Page 26 of A Shadow Amongst the Roses

The rain seemed to fill the space he left behind.

Eliza drew a steady breath and turned toward the house, the warmth of him lingering as she crossed the wet gravel.

Behind her, Thomas returned to his work.

And the rain, untroubled by either of them, continued to fall.

Chapter Twelve

The rain did not stop.

It softened, thinned, then returned with renewed patience, as if the sky decided Hartleigh required a slow washing rather than a storm. Eliza woke to the steady hush of it against the panes and the faint scent of damp wool rising from the corridor rugs.

She dressed without ringing for help, as she often did when she wished to begin the day on her own terms.

Downstairs, the house moved in muted rhythms. Voices lowered. Steps slowed. Even Clara’s efficiency seemed quieter, as though she had learned that in weather like this the house preferred calm to competence.

Eliza took her breakfast in the morning room with Eleanor.

The dowager sat near the fire, her hands wrapped around a teacup that had long gone cold. She had been staring into the flames before Eliza entered. When she looked up, her expression warmed.

“You’re up early,” Eleanor said.

“I woke early.”

Eleanor’s gaze studied her face with that uncanny softness that missed nothing and announced even less. Then she nodded, as though satisfied by what she found.

“They sent word from the north boundary,” Eleanor said after a moment.

Eliza’s attention sharpened. “About the paling?”

“No,” Eleanor replied. “About the road.”

“The road?”

“The low bridge flooded in the night. They’ve closed the lane until the water recedes.”

Eliza set her spoon down carefully. “That will affect supplies.”

“Yes.”

“And travel,” Eliza added.

Eleanor did not answer immediately. She took a slow sip of tea, as though the act allowed her to choose her words.

“It will delay anyone leaving,” she said at last.

It was not said as a warning. Merely truth.

Eliza felt the words settle through her.

Thornhaven.

She had intended to ride out within the week, if only briefly. A visit to reassure her tenants. A review of repairs. A visible presence. Responsibilities that did not pause simply because Hartleigh had decided it was convenient for her to stay.

She looked at Eleanor. “How long?”

“Half a day’s ride in good weather,” Eleanor said. “But with the flooding… it will take longer for anyone to reach or leave Thornhaven.”