Page 63 of The Lovers (Echoes from the Past #1)
FORTY-SEVEN
Suffolk, England
Elise woke up with a start, clutching the counterpane to her bosom.
A loud crash came from downstairs, as if a heavy wooden chair had been overturned.
She sprang from bed, desperate to lock the door, but before she could reach it, it flew open, revealing her irate husband.
Edward was panting with fury as he took in her disheveled state and frightened face.
“How dare you defy me?” he roared. “I ordered you to stay in London. We do not flee while our monarch sees fit to remain in the city.” Edward looked exhausted, with shadows of fatigue staining the delicate skin beneath his eyes and a sickly pallor in place of his normally ruddy complexion.
He hadn’t shaved in days and wore his natural hair instead of the wig he favored, the hair carelessly tied back and nearly free of its leather thong.
Elise opened her mouth to reply, but no sound came out.
She was terrified. She’d never seen Edward so angry.
He was usually cold and indifferent, not spitting mad as he was now.
The journey from London did nothing to cool his anger, giving him time to stew instead.
He’d clearly traveled through the night and had had ample time to nurse his fury.
“I convinced her ladyship to come away.” James appeared in the doorway. He’d obviously just got out of bed, and Elise said a silent prayer of thanks that it hadn’t been her bed. Edward would have disemboweled them both.
“And what gave you the right to take my wife to the country without my permission, sir?” Edward roared, redirecting his fury to James.
“Common sense, your lordship,” James answered, not bothering to hide his contempt.
“People are dying by the thousands. Your wife is carrying the heir you so desperately wanted. Why would you put her life at risk? What does the king care where Lady Asher is? It’s not as if he’s even aware of her existence. ”
Edward flew at James and punched him in the face, his heavy ring striking James just below the eye and leaving a nasty cut.
James winced with pain but didn’t say anything to his father or retaliate.
He stood his ground, feet apart, arms at his sides, hands balled into fists.
He would not allow another blow to go unanswered, that was obvious, but he hoped that Edward would come to his senses and not strike him again.
A thin trickle of blood ran down James’s face, its slow progress resembling a bloody tear.
James didn’t bother to wipe it away, retaining his defiant position in case Edward should assault him again.
“Get out, you bastard,” Edward growled. “You are no longer welcome in this house. And if I see you anywhere near my wife, I’ll kill you with my bare hands.”
James gave a curt nod and left but not before giving Elise a reassuring look. For all his bluster, Edward would be a fool to send Elise back to London. He was furious, but he was also sufficiently chastised. He knew that James was right, although he’d never actually admit it.
“I’m sorry, Edward,” Elise said in a conciliatory manner. “James meant well. Surely you know that. ”
“If I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it,” Edward spat out. “Get dressed,” he commanded.
Edward strode from the room, slamming the door behind him.
Elise wondered if he planned to stay, but asking him when he was in such a state could be hazardous to her health.
So, she dressed and sat patiently while Peg styled her hair.
She had to do everything in her power to pacify Edward and get him not to banish James for good.
She came downstairs to find Edward eating alone in the dining room.
He normally ate very little for breakfast, but the table was laden with everything Cook could find on such short notice.
Edward was devouring the food as if he hadn’t eaten in days.
He was pale and drawn, and cold sweat glistened on his forehead.
“Are you quite well?” Elise asked carefully. “Shall I summon the physician?”
“I’m tired and hungry. I traveled all night.”
“Then I’m sure you’d like to rest after you’ve eaten. Shall I call for a bath?”
Edward made a dismissive gesture. “I’ll sleep awhile, then have a bath after. Now, leave me in peace.”
Elise was only too happy to be dismissed. She made her way outside and hurried to the stables in the hope of intercepting James before he left. James was saddling his horse, and Elise breathed a sigh of relief, noting his slow movements. He’d been waiting for her.
“Are you all right?” James asked when he saw her silhouetted in the doorway.
“Yes. He’s angry as a bear, but he probably just needs time to cool off. Where will you go? ”
“I’ll stay at the gamekeeper’s cottage for a few days. I can’t imagine that my father will remain in Suffolk long enough to notice. I’m not leaving you, love.” James reached out and cupped Elise’s cheek. “I will be wherever you are, for all time.”
“James, are you sure it’s safe for you to remain here? I’ve never seen him so angry,” Elise said as she walked into James’s embrace. “I fear for you.”
“What’s the worst he can do, eh?” James shrugged, dismissing Edward from his thoughts. “Try to go for a walk by the beach each morning after breakfast. I will be looking out for you.”
“All right. But stay out of sight until he leaves.”
James lifted Elise’s chin with his finger and planted a tender kiss on her lips. “Don’t worry about me. I have a horse, my weapons, and a purse full of coin. I’m better off than most.”
Elise waited until James galloped away before returning to the house. Edward’s snores could be heard throughout the house, so Elise went to the kitchen instead. A strange man sat at the kitchen table, a mug of ale and a bowl of pottage in front of him.
“Good morrow, me lady,” the man said, springing to his feet when Elise entered. He bowed to her and remained standing, waiting for permission to sit back down.
“Pray, continue with your meal, and then come see me in the parlor. I have a few questions to put to you,” Elise said.
“As ye wish, me lady.”
Elise didn’t have long to wait. The man came shyly into the parlor, hat in hand. He was a simple peasant and not accustomed to being invited into the house proper.
“What is your name?” Elise asked. She considered offering him a seat, then changed her mind. This wouldn’t take long.
“Aubrey Wilkins, yer ladyship. ”
“Did you bring my husband from London?”
“Aye, ma’am. I work for a livery, ye see. Yer husband wished to hire the finest coach available,” the man went on, babbling with nervousness.
“And how are things in London?” Elise asked.
She’d had no news of any kind since leaving with James, and the sights and sounds of plague-ridden London preyed on her mind day and night.
James hadn’t mentioned anything about his sister or her family, but Elise knew that he was terrified.
Molly had nowhere to go, and her husband would not leave his business.
It was their livelihood, so abandoning his outstanding orders was out of the question.
“Things are right bad, me lady. Thousands dead of the plague. The stench of rotting bodies fills the air,” the man said and instantly regretted his choice of words. “Begging yer pardon, me lady. I didn’t mean to be indelicate.”
“That’s quite all right, Master Wilkins. I prefer to know the truth. Are you returning to London today?”
“In truth, I wish I didn’t have to, but the proprietor of the livery will be expecting ’is carriage back, so I must be on me way.”
“Godspeed,” Elise said. “Ask Mistress Benford for a parcel of food for your journey.”
“Thank ye kindly, me lady.”
Elise stared out the window. The stately coach that brought Edward from London rolled down the gravel drive, Master Wilkins on the bench.
Elise wished that the coach was taking Edward away again, but he was still asleep, a small blessing in view of his current mood.
A steady rain began to fall. The room grew dark, but Elise didn’t bother to light the candles.
The house felt cold and empty without James in it, and she wished that she could sneak out and join him in the cozy comfort of the cottage.
Perhaps once Edward left, she would be able to see him again, but for now she had to play the dutiful wife and hope that Edward’s ire had burned out, and he wouldn’t seek a way to punish her for her disobedience.
Elise put a hand to her belly. Four more months till the babe was born. She had no illusions. The birth of the baby would not set her free, but maybe Edward would be happier once he had a son.