Laura's Second Chance (Widows of Virginia Book #2)(7)

Was it really? She asked herself seeing the obvious clearly as the light of day. She had just been blinded by her sadness. Of course, with what Susan had suggested the thought had crossed her mind. But even then she thought of a gradual reunion of old friends that maybe, just maybe turned into something more over time… It should have been obvious from his letters, from his visit, that it wasn’t quite what he had in mind.

Robert stared at her for a few minutes before standing up. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so forward.”

They finished their tea in awkward silence, which after a while turned into meaningless small talk. When Arthur came to pick up the dishes a while later Laura was eager to return to the garden for a breath of fresh air.

Robert stood up to get her chair.

“Thank you,” Laura whispered as he guided her out of his office.

“Please, enjoy your stay, Laura.” He held her hand once more, gently squeezing it. “I’m sorry again. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

She nodded and smiled at him. She didn’t want things to be awkward between them either. He smiled back, but the shine in his eyes had vanished.

*

Laura followed Arthur around the estate. After she left Robert’s office she had asked the boy to give her a tour. They walked to the farm just outside the house grounds, one of many belonging to Robert’s family, at least from what she could remember.

Rows of corn swayed around her ready to be harvested. She passed by a few farmhands busy tending to the livestock and the crops. They looked up, but didn’t smile, and after a hesitant nod or bow, usually they quickly returned to their work.

“Oh, don’t mind them, Mrs. Bennet,” Arthur said as they walked by a couple of workers who openly stared. “They’re just surprised to see you here.”

“Robert didn’t tell them I’ll be staying for –” Till when was she really planning to stay? She didn’t even know the answer herself, so she settled with “For a while?”

Arthur shrugged. “Mr. Smith doesn’t really spend a lot of time at the farm. Most of the workers have only seen him a few times.”

“Why is that?”

A couple of grazing goats bleated as Laura passed them by. At least they acknowledged my presence.

“Mr. Smith prefers to stay at the house,” Arthur said, but something in his voice gave her pause. As if it were more than a mere preference.

Not wanting to pry she changed the topic and asked him about the animals. The conversation led to a merry afternoon petting the goats, milking the cows – something Laura politely declined to participate in – as well as a tour of the stables.

As the sun leaned towards the horizon Arthur led her back home. Back to the small guest cottage adjacent to the main house.

“I have to check on Ma now, Mrs. Bennet, but if you need anything else I’m at your service.”

“Thank you, Arthur, I think I’m fine for now.” She smiled as the lad ran towards the side entrance leading to the kitchen.

Hoping to see Robert again Laura went back inside the main house. She wanted to talk to him about the conversation they had earlier. The expression she saw on his face when she left the office kept nagging her. But when she got to the large office door she found it empty and Robert didn’t seem to be around.

She waited around in the drawing room admiring his collection of books and the large globe marked with many small pins. She spun it around gently reading out the destinations. Robert and his father had truly travelled a lot.

“Dinner is ready, Mrs. Bennet.” Arthur’s presence made her step back from the globe. “It’s alright, Mr. Smith doesn’t mind people touching it. He even used to tell stories of his travels to me when I was younger.”

“Is that so?” She smiled and followed him to the dining room.

“Yes, what a life the Master had.”

He pulled the chair for her at the large oak table. She couldn’t help but notice that it was only set for one. Did she upset him? Would he ask her to leave?

“Is Mr. Smith not joining me for dinner?”

“Sorry, Ma’am, I forgot to mention. The Master sends his apologies. He left the house and said he might not return until late.”

“Oh.”

Arthur took the silence that followed as his cue and with a quick bow left her alone. She looked at the lone painting on the opposite wall and the few simple furnishings almost unfit for a room this size. The dining room felt empty and silent, and the sound of her cutlery clinking against the plate echoed as she ate dinner alone.





Chapter Four


Laura tossed and turned in bed that night. The shadows dancing across the white cottage wall did little to ease her anxiety. She wasn’t sure what time it was or how long she had slept for when a sharp knock on the door woke her up.

She fumbled around for her clothes. The room was still dark despite the dim moonlight seeping in through the window. Laura put on a robe and dragged herself to the door. Another, more urgent, knock followed as she grabbed the handle and cracked the door open.

“Arthur?”

“Mrs. Bennet, it’s Mr. Smith.” The boy’s brows furrowed and he bit his lip. The lantern he held beside his head cast shadows on his face, making him look older.

“What happened?” Laura’s fingers tightened their grip on the door handle.