Page 100 of The Reckless Love of an Heir
‘Then return while I am still there, and let her take her anger out in front of me so I may protect you from it. I shall steer her wrath in my direction.’
‘She will never forgive me.’
‘She will forgive you, if she loves you, and I think she loves you far more than any feelings she has for me.’
Susan swallowed against the fear in her throat.
‘Come along, let us get this over with.’ He held her hand, and lead her back indoors, only releasing her outside the drawing room door. Then he left her outside, leaving the door ajar as he entered.
Susan peered through the crack between the half-open door and the frame.
‘Henry!’ Alethea set aside her sewing and stood up. ‘I did not know you were coming.’
‘It was a moment’s decision,’ he said.
‘Henry.’ Susan’s mother stood and embraced him, as she always had. ‘My dearest boy.’ She released him, but did not move away. ‘How are you all faring today? I should imagine it feels very strange.’
He nodded and looked at Alethea.
‘Of course, you do not want me fussing over you, I shall not,’ her mother said. ‘Sit with Alethea and I will order tea.’
He did as he was bid.
Susan breathed in, mustering her courage, and walked into the room. ‘Mama, I need new curtains in my room, I think. Would you come and look? Oh, hello, Henry,’ she added as an afterthought.
Her mother frowned.
Susan clasped her hand and pulled a little.
‘Now?’
‘Yes, now. Please?’
She looked at Alethea and Henry, then Susan. Then smiled, making entirely the wrong assumption. Her expression said she thought Susan was trying to give Alethea and Henry privacy out of kindness.
Susan did not correct her even when they walked into the hall and her mother said, ‘There is nothing wrong with your curtains.’
‘I know, but please leave Alethea and Henry alone for a moment?’
Her mother sighed, smiled and shook her head. ‘Very well, I shall walk down to the kitchen and order tea and choose some cakes to accompany it, but Henry and Alethea shall only have as long as that.’
Susan nodded, then looked at the drawing room door that was still partially open. Alethea’s voice carried, she was talking about shopping in York. If Susan stayed here she would hear everything, but eavesdropping would be cruel. Henry had been Alethea’s since birth, the conversation would embarrass Alethea.
But then he will be mine, a selfish voice whispered.
Susan turned away and followed her mother.
They returned less than ten minutes later. No sound camefrom the drawing room as they walked through the hall. Her heartbeat raced so fast she felt lightheaded. The only noise was the porcelain cups rocking on their saucers on the tea tray which the maid carried behind them.
Susan swallowed back her anxiety as her mother pushed the open door wider. ‘Alethea… Henry…’
Alethea stood in the middle of the room, Henry was sitting in the same place. He rose. His expression told her the conversation had not gone well.
Alethea stared at Susan with hatred in her eyes. ‘You are…’ she began but lost the words. Susan saw them in her expression – a traitor, a liar, betrayer, cruel, heartless, sour, thief…
‘I am sorry.’
‘I cannot believe you did not tell me!’ she screamed. ‘You said nothing!’
