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Eleanor was very wealthy, she thought suddenly. She had married well. Maybe she could ask her dear friend for a loan, to pay off the family’s debts and secure a dowry for Margaret? Or if Eleanor was unable to do it, perhaps some other friend. Maybe Jackson would never have to know about it at all and she could just put it behind her…
Her face twisted. It wasn’t a likely proposition, even if she screwed up her courage to ask someone. And how could she put Eleanor, or anyone else, in such a position? It would be taking advantage of their friendship and might drive a wedge between them. And Eleanor’s money was not her own. She would have to ask her husband and that would involve Lord Reynolds in this mess as well.
Patricia’s face burnt with mortification. That she had been reduced to such scheming. The utter shame of it.
There was a sudden knock at the door, and then Sally’s voice drifted through the wood. “Your Grace? Are you feeling quite well today and ready to dress?”
Patricia took a deep breath, jumping out of the bed and quickly unlocking the door. Then she swung it open, gazing at the maid.
“Come in, Sally,” she said slowly. “I am feeling much better.” She paused. “Is His Grace still abed?”
The maid shook her head, as she walked into the room. “No, your Grace. His Grace is working in his study already. He said that he couldn’t sleep and that he might as well do some work before breakfast.”
Patricia nodded, taking a deep breath. “Very good. I think my lavender gown with the cream lace trim today, Sally. I am intending to visit a good friend as soon as breakfast is done.”
She sat down at her dressing table, her heart thudding again. She was going to visit Eleanor and get the advice she needed. She tried to push the thought of everything else to one side. She needed to focus. It wasn’t going to be easy speaking to her friend of her troubles. How fervently she wished it just wasn’t necessary at all.
* * *
Jackson was sitting at the head of the table when she finally made her way into the dining room. He stood up, gazing at her keenly.
“My dear,” he said slowly. “Are you feeling better? I was so very worried…”
Patricia forced a smile onto her face as she took her seat. “I am sorry I worried you, Jackson. It was a bad headache that came upon me quite suddenly. But it has dissipated now with a good long rest.” She exhaled slowly. “I declare myself as fit as a fiddle.”
He looked relieved and took his seat again. He stared at her intently for a long moment. “Patricia…”
She gave him a dazzling smile. “May I take the carriage as soon as breakfast is done? Lady Reynolds has asked me to visit today, and I am eager to see her.” She paused. “I am sure you would like the place to yourself. I shall not be very long.”
His face fell a little, but he quickly rallied. “Of course, you may. You do not need to ask me, Patricia. The carriage is at your disposal whenever you so desire.”
A maid entered the room, carrying trays of sausages and poached eggs. They were silent, as she served them. Patricia covertly glanced at her husband, trying to gage his mood at her request. He seemed a trifle disappointed but not sullen about her wanting to visit a friend so abruptly.
“You did not have anything planned for us today, did you?” she asked, as soon as the maid was gone, picking up her teacup and taking a deep sip of the steaming hot liquid. She found it quite restorative.
He shook his head quickly. “No…” his voice trailed away uncertainly, before he reached out, taking her hand. “I suppose I am just being selfish, that is all. I have grown used to you being in the house and I shall feel the loss of your presence even for a short while.”
Patricia’s heart thudded uncomfortably. “What a very sweet thing to say.” She hesitated. “But I shall not be long, as I said. Look on it as an opportunity to get some of that work you are overloaded with out of the way.”
He smiled slowly, releasing her hand. Instantly, Patricia wanted it back.
“I am heartily sick of this work,” he said slowly, rolling his eyes. “I long for the day when we can pack up and head to Thornbury Manor. I simply cannot wait to show you the estate, Patricia. I think you will fall head over heels in love with it.”
Their eyes met and locked. Patricia’s breath caught in her throat.
“Tell me about it again,” she said. “It is by the sea, is it not?”
He nodded, his eyes misty. “You can hear the sea crashing against the shoreline from the house,” he said. “And if you go to the battlements – the highest point of the house - you can see it as well. I like doing that sometimes.” He gazed at her keenly. “Would you be game enough to climb to them with me, so I can show you?”
A sudden pain entered her heart. He was so touchingly eager to show her his ancestral country home. He quite obviously loved the place more than anywhere in the world. But would he feel the same way after she told him about her family’s monetary woes? Or would he shun her as a foul fortune hunter, who was only pretending to like him?
“I would love that,” she replied, trying to quell the unease in her chest. “When do you anticipate that business will be done here, and we can head to Norfolk?”
He took a sip of his tea. “Probably within a few weeks. I want to make sure that everything is done before we go.” He smiled slowly. “I am not intending that we return to London for a good long while, you see. Is it selfish of me to want you all to myself, just for a little while, without the distractions of the city?”
“Not at all,” she said quickly, her heart pounding anew. “I am looking forward to it as eagerly as you are, Jackson. Perhaps even more so.”
He gazed at her questioningly. But before he could reply, Mr. Godwin entered the room, bowing quickly.
