Behind the Mask (47 page)

Georg felt better after finding Elsa. While Abbi took a long nap, he walked with Elsa and they shared apologies. Their love for each other put everything else into perspective.

Returning to the stable, Georg found a message waiting. Opening the little paper, he hoped Abbi was not in for some serious disillusionment. But remorse tugged at him deeply as he read:
Funny you should ask. It is my most prevalent thought. She is the hope that keeps me living. She is my heart and soul. Her place in my life is neither coincidence nor to be taken lightly. Without her, everything we are working for is meaningless. She is as good as my wife, and deserves to be treated as such
. Georg had to blink back the mist in his eyes before he could read the last sentence.
Tell her I love her
.

“What have I done?” Georg murmured, squeezing his eyes closed. Instantly the entire spectrum changed. Everything he needed to do on Cameron’s behalf took on a whole new perspective. It was more complicated, yes. But it would only be that much more fulfilling.

Abbi woke from a long nap, grateful to find some bread and fruit that Elsa had left, which quickly eased her nausea. How grateful she was to have a maid who was well aware of her needs. She was still eating when a knock came at her door. She opened it to see Georg looking intent, perhaps sheepish, but he said nothing.

“Yes?” she finally asked, and he glanced down.

“May I come in?” he asked, and she motioned him inside.

They stood face-to-face for a long moment while she attempted to understand his entranced gaze. Before she could ask, he went to his knees in front of her.

“What are you doing?” she demanded.

“I owe you the deepest apology, Abbi.”

“Fine. But get up off the floor.”

Georg stood up slowly, but still he said nothing.

“You were apologizing,” she said.

He took a deep breath. “You were right. I was wrong. And I’m truly sorry for the way I behaved. I will keep you posted on our progress as much as it’s possible.”

“Thank you, Georg, but . . . why this sudden change?”

Georg took both her hands into his and pressed a kiss to her brow. When he stepped back and left the room, Abbi found a little piece of paper in her hand. She sat on the bed and cried as she read the words over and over. She touched Cameron’s handwriting, marveling that he had written this message just today. When Elsa came into the room, Abbi discreetly tucked the paper into a book and wiped away her tears.

“You all right, Miss?” Elsa asked.

“Just a little emotional,” she said.

“That’s understandable. I believe women cry more anyway when they’re pregnant. I certainly do. But you must have a lot on your mind.”

“Yes, but . . . I’m certain everything will be fine. Oh, and thank you for the food. It saved me when I woke up. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“Glad to be here,” Elsa said with a smile. “But I have bad news.”

“What?” Abbi asked.

“The captain is here to see you. Should I tell him you’re not feeling well, or—”

“No,” she hurried to the mirror, “I don’t want the entire household getting suspicious. Just help me smooth my hair and then you can tell him I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

Abbi entered the drawing room to find Lance actually without his uniform. It took a moment for her to adjust to the difference, especially when the clothes he wore were so similar to the style she’d seen Cameron wear. He chuckled self-consciously at her overt interest in his apparel. “I look different, I know.”

“Yes, you do. But . . . you look very nice.”

“I actually have a day off,” he said. “I came this way earlier to see if you’d like to go riding, but . . . well, I saw you go into the forest just before I got to the bridge. I tried to catch up but I lost you.”

Abbi sat down, fighting to keep her expression steady. She hoped he was telling the truth, that he’d lost her. She shuddered to think of the Captain of the Guard, of all people, following her to that meadow. He very well could have read something into the way she’d been gazing upward nostalgically. She felt grateful that she’d resisted the urge to actually see Cameron, and knew that she must avoid going anywhere near him.

“Do you go that way often?” Lance asked, startling Abbi from her thoughts as he sat beside her.

“No, actually,” she said with a soft laugh, hoping to appear relaxed and at ease. “I’ve never been that way before. I didn’t get far before I realized it was senseless. There’s not so much as a trail anywhere in the area.”

The silence became uncomfortable. “I like your hair that way,” Lance said warmly.

“Thank you,” Abbi replied. “I think I could get used to it. Your stepmother is certainly pleased.”

Lance laughed softly. “You mustn’t take her too seriously. She’s a little crusty around the edges, but she’s got a soft heart.”

“I know,” Abbi said.

“Are you feeling any better?” he asked. “You
do
look a little pale.”

“Oh, I’m fine,” she said. “I’ve had a slight . . . stomach disorder. Perhaps it’s just this drastic change in my habits and diet since I returned home.”

“Perhaps,” he said, not seeming convinced.

“I’m certain it’s nothing to worry about,” she insisted.

“I don’t suppose you’d be up to riding.”

It actually sounded nice, Abbi thought. At least riding with Lance wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable as sitting here in awkward conversation. But she had to admit, “I’ve already been out today. Perhaps another—”

“How about a walk, then? It’s a beautiful day.” He stood and held out his hand.

Abbi looked up at him and couldn’t deny that his offer was inviting. He was kind and concerned, and right now he was a pleasant distraction from her loneliness. They walked about the grounds and through the gardens, sitting on the little bench in the yard for quite some time. She was feeling completely comfortable until Lance said, “Have you seen your father since you’ve returned?”

“Good heavens!” Abbi gasped and put a hand over her mouth. A knot formed in her stomach that encouraged her nausea. “I’m ashamed to say that I forgot all about it. Oh, how could I be so thoughtless?”

