Among the Darkness Stirs

“To help her,” Henry said.

The woman abruptly changed the subject. “I spoke to Guy. He saw you in London.”

“Yes.”

“Della is back in Norwich. I thought you’d like to know,” she said.

“Does that concern me?” he said coldly.

“Everyone makes mistakes.”

He said nothing to that.

“You had plans. Didn’t you?”

Again, he said nothing.

“Ah, here you are, Nanette,” came Theodocia’s voice. “Let me have the servant get your coat.”

Once the coat was fetched, Nanette was escorted to the front door and bid them a good night.

After Nanette left, Audrey came from the drawing room, flustered. How dare that woman make such insinuations about she and Henry! It was absurd. He had been kind to her, nothing more. He had helped her with a job. Yet here she was suggesting that they were what, lovers? She flushed at the word.

Henry spotted her and came over to her. “Ms. Wakefield.”

She acknowledged him coolly, in no mood to talk. “Mr. Ryland.”

“You did a superb job explaining the workhouse and what you do. It was well done.”

“Thank you.”

Henry frowned. “Is something wrong?”

“A slight headache.” It wasn’t a lie. She did have a headache.

“Let me see you home,” he offered, motioning to the door.

“There’s no need. I can manage.” She didn’t want to be around him just then, but he didn’t relent.

“Please. Allow me.”

Audrey tried to think of a way to escape his presence, but suddenly Theodocia was upon them, thanking her for her time.

“Henry, please see Ms. Wakefield home,” she asked him before Audrey could stop her.

“Of course, I will.”

They entered the foyer, and a maid returned with her coat. Henry placed it about her shoulders, and when their fingers touched, she moved back from him as if burned. He frowned slightly but said nothing.

“Thank you again, Ms. Wakefield. It was a delight to hear you speak of your experiences,” Theodocia told her.

“Thank you, Mrs. Ryland, for inviting me. Good evening.” Audrey couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

Inside the carriage, she sat across from Henry and said nothing to him. She kept replaying the woman’s words inside her head. Perhaps there’s something between you and the schoolmistress. The words made her throat dry. She was being gossiped about like some common nobody.

“I did want to thank you for coming this evening. You’ve impressed Mother. Not an easy feat,” Henry said.

Audrey glanced at him in the dark carriage and then looked away. “I’m glad it was a success, for her sake.”