Page 54 of Beguiled

“You’re afraid?”

“It concerns Elizabeth.”

Chalmers paled. “Something I should know?”

David steeled himself. “I met her last night, at the Peers’ Ball. With her husband.”

“How was she?” the older man whispered.

“I’ll come to that, but I need to ask you something first,” David said. “The last time I came here, you told me you were worried about her,” he began. “And you said you were unhappy about her marriage.”

“Yes,” Chalmers said carefully. “What of it?”

“I need you to tell me, bluntly, why you were so concerned. Was it really just that she seemed more subdued to you, or was there more?”

Chalmers swallowed. “It is difficult to talk about these things, and you—you are not a family member.”

“And yet it was me you asked to look out for her,” David pointed out gently.

The older man closed his eyes. “Yes.”

“Come, then. I know this is not something you would do lightly. So let us talk frankly about Elizabeth’s predicament. I think there is more to this than you first said.”

When Chalmers opened his eyes, they gleamed with a film of tears. David had never seen the man like this before. Chalmers was a cheerful man, full of bonhomie. Even when he was confined to a sickbed, he joked and laughed, making light of his troubles. But here, today, he looked torn up and ragged with worry.

“I believe he mistreats her,” Chalmers said at last, and the admission was heavy with certainty. “I’ve seen some bruises—and I worry about what I can’t see.” Chalmers dashed a hand across his wet eyes. “And she is sosilentin his presence. I think he means to cut us off from her. I looked forward so much to this visit, but I have only seen her twice, once when she came here with him, and once when I forced myself out of bed to go to his house.”

David put his hand over the older man’s and squeezed, much as he’d done last night to Elizabeth. “You have seen it then,” he said, and he was relieved that he would not have to tell Chalmers the worst of it.

“He was married before, you know,” Chalmers said. “His first wife died.” He looked up, and the expression on his face was distraught.

“I heard that too,” David said.

“Tell me what you observed last night.”

“I saw that she is afraidof Kinnell,” David said quietly. “He did not want to let her out of his sight, but I managed to speak with her alone for a few minutes while we danced.”Thank you, Murdo.“I could see that a chance to speak with her alone would not come again, so I did not waste time but told her straightaway that you were worried about her and asked if she was happy.”

“And what did she say?”

David swallowed, only too aware of how much distress this would cause his mentor. “There is no easy way to say this. She confirmed your fears. She admitted that she is unhappy, and that she is afraid of him. She said that he watches her—or has her watched by servants. Keeps her away from anyone who might try to help her.”

Chalmers was chalk white by now, and his hand trembled under David’s.

“Does he hurt her?”

David paused. Everything in him wanted to spare Chalmers, but he could not lie. “She did not say much, but I think so, yes. She dreads going back to his estate with him where they will be alone.”

“God in heaven, these were my worst fears,” Chalmers said, his voice cracking. “What can I do, lad?”

“Listen to me,” David said firmly. “Now I will tell you why I am here. And I want you to hear me out, even if your first reaction is to say no.”

Chalmers settled a little in response to David’s calm manner. “Tell me.”

David took a deep breath. “I told Elizabeth I would help her run away from Kinnell, if she wants to.”

Chalmers’s eyes widened. “What? What did she say?”

“She said yes. She is desperate enough to run from him with no more than the clothes on her back.”