"Indeed," Lord Hale replied as he studied her. "So you have led me to believe."
Lady Hale stood. "I assume you've not eaten, Mrs. Denton. I know how lax Elliot is when it comes to entertaining guests. Let me show you to your room while Mrs. Anderson prepares dinner."
Grace felt a little overwhelmed by their generous hospitality. She turned to Lord Markham, her heart lurching as she didn't know when she would see him again. "Will you be here when I return?"
Before he could answer, Lady Hale blurted, "Of course he'll be here. Won't you Elliot? He has nothing to rush home for. Besides, Alexander wants him to stay."
Lord Hale looked up at his wife. "I do?" When she widened her eyes and nodded vigorously, he added. "Yes, I do. I'll get us a drink, Elliot. I think we both need one."
Lady Hale walked over and kissed her husband on the cheek. With a warm smile, he took her hand, caressed her palm with his thumb. "We won't be long. Elliot will keep you company."
As a couple, they were openly affectionate. Even if they had never spoken a word, their love lit up the room. It was a stark contrast to the way she had felt with Henry and she struggled to suppress the melancholic mood taking hold.
Grace followed the lady up the stairs and to a door on the right. "I thought you might like this room. I've always found that yellow lifts the spirits."
From the pale lemon hangings to the deep gold walls, the room radiated a cheerful warmth that Grace found welcoming. "It's a beautiful room. I am so grateful to you for letting me stay."
Lady Hale sat down on the bed and patted the coverlet next to her. "Please, sit and tell me all about your sister."
Grace repeated everything she had told Lord Markham. After numerous attempts trying to call her Lady Hale, Grace finally conceded and agreed to call her Evelyn. Instinct told her she could trust Evelyn, and there was no point trying to present Caroline in a more favourable light.
"I understand your concern, Grace. I'm sure your sister would not have intentionally left you alone in the city. Elliot is an honourable man and will help you in any way he can."
"No doubt, he feels obliged to help. I never really gave him much choice in the matter."
"Elliot is not a man who bows to obligation. Whatever he has done, he has done because he wants to." Evelyn placed her hand on Grace's arm. "His illness has hardened his heart. But underneath he is a good man."
"I must confess when I pulled back the drapes … when I first saw his face …" Grace swallowed as she recalled the shocking vision. "Had it not been for the fact he desperately needed me, I think I would have run away."
Evelyn sighed. "But thankfully you didn't. Elliot has been kind enough to help you and in return, you will help him."
"Help him?" She had no idea how to treat such an affliction. "I don't understand. I am not a doctor and know nothing of medicine."
Evelyn smiled. "I am not referring to his illness. Elliot believes he is incapable of caring for others, which is not the case at all. He needs a friend who can accept him for what he is, who will not judge him based on his strange affliction."
Grace recalled the lord's amorous words. "I think his idea of friendship is vastly different to mine."
Evelyn offered her a knowing smile.
"It's just that he knows of no other way to express himself. He is used to hiding in the dark. To him, it represents the absence of light, the loss of all that is good in him. Be his friend, Grace. He will fight it but show him it is what's in the heart that matters."
Grace did feel a burning need to offer the lord some comfort. But it would be on her terms. "Finding Caroline must be my priority. If Lord Markham continues to assist me, then I will consider all you have said."
"Excellent," Evelyn beamed. "Let us return to the gentlemen. We will break with convention and tell Mrs. Anderson we'll eat in the parlour."
As they walked back into the parlour, Grace's attention was drawn to the empty sofa.
Evelyn looked about the room as Lord Hale stood. "Are you alone?" she asked with a hint of surprise.
Lord Hale cleared his throat. "Elliot offered his apologies. He has a prior engagement and has taken his leave. He asked me to tell you, Mrs. Denton, that he will make some enquiries whilst out in the hope of finding your sister."
"What could be more important than his engagement here?" Evelyn sounded most put out.
"Erm … Lady Fortescue's ball. I believe he agreed to accompany Leo."
Grace suppressed her disappointment. She was familiar with the distraction techniques of men. Avoidance was by far the simplest way of dealing with any emotion.
Grace turned to Evelyn. "Would you mind if I went upstairs for a while?"