Ravenwood(48)
“I trust you slept well?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
“If there’s anything I can do to make your nights more comfortable, please let me know.”
The man was completely distasteful. “I wouldn’t want to trouble you,” Elinore answered.
“It would be no trouble at all.”
Elinore felt slightly cold and clammy from the way his words slithered of his tongue. “I’m afraid I have something to confess,” she said, deciding to break the news about the vase to him. Better to get it done quickly than to worry that she’d forget.
“What could a lovely girl like you possibly have to confess?”
“I broke a vase. In the second room on the right, just off the stairs.”
Hayter paused, forcing Elinore to come to a stop as well or jerk her arm out of its socket to free it from his firm grasp. “How?”
Elinore shrugged, forcing her face into what Charlotte had always called her most vapid expression. “Oh, I was still dreaming I suppose and knocked it off its perch. I’m dreadfully sorry.”
Hayter’s hand tightened on her arm and she winced, staring at where his fingers were digging into her skin. “Most of our possessions here at Ravenwood are quite costly.”
With his icy blue eyes fixed on her, Elinore could well see why Amelia feared him so. In that moment, he was like one of the heads hanging in his den - deadly and frozen still. Elinore couldn’t back out now, nor did she want to. “It was an accident, Uncle.”
He adjusted his fingers on her arm, flexing them and then gripping tight again. “You should take more care in the future, my dear.”
Elinore was certain she’d have bruises on her arm that night in the shape of his fingers. “Of course. It was quite foolish of me.”
Hayter did not let go of her arm even once they were inside the dining room, leading Elinore directly to her chair and then pulling it out with his other hand. As gracefully as she could, she took her seat, exhaling when Hayter finally released his grip. The place he’d grabbed on her arm felt hot under the fabric of her dress. Hayter went directly to the serving board, cursing over something. He shouted for Mrs. Thistlewaite, who came immediately into the room, her surprise at seeing Hayter evident.
“You’re up early this morning, sir. Would you like your regular meal?”
“Of course,” Hayter snapped. “And coffee.”
“Yes, sir.” Mrs. Thistlewaite had a kinder look on her face as she turned to Elinore. “And you, miss. Same as usual?”
“Yes, thank you. How is Mr. Thistlewaite? Alice mentioned the doctor would be by again today, correct?”
“He does a mite better every day. You’re a love to ask after him. I’ll be sure to mention it to him. And yes, the doctor’s coming out today.”
“I should love to stop in and see him, if he’s up to it. Will you let me know when I may?”
“Of course, love. Would you like me to pour you some tea?” she gestured to the side-board where a pot of the fragrant tea Caleb, and now Elinore favored, waited.
“She’ll have coffee,” Hayter interrupted. “Coffee that is not currently making itself,” he added pointedly. Mrs. Thistlewaite hesitated, looking between Elinore and Hayter. Elinore smiled at her and nodded. She was quite capable of getting her own tea, despite Hayter’s resolve that she should drink coffee. Mrs. Thistlewaite bustled out of the room while Elinore rose, feeling Hayter’s eyes burning into the back of her skull while she poured a cup of tea, pausing to inhale the fragrant steam. She heard the sounds of Caleb’s footsteps coming down the hall a moment before he entered the dining room and she nearly sagged with relief. She’d thought she would have to bear breakfast alone with Hayter and a walk with him on top of it.
Breakfast with Hayter was akin to eating next to a large, looming mountain precipice that may topple over at any moment. Elinore kept her eyes mostly focused on her food, but was quite aware of Hayter’s presence beside her. Though she’d just overheard the two men arguing, they still seemed to have a number of business items to discuss. Though, ‘discuss’ was probably not the correct word. Hayter gave direction, Caleb would clarify and then Hayter would switch topics. It was clear that Hayter was displeased, both with Caleb and Elinore. Caleb glanced over at her once or twice, likely trying to ascertain what she could have possibly done to anger their uncle. Elinore, in the manner of young ladies everywhere, had perfected the art of a serene expression on her face while she sipped her tea and ate her breakfast.
The food was as marvelous as the day before. Elinore was ravenous, as she had been yesterday, and ate all that was on her plate and considered the remainder of the breakfast rolls in the center of the table. She was already looking forward to a mid-morning snack, hopefully with Alice by her side.
“Perhaps we should go for our walk now, Elinore, if you’re done your breakfast?”
Hayter’s voice caught her by surprise and she glanced down at her empty plate, wishing for more food, not only for her belly, but to stave off a morning walk.
“We’ve an appointment in Haleton,” Caleb said sharply and Hayter fixed him with a glare. It seemed for a moment, as though his eyes were no longer blue, but golden yellow. The two men stared at each other and Elinore felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. She had a strong urge to push her chair away from the table slowly, so slowly, and perhaps creep quietly from the room. Finally Hayter smiled, at least, with his mouth, flashing his white teeth. His eyes stayed cold and distant.