“Morning, your ladyship.” The words were innocuous, but when Rose looked up, she saw that Sarah looked troubled.
“Is something wrong?” she asked calmly, cringing inside at the possibility that news of her argument with her husband had reached the servants.
“His lordship’s man told me he’s going back to London today, your ladyship. Did you know?”
“Going back to London?” Rose repeated stupidly.
The maid nodded, carefully looking away to pour the chocolate. “So his valet says, m’lady. His lordship’s baggage is being loaded, and the carriage is waiting outside the house with the horses all in their traces.”
He is leaving me. He is leaving me after one day.
“Help me dress,” Rose said, waving the chocolate away and rising from the bed. “Something quick, Sarah.”
For once, she was grateful for her short hair, which needed no dressing before she left her bedchamber. Within minutes, she was on her way downstairs.
She found Waite pacing in the hall. He looked embarrassed to see her. All at once, she felt embarrassed too. Did he think she was running after him? That she would beg him not to go? She consciously schooled her features into a calm mask, aware she had already revealed too much to him last night.
“You’re leaving?” she asked and was proud of the calm tone that emerged from her mouth.
“Yes.” There was a long, uncomfortable silence; then he added, “After last night, I thought it best.”
She wanted to say, What do you mean? but she stayed silent, watching him. Had he thought she was asking him to leave? She hadn’t meant that, but the thought of saying Please don’t go was unbearable. Impossible. She couldn’t lose every bit of her pride this early in her marriage. Lord knew she had little enough of it left.
“All right,” she said at length. “I’ll wish you a pleasant journey then.”
The strain in his expression relaxed minutely.
Relief. He was relieved.
She swallowed against a sudden clod in her throat, determined not to cry. She wasn’t going to go and howl inconsolably over this. And she wasn’t going to ask him when he intended to return or where their marriage went from here. Because she really wasn’t sure if she wanted to hear the answers to those questions. It was easier all round just to let this happen. Easier to let him go.
“Good-bye, then,” he said, tipping his hat at her.
She was married to this man, and that was how he took his leave of her. With a tip of his hat.
“Good-bye,” she replied, her voice very cool.
And then she was gliding back up to her bedchamber again, while behind her, the front door opened and closed.
Back in her chamber, Rose watched from her window as the last items of luggage were loaded. Just before he got in the carriage, Waite shared a joke with the coachman and grooms, and they laughed, Waite most heartily of all.
Now that he was leaving her, that ready smile of his was back.
He climbed into the carriage looking happy and relaxed.
He didn’t even glance up at her window once as he swept away.
Part Two
Summer
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date…
William Shakespeare
Sonnet 18
From the correspondence of the Earl and Countess of Stanhope, 1809-1813:
7th November, 1809
Waite,
I trust this letter finds you well.
I am writing to enquire whether you will be coming to Weartham for Christmas. Please be assured that there is no need to attend on my account; however, Cousin Harriet has, quite properly, pointed out that arrangements must be made if you propose to be here for the festive season.
I look forward to hearing from you with confirmation of your intentions.
Regards,
Rose
28th November, 1809
Madam,
Thank you for your letter of 7th inst. I do not propose to come to Weartham for Christmas. I regret to advise you that my father suffered a seizure a few weeks ago. He has recovered somewhat but I shall to be taking him to Stanhope Abbey as soon as he is well enough, where I expect to remain till the Spring.
Should you require anything, please direct your correspondence to me there.
Waite
27th September, 1810
Waite,
I hope this letter finds you well. Please pass on my regards to your father—I understand your sister found him much improved when she saw him over the summer.
Your cousin Harriet is in excellent spirits, and Weartham runs as smoothly as ever, thanks to the estimable Mr. Thomson and his new assistant, Mr. Anderson.
The purpose of my letter is to enquire whether you intend to visit us this year, perhaps for Christmas?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Rose
29th October, 1810
Madam,
I write to inform you that my father died on 25th October. The funeral took place today. I hope you will understand that my brother and sister and I decided that it would be preferable for the funeral to take place without delay.