Page 9 of Rake in Disguise (Wicked Widows’ League #33)

Chapter Seven

Blythe woke to the bright sun shining into her chamber and realized that she had slept through the night, which had rarely occurred once she arrived on the Continent with her husband. She had not even dreamed but had been at peace.

Weight that she had carried no longer existed and she was relaxed, calm and in no hurry to quickly prepare a meal or straighten a tent or proceed cautiously because she was never certain what mood she might encounter.

She could lay here all day and do nothing because there was nobody to object.

Except, her stomach tightened and grumbled reminding her that sustenance was needed so she reluctantly pulled herself from the comfortable bed and prepared for the day before she joined the others in the dining room to break her fast.

Not everyone was present, but there were enough guests that pleasant conversation surrounded her without Blythe having to participate.

When the meal concluded, she politely excused herself and walked outside to stroll in the garden.

She was free and from this day forward, whatever she decided would be of her own choosing.

While the knowledge was liberating, what did she do now?

Blythe settled on a bench and watched butterflies and bees fly from one flower to the next as birds took flight from trees or swooped to gather seeds from the ground.

When was the last time she sat and enjoyed something so simple and beautiful?

Except, this was not how she should spend the rest of her days. Eventually she would need to leave.

Blythe abruptly stood. She did not want to think of that now. Instead, she returned inside to where some of the guests had gathered in the parlor. Women were stitching and the men were reading newssheets.

Blythe wandered to a row of bookshelves and read the titles. Most were in Dutch, some in French and a few in English. She withdrew an English novel, a title she had not heard of, and retired to her chamber where she intended to read all day.

Except, once settled, she had difficulty concentrating. As much as she may wish to pretend all was well, the reality was that she still relied on Orlando because he had taken the room in his name for this wife . If she were truly going to be free, she could not be indebted to anyone.

Setting the book aside, Blythe retrieved the jewels that she had hidden after she arrived at the inn yesterday.

She had some funds, but they were few and until she had more, she would not spend any.

Blythe then studied each piece of jewelry and decided on her emotional attachment and importance of each. They were not the most expensive pieces she owned. Those were in England. Her father had insisted that they remain with him until she returned. Likely because of his poor opinion of John.

The gold chain with the sapphire would never be sold. It had been a gift from her grandmother who had passed only a few months back.

There were a pair of pearl earbobs, a coral choker, hair combs with emeralds and another with diamonds, three bracelets of gold, and four brooches, one with a stunning amethyst. These were the pieces that she had selected when she packed to follow the drum.

Each was simple, but Blythe was never given the opportunity to wear even a single item until she hid them in her clothing yesterday.

Nor were any of them of sentimental value, other than the sapphire of course, so it would not be a hardship to sell them, which is what she intended to do.

But how, and to whom?

Did she dare ask Orlando?

That really was her only choice since she was too afraid to risk going further into Brussels, and she would need the money to get home.

Home!

She wasn’t ready and she might never be.

Blythe put the jewelry away for safe keeping and picked up the book again. She may not know what she would do tomorrow, but she did have a means for funds and that was really all she needed right now.

* * *

Orlando washed in his tent when his work was complete then made his way to the inn. There would be days that he would not be able to visit Blythe but given he had just settled her, the owners may wonder if he completely disappeared immediately.

He was also anxious to see how Blythe was getting on.

When he knocked on her chamber door, it was opened only a crack as if she feared who was on the other side, then opened it further when she realized that it was him.

“I did not expect to see you.”

“Ever?” he asked.

Her cheeks blossomed to a lovely rose. “Well, eventually, I suppose.”

“If you would rather that I left, I could make an excuse.”

“No,” she rushed to answer. “I…it is…I am glad you are here.”

He really hoped that she wasn’t just telling him that to make him feel better.

“What did you do today?” he asked.

“Read.” She smiled. “And planned.”

His stomach tightened. It was foolish and irrational but he did not want her to leave. “What have you decided?”

“Not so much what I am going to do next but it was more preparing for the future.” Blythe crossed to the armoire and drew out a small box and removed jewelry. “I would like for you to sell these for me,” she announced.

“You may need them or want them later.”

“I need the money more,” she insisted.

“I will take care of you Blythe,” he promised.

“I am not your responsibility and I will reimburse you for the inn and any other funds you spend on me. I must be responsible for myself as much as a woman is allowed. I do not want to be taken care of any longer.”

He did understand more than she knew. If his own mother would have had resources to support herself, she might not have…he did not want to think about when he was a boy and pushed the memories aside.

“I will take them to a jeweller and sell them for you tomorrow or the next day.”

“Thank you. I need you to sell everything but the sapphire. That needs to remain with me.”

“The guests were gathering for dinner when I arrived. Are you ready to go down?”

She shook out her gown and smiled. “Yes. I am rather hungry after a day of doing little besides reading.”

“You do appear more relaxed.”

“I am, but I am also just as certain that I could grow bored with nothing but leisure.”

“You likely have not rested since you arrived, therefore you deserve to do nothing but read,” he assured her, then opened the door to escort her down to the parlor.

Blythe was more relaxed today than she had been yesterday. Of course, that had been a difficult day, but he was glad to see her recovered from the ordeal.

The other guests greeted them politely, but as before, while conversation continued around the dinner table, Blythe said little.

She listened, nodded, laughed and responded in whatever manner was appropriate, but she did not contribute.

Was she more a listener than a talker? Or was that dependent on the company she shared.

Quiet at dinner last night but she was quite open about her marriage to the lieutenant when they were alone.

Maybe she was not quick to befriend. Or maybe she was just selective of who she confided in but he had earned her trust.

After dinner was concluded, he did not remain with the men for brandy but escorted Blythe back to the chamber. He had no interest in debating or speculating on Napoleon when he could be alone with Blythe and come to know her better.

After he shut the door of the chamber she turned to him. “Will it be the same tonight? Will you remain until everyone is asleep?”

“If you do not mind.” It never occurred to him to ask.

“No, of course not, but what shall we do?”

It was a shame that she was married because he could think of more pleasant ways to spend the evening than talking, but she was, so Orlando pushed his desire for this beautiful woman way.

“Continue to come to know each other. The more we know the less likely we will make a mistake when speaking with the other guests.”

“Very well then, what would you like to know?”

“Tell me about your family. It would be expected that I would have met them.”

“Only if you tell me about yours first, she countered.”

“Ah, but I asked first,” he returned. “And you did ask me what I would like to know,” he reminded her.

Besides, he was not ready to discuss his siblings because he knew that he would tell her lies and he wasn’t ready to do so even though he had little choice.