will be well.”
Searching her sister's eyes, Harriet hesitantly asked, “Are you sure?”
“Very,” Martha said as she embraced Harriet. “I'll be fine, Harriet. I promise.”
Unable to do anything more, Harriet hugged Martha back, “All right, I'll see you tomorrow.”
Unwillingly, Harriet went back to her room, still shocked about what she had heard, seen and now knew about Antony.
The only prayer in her heart as she slipped into bed was, that, God forbid that Martha would be wrong and her life would get worse.
Chapter Twenty-Three
There was no reply from the Archbishop for three days and Daniel was growing uneasy. On the fourth day, he woke from a fitful night of sleep with the urge to ride to Kent and find the man himself.
And how would that go?
Snorting derisively at himself, Daniel flung the sheets away and reached for his dressing robe. Going to the annex room, he uncovered a basin and washed his face. Padding his face dry with a towel, Daniel couldn't dispel the feeling in his stomach that something was wrong.
Perhaps the feeling stemmed from the threat he had received days ago. There had not been a second, but Daniel didn't feel this man gave idle promises. He moved back to the bedchamber for his shoes, then went to the dining room.
“Good morning, My Lord,” Mr. Russel bowed, “I hope you're doing well. What may I do for you this morn?”
“I'd like a cup of coffee, and today's paper if you have it,” Daniel replied, then reached for the letter for his mother. “Carry any mail as well but see to it that this is sent off, posthaste.”
“Right away, My Lord,” Russel bowed.
In quiet moments his mind found itself straying to Harriet and while he waited for his drink, he couldn't help but think of her. It was still unbelievable to him that this ruse of marriage was leading to a real one. Harriet was an exceptional woman, and he wasn't sorry their game had played out the way it had.
Russel came back with the coffee, and the paper. “No letters as yet, My Lord, but Mr. Bradford's coach has arrived.”
Mildly surprised, Daniel said, “Another cup for him, thank you.”
He didn't expect Ben to be long in coming, but he shook the paper out anyway. There was more of the same, news about Napoleon, the corporation of the American troops, a meeting with the House of Lords, and at the back, reports and scandals. Staring at it, he remembered the day his mother's name had been blazoned over it. The name of the man she had been with was curiously exempt from the report, and the next day she fled the country.
“At least she had some shame,” Daniel muttered to himself while reading the names of Lords reported to have illegitimate children and Ladies who made their husbands cuckolds.
Ben entered the dining room just as Russel came in with the warm drink. Taking it, Ben gave the man his thanks, and sat across from Daniel.
