Page 47 of Honor Unbound

I rolled my eyes. The single-mindedness of youth. The suspicion that Hicks might have harmed Marie had poisoned Burton against the man. The idea that Hicks might hold his wife’s heart by reading to her each night, or surprising her with flowers, wouldn’t occur to him. Or that they might sleep in separate bedrooms because one of them snored.

To the young, such everyday annoyances wouldn’t even occur to them. Well, when Burton married, he would learn. Love wasn’t always shown by providing the finer things in life. It was rubbing a poultice on your loved one’s chest as they coughed upthe most disgusting substances. It was sitting quietly by the fire with someone you could trust.

Trent obviously hadn’t learned that lesson. Then, neither had his wife. They’d both broken their vow to honor and be faithful to their spouse, even when times were difficult.

I rubbed my collarbone. And I was in no position to judge. My marriage had suffered through its trials, but at least Cavindish had always known we were there for one another. Trent’s marriage, and life, struck me as rather sad.

A loveless marriage, ill-thought affairs, financial losses. Which of Trent’s troubles had gotten him killed?

Chapter Eighteen

Lady Mary

The morning hadbeen busy but unproductive. I’d written several acquaintances asking for information on Trent and his business, correspondence I wouldn’t have answers to for a couple days at least. I’d stopped by The Minerva Club, only to find my kitchens still in disarray and another bill pending. Then I’d returned to Peg Rogerson’s place of business, The Red Chemise, only to be told she wasn’t there and they had no idea when she’d return.

My irritation spilled over onto poor Marie. “Stop drumming your fingers so.”

Marie pulled her hand away from the window ledge on the carriage. “Sorry, ma’am.”

I blew out a breath. “No, I am. After such a scare, you have every reason to be nervous. I should have left you home to rest further.”

“I have rested enough to recover the strength of fifty men.” Marie stretched out her legs. “And I’m not bothered. The ordeal has left no lasting hurts, despite what some might think.”

“Ah.” The sound of the carriage wheels grinding on stone and the squeak of a turning axle filled the space. I should speak to Ernest about the maintenance of the coach. It was noisier than usual. I could only hope the entire undercarriage wouldn’t need to be replaced.

Marie looked at me suspiciously. “What do you mean, ‘ah’?”

I lifted my shoulder. “Only that I now understand the source of your nerves. It’s Mr. Burton.” Again. Always. Young people became consumed at the first hint of romance. “He has caught your attention.”

“He has done no such thing!” she hissed, darting a glance at the ceiling. Mr. Burton had insisted on accompanying them today, but had decided to sit atop with Ernest. He thought it gave him a better viewpoint to see if anyone followed.

I looked at her over my spectacles.

She flopped back on the seat. “All right. Yes. I don’t know what to do with him.”

I bit back a smile. She’d figure that out soon enough.

“He can be so infuriating,” she continued, “and then be as appealing as cook’s syllabub.”

My stomach gurgled. I’d skipped luncheon and talk of dessert made me realize my hunger.

“I’ve been in service since I was a child.” Marie pulled out her deck of cards and began shuffling them. “I’ve been trained to clean, mend, and to submit to my betters.”

I puffed out my cheeks. The training on that last one hadn’t quite taken.

“But for something like this, like him, I am wholly unprepared. What shall I do about him?” Marie asked, a wrinkle creasing the skin between her eyebrows.

“Does something need to be done?” It had been so long since I’d experienced the first stirrings of love, I felt ill-equipped to offer advice. “Let things happen at their own pace. Enjoy being young.” My stomach hardened. How nice it would be to feel the nerves of inexperience again. To worry about one’s future instead of chewing over the past. Marie was young and lovely and didn’t even appreciate what a gift that was.

“But….”

The carriage pulled to a stop. Marie closed her mouth tight while Mr. Burton climbed down from the driver’s seat and opened the door.

“I don’t suppose I can come in with you?” he asked.

I looked at the front door of Mrs. Shaw’s townhouse. “No, I think that would raise questions we don’t want to answer. Besides, no harm will come to us here. It’s the middle of the day and I can’t imagine Mrs. Trent attacking us in her sister’s home with children running about.”

Burton handed me down, then turned to Marie. “Well, I won’t be far. You only need holler.”