“Abbi, you’ve been gone. There was little to be done about it when—”

“Yes, but I should have seen him last week. Oh, Lance. Do you know if he’s all right? Is he—”

“He’s fine, Abbi,” he reassured her. “I took the liberty of telling him the situation of your absence.”

Abbi paused to absorb this. “Do you talk to him often?”

“No.” He glanced down, uncomfortable. “Quite rarely, in truth. But I did let him know you had returned safely, and you would see him as soon as possible.”

“He’s all right, then?”

“Yes, yes of course. I hope I wasn’t out of line to—”

“No, I’m grateful you told him. I just wish that I . . .”

“What?” he asked when she faltered.

“Nothing.” She couldn’t resist asking, “Lance, do you know anything about the situation my father is in?”

“No,” he said, “I don’t.”

“You don’t have to lie to me,” she said. “If you can’t talk about it, I understand.”

“I’m not lying to you, Abbi. I’ve been ordered to see that he’s guarded constantly. I know nothing more.”

Abbi felt decidedly unsettled as she recalled her father once saying that her visits were the only thing keeping him alive. If that were the case, why had her absence not created a problem? While she had to tread carefully with the Captain of the Guard, she did feel compelled to say, “I feel bad to think of how long it’s been since I’ve seen him. He’s told me my visits are important. I wonder if he has anyone else who notices if he’s even alive, or—”

“Of course he does, Abbi. You mustn’t be so concerned. He has three other monthly visits, besides yours.” Her eyes widened as she digested the deeper implication. It didn’t take much thought to realize that her father had been careful to give himself more than one avenue of protection. But protection from what? Was he blackmailing someone? Was someone blackmailing him? She reminded herself that such questions had no answers, and it was pointless to waste energy on them. Knowing she wasn’t her father’s only visitor left her more relaxed, but she did ask Lance, “Do you know who?”

“Friends. That’s all I know,” he said, and again her thoughts wandered until Lance touched her chin. “You mustn’t be so sad, Abbi.”

“I’m just . . . concerned for him. It’s gone on for so long.”

“At least he’s not in prison,” Lance said. “Whatever his crime was, he’s been granted a comfortable lifestyle. I can assure you that his every need is being met.”

Abbi nodded, finding some comfort in that. But then, Cameron’s every need was being met too—technically. Needing to change the subject, she said, “I’m feeling awfully hungry. Is it dinnertime yet, do you think?”

Lance pulled a watch out of his waistcoat pocket. “Not for an hour yet.”

“I’ve a mind to sneak in the kitchen and get something. Would you like to join me?”

“I shall be your protector,” he said and she laughed.

While Lance watched Abbi eat the bread and butter she had confiscated from the kitchen, he commented, “Is there some significance to the bracelet you wear? I’ve not seen you without it since you returned.”

“It’s just something . . . sentimental.”

“But you’re not going to tell me,” he said with a wink.

Abbi shook her head, appreciating his kindness. She wondered if his interest in her was as it appeared to be. Was his attention an attempt to court her? Did he expect to marry her? If he only knew! Abbi found it disconcerting to realize that she was misleading him. But then, Cameron had asked her to distract him. And Lance’s company was not altogether unpleasant. She made up her mind to enjoy it for what it was and not worry too much about how everything would come together. Cameron would be arriving soon, and all would be well.

Dinner with Lance turned out to be relatively enjoyable until Ramona commented, “You look a little pale, Abbi. Are you well? I’d swear you look a little pale.”

“You’ve seemed under the weather for quite some time, my dear,” Salina joined in. “Are you certain there’s nothing wrong?”

“Quite,” Abbi said simply.

“I wonder,” Ramona added, “if you didn’t contract some dreadful disease up on that mountain. I wonder.”

“Disease indeed,” Abbi said, trying not to smile.

“There’s nothing wrong with her appetite,” Lance commented lightly, and Abbi tossed him a quick smile before she zealously continued eating her meal.

“Still,” Ramona added, “I think you should see a doctor. Yes, I do believe you should see a doctor.”

“Whatever for?” Abbi retorted.

“When someone who knows what he’s talking about says you’re healthy, then we’ll accept it. Lance agrees. You should see a doctor.”

Abbi turned to Lance, feeling betrayed when he’d been so kind. But he gave her a look that indicated his firm endorsement of Ramona’s request.

“What has Lance got to do with this?” Abbi cried.

“He’s concerned for you, my dear,” Salina interjected. “Just as we are. This time I must say I agree with my sister.”

Abbi didn’t know what to do. There was no doubt that any doctor in his right mind could easily tell what her
problem
was. But she needed to keep it a secret. Still, better that a doctor know than to have the entire household harping about her change in habits.

“Fine. I’ll see a doctor,” she conceded, mostly just wanting to be free of their nagging. Perhaps she could find a way to get out of it later. Her aunts smiled at each other with satisfaction, and Lance smiled at Abbi.

The following morning, Abbi rose feeling worse than she ever had in her life. She ate some dry bread that Elsa had left close by, which eased the nausea some, but her stomach continued to churn, and she was terribly lightheaded. Still, she was determined to appear healthy for the sake of pretenses. As soon as she had dressed and Elsa put up her hair, she went downstairs for breakfast.

Abbi dined alone since she’d risen late, and her aunts had already gone to the garden to cut flowers. It was disappointing to find no one around to see her efforts when they had been so difficult to come by. Eating slowly, Abbi began to feel the discomfort in her stomach ease, but the lack of balance in her head increased.