Page 42 of His Bluestocking Bride

“Thank you, Mr. Banner.”

“You can call me Banner, if you wish, as your husband does. All will be well. We’ll feed you a good dinner and provide what you need for the evening.”

“I am grateful for your kindness.”

“If you will excuse us a moment, I think I’ll go look in on the children.” Louisa followed her husband from the room, skirts swishing behind her.

Lowering herself to the window seat, Ellen leaned forward to rest her forehead on the cold glass.

What would Marcus think when he found her gone? They saw each other when they took breakfast together. The meal had been interrupted by the morning post, which had letters from London acquaintances he seemed eager to read. He didn’t stay in the room long after it arrived. Marcus didn’t even mention her visit, possibly forgetting about it overnight.

He would trust the Banners to keep her safe, when he realized where she was. But would he miss her? Would he find the evening meal lonely or the house too quiet?

Granted, she didn’t make much sound or fill much physical space, but she hoped he found her company pleasant when he took the time to share in it.

Louisa returned, a maid accompanying her, by which time Ellen had gathered her thoughts in a tidy manner.

“The children will come down to play before their dinner.” She handed the tea tray to the maid. “And Susan will prepare the guest room for your use tonight. I’ll make certain you have something warm to sleep in as well.”

“You are so kind, Louisa. Thank you, Susan.”

The maid bobbed a curtsy and left the room, steps quick and efficient.

“I do hope you will forgive me for being thoughtless of the time and weather.” Louisa retook her seat, her concern evident in the lines above her brows. “That was neglectful of me. Do you suppose Mr. Calvert will forgive us for keeping you overlong?”

Ellen came back to her warm chair, rubbing her forearms. She’d grown cold sitting by the window. “There is nothing to forgive. Marcus will not suffer much concern, knowing where I am. The staff will make him comfortable and I’ll go home as soon as the roads are clear.”

Louisa blinked at Ellen and her lips parted as though she would speak, but she hesitated. “I can imagine Peter’s worry if something similar were to happen to me. Even knowing I was safe, I doubt he would be able to sleep.”

This would be the true test of Louisa’s friendship, Ellen thought. To see what she made of the circumstances surrounding their marriage. “If you will not betray my confidence,” Ellen said softly, “I’ll tell you why I think as I do.”

Louisa nodded and leaned forward. “Of course, Ellen. Nothing you say to me as your friend will be repeated to others.”

“Good.” Ellen nodded and took a deep breath before launching into a quiet, though thorough, explanation of her marriage to Marcus. As she spoke, Louisa’s face betrayed a myriad of emotions, from surprise, to humor, to something resembling sadness.

“You see, Marcus won’t worry for me any more than he would for another member of the household. Ours is not a love match. He will view the situation practically.” She meant to finish the statement strongly, but her voice faltered at the end and she had to look down to regain her composure.

“You wish it wasn’t so,” Louisa said, leaning forward to put a hand on Ellen’s arm. “I am sorry, my dear friend. When you spoke of growing up together, I assumed your story would be similar to Peter’s and mine.”

Ellen took in a shaky breath and guessed her smile did not look so confident as she wished. “There is nothing to be sorry about. Many couples marry for reasons similar to ours. I feel grateful that the choice was left up to me, not made by my parents, and that Marcus and I get along. Our marriage is one of comfortable companionship.”

Louisa didn’t get the chance to respond. The door opened to admit the nurse and Arthur, with baby Esther on her caretaker’s hip. Arthur charged into the room and climbed into his mother’s lap, already talking rapidly about Nurse’s stories and her promise of cake if he ate his meal.

Welcoming the interruption, Ellen asked to hold Esther and enjoyed playing a clapping game with the toddler, who didn’t mind strangers very much so long as they kept her entertained. Playing with children came easily to Ellen and she hoped she would have her own one day, to share her heart with. Marcus would continue to receive her love, though he didn’t know it, but it would be heavenly to have a little one to reciprocate tenderness and affection.

Much later that evening, as she stood in the guestroom provided by her new friend, Ellen looked out into the dark night outside her window. The snow continued to fall in sheets.

Determined to feel gratitude at being warm and safe, Ellen turned to her bed and slid between the sheets with a sigh. A warming pan had been applied moments before, yet her feet felt frigid.

Ellen curled onto her side and closed her eyes.

Despite her assertions on Marcus’s feelings about her absence, her heart hoped he worried for her, at least a little.

Chapter Eighteen

The sound of the front door closing echoed through the hall. Marcus stepped out of his study, a pamphlet from the Royal Society in his hand. He glanced to the entryway and saw the maid moving from the door.

“Sarah?” he called. She turned and scurried towards him, her round face smiling brightly. “Was that Mrs. Calvert leaving?”