Page 43 of His Bluestocking Bride

“Yes, sir. She is on her way to see Mrs. Banner.” The maid bobbed her curtsy as she spoke. “She said to be sure to tell you, sir.”

“Oh.” Blast. Marcus hoped to see her off. He wondered for a moment why she didn’t say goodbye. Ellen didn’t like to trouble anyone.

But he wished she would have known, would trust, that he valued her person and her time. She would be gone for a few hours, and told him of her going the night before, which left him no reason to worry. Yet he felt strangely bereft knowing she would not be about the house.

Sarah rocked back on her heels slightly, bringing him abruptly from his thoughts. “I apologize, Sarah. There is nothing further. You may go.”

She dropped another curtsy and went on her way, humming softly.

Marcus looked down at the papers in his hand and sighed. He would’ve liked to discuss the information he learned with Ellen, but it could wait. There were some very interesting ideas on the proper nourishment for plum trees and he wondered if they might be beneficial to their apple orchards as well. He glanced toward the front door once more before taking himself back to his office to finish his reading.

He planned to write a letter to the Agricultural Society in London to inquire about visiting. Would Ellen enjoy going with him? Her mind absorbed information like a sea sponge absorbed water and she retained a great deal more than he thought he ever could.

He lifted another book Ellen had given him from his desk. A commonplace book. He had ever used one before. But thus far, it had been a useful tool. He sometimes jotted down the name of a book and page number he would wish to refer to later, but he had copied down a few paragraphs in full. There was also a page in which he recorded questions to ask men more learned than he in the matters of caring for apple trees.

He took up his pencil and began to write what he had discovered from the pamphlet, but after a time he glanced at the clock, feeling it must be near tea time.

Barely half an hour had passed.

He frowned at the clock on his shelves and turned his attention to the estate account books.

The afternoon passed slowly, interrupted for tea, before he shook himself of the need to wonder when his wife would be home.

At some point, a footman came in and began to light more candles for Marcus to work. It was then he looked at the time and realized Ellen should return soon. He stood and stretched. Then he took up another book, deciding to sit in the front parlor where he would hear the carriage return.

There were a few things he ought to discuss with Ellen and he didn’t see why he must wait until their usual conversations after dinner. And she might want to discuss her visit with Mrs. Banner. She’d been gone nearly the whole of the afternoon, which was encouraging. Louisa Banner was the perfect friend for Ellen. The woman was kind and intelligent; close in age to Ellen and mature in character.

Really, he ought to be pleased Ellen stayed out visiting late. But the sky grew darker and the time later. He finally rang for the housekeeper.

Mrs. Burk entered the parlor, her customary tranquility doing nothing to calm his concern. “Yes, Mr. Calvert?”

“Mrs. Burk, did my wife happen to say when she expected to be home?”

“I believe she planned on returning by dinner, sir.” Mrs. Burk’s mannerisms did not alter. “But perchance she saw the turn in the weather and decided to stay put. It appears as though a storm is beginning.”

Marcus’s head turned quickly toward the window. “A storm?”

“Yes, sir. I stepped outside a moment ago. I think the coachman would likely advise remaining where they are at present, given his cautious nature.”

“You don’t think he tried to bring her home ahead of the storm?” Marcus turned his back to her, walking all the way to the window, seeing the truth of her statement as a large fir tree near the drive rocked in the wind.

“They would already be here, were that the case. It’s been snowing most of the afternoon.”

He stared at the gravel path leading from the road to their door, realizing it was completely obscured by snow. Why hadn’t he noticed? Why had no one informed him of the impending storm? Tension built in his shoulders as he considered the situation, knowing his wife was five miles away and likely stuck for the evening.

Ellen wouldn’t be home for dinner or their conversation in the library.

She wouldn’t sleep in the room adjoining his.

Nor would she be at breakfast.

Mrs. Burk didn’t look concerned by these things and he wondered why.

“I ought to try to go for her,” he said, turning to look at his housekeeper. “I could get there ahead of the storm and make certain she’s safe.” He took a step toward the door and opened his mouth to ask that his horse be readied.

His plain-speaking housekeeper’s words stopped him in his tracks. “That would hardly be wise. You could do yourself or your horse an injury. Mr. Henry would’ve been here by now if they left ahead of the storm. The fact that she is not here means that Mrs. Calvert is safe and snug with the Banners.”

Marcus knew her reasoning was sound, and more than likely correct, but he ought to do something. A man shouldn’t sit at home in his library if his wife was stranded elsewhere in the middle of a snowstorm.