Page 55 of A Torn Allegiance
“I suppose you are correct.” A small hope rose inside her. “A person could never, for example, be a traitor to his country and be perfectly mannered and congenial besides.” She searched her maid’s face but was doubtful she’d get further helpful responses. What knew her maid of traitorous acts? What knew Elsie?
But Abigail surprised her by responding. “I think a traitor is a traitor in everything. No one could betray his country and not then betray others in his wake.” The set of her lips had become firm, and her nod was decisive.
Elsie was astounded and grateful for such an intuitive answer. She’d never attempted intelligent conversation with her maid before now, but perhaps she’d do more of that in the future. “Thank you.” They shared a smile, and the maid continued with the task at hand.
Lady Sophie arrived shortly after Elsie had finished getting ready, and they quickly sequestered themselves off in the library. “I have the worst news.” Elsie poured out the words right as the door closed.
“And I have the best.” Her eyes sparkled with happiness. Elsie paused to take her in. “You have?” She tugged on her hands, and they both moved to sit by the fire. “Tell me all.” Elsie leaned forward.
Her friend could hardly keep from bubbling up in a great tower of laughter. “I think I’m I love!”
Elsie smiled. Her friend’s happiness was certainly contagious. How nice to find oneself falling in love without a cloud of darkness overshadowing every moment. She imagined it a very freeing and joyous occasion—her heart twinged—unlike her own strange longing for a man she might not be able to respect, one who could possibly be the worst sort of person and who lived far away besides.
“The Duke of Sumter?” she said.
When her friend nodded, Elsie grinned in approval. “He seems to be the best sort of man. Does he know your feelings?”
Here, her friend’s pout brought a bit of concern.
“He’s just so... distracted sometimes.”
“Distracted?”
“Yes. He seems to be wholly focused on Prince Hayes half of the time... I don’t know what to think of it. I know they’re friends, but he watches him and that awful Lamoreaux.”
“Wait, what? The Duke of Sumter watches Lamoreaux?”
“Yes, what is that Frenchman doing here anyway? Why do we allow him to come to anything?”
“I’m not certain. I can’t tell you how often I’ve asked the same question. I think we have ambassadors in France as well, though right now, I don’t know if they feel safe over there. We are not the barbarians the French are.” She lifted her chin. “But I cannot account for the Duke of Sumter or the prince’s need to converse with him.” She sighed. “I’m afraid your good news leads me to my most dreadful news.”
Her friend’s hands immediately reached out to squeeze her own again. “What is it?”
When she told of the prince’s rushing off in a hack and not returning for the whole of the night, Lady Sophie shook her head. “I cannot believe it of him. There has to be some other explanation.”
“I would give anything to think as you do.”
“You would?” Her friend’s perceptive eyes shot to her face, their too-keen expression reading her accurately, she imagined.
“I wish him to be the most honorable of men.” Elsie sighed. “And I wish him to be from Scotland.” With a low, humorless laugh, she shook her head. “And I most adamantly wish he were not a traitor.”
Lady Sophie stood and began to pace. “But you can’t think him one, really.”
“How could I not? How many times must I make excuses for his odd behavior?”
“We shall double our efforts.” She stomped her feet. “We will not rest until he is proven innocent.”
Elsie laughed, grateful for her friend’s pledge to help. “And we tell no one our recent findings until we understand them better.”
Lady Sophie’s concerned expression gave Elsie pause, so she continued. “If my brother or father hear any of this, won’t they be even more alarmed than I? What if he really is innocent? We can’t have my family think ill of my—” She sucked in a breath and then turned to Lady Sophie with wide eyes.
“What is it?”
“I almost called him my intended!”
“You did?” She squealed. “I knew you loved him.” Her swift dance in a circle made Elsie laugh again, but she shook her head.
“Love him? No. It was a slip.” Suspecting she might possibly be falling in love with the man and actually being in love were two very different things. Certainly she had feelings for him. But love?
