It changed nothing-he was gone.
She sighed, then grimaced, recalling the transparent joy that had transformed Algaria. Ever since Richard had appeared on their horizon, Algaria had been worried, then withdrawn. His departure had more than pleased her-yesterday, she'd been reborn. Yet Catriona was sure he had done nothing to deserve Algaria's censure, or even to rattle her, or confirm her in her views. Other than to be himself.
That, apparently, was enough. Hardly a rational response. Algaria's attitude to Richard now worried her even more than it had. Perhaps there was some deeper purpose behind his leaving, one only The Lady could know.
The possibility didn't make his absence any easier to bear.
The emptiness around her weighed heavily on her heart, making breathing difficult. Dragging in some air, she sat up-and wished she hadn't. For one long instant the room spun, then slowly settled.
Forcing herself to breathe evenly, to concentrate on that, she waited, absolutely still, for the queasiness to pass. She had, it seemed, more misery in store for her than a simple broken heart. When the room had steadied and the hot flush had died, she slowly, carefully stood.
"Wonderful," she muttered, as she crossed to the wash-stand. "Morning sickness as well."
But she was still the lady of the vale-she had a role to fill, decisions to make, orders to give. She dressed with as much speed as she could muster, then, detouring via the stillroom for some soothing herbs, headed for the dining hall.
Herbal tea and plain toast was the most she could manage-the aromas rising from the plates of others nearly made her gag. She nibbled and sipped, grateful for the warmth of the tea, and tried to ignore, blot out, the smells and sounds around her.
Algaria, of course, noticed. "You're pale," she said, beaming brightly.
"I'm wretched," Catriona replied through clenched teeth.
"It's only to be expected."
Catriona turned and met Algaria's black gaze, then realized Algaria was referring, solely, to the consequences of her pregnancy. Algaria wouldn't accept-or even recognize-that Richard's departure was her principal woe. Looking back at her cup, Catriona gritted her teeth. "Don't tell anyone-not until I make the announcement."
"Good heavens-why?" Algaria gestured about them. "It's important news for the vale and the manor-everyone will be delighted."
"Everyone will be unbearable." Catriona pressed her lips together, waited for three heartbeats, then, in a more reasonable but still cold tone stated: "The news is important to me, too. I'll make the announcement when I'm ready. I don't want people fussing over me for any longer than necessary." In her present state, her temper wouldn't stand it. "I just want to be left alone to get on with the vale's business."
Algaria raised a shoulder. "As you wish. Now, about those decoctions…
She hadn't thought it possible to miss him more than she had last night-but she was wrong.
By the end of the day, as the light faded from the world, Catriona huddled at her desk, fretfully tugging two shawls about her shoulders.
She was cold to her bones-a cold that came from inside and spread insidiously through her. It was the cold of loneliness, a bone-deep chill. Throughout the day, she'd been rubbing her arms; at lunchtime she'd fetched the extra shawl. Nothing helped.
Worse, she was finding it hard to concentrate, finding it hard to keep her usual serene mask-the face she habitually wore in public as the lady of the vale-in place. Summoning the brightness to put into her smile when she greeted McArdle and the others was very nearly beyond her. Energy was something she no longer had, not in any quantity.
And she needed energy to make her lips curve, to disguise the deadness inside, but supporting her usual sunny disposition was more than she could do. Unfortunately, being the lady of the vale, she couldn't even invent a fictitious malady to account for her state-she was never ill, not in the general way.
Pushing aside the ledgers she'd been studying-the breeding records for the past three years-she sighed. Leaning back in her chair, she closed her eyes. How was she going to cope?
She lay in the chair in the darkened room and opened her senses. But no help came-no suggestion of how she might manage popped into her tired mind.
When she finally opened her eyes and sat up, the one thing she did feel sure of was that the situation was going to get worse.
Dragging herself to her feet, feeling as if the child she carried was seven months older than it was, she straightened, stacked the ledgers neatly, then, setting her shoulders back, lifting her head high, she headed for the door.
While washing and changing for dinner, she grasped the opportunity to lie down-just for a minute.
One minute turned into thirty; by the time she reached the table, it was late. Out of breath, wanting nothing more than to crawl back into her bed, she smiled serenely about the hall and helped herself to lamb collops.
Then pushed them around and around on her plate.
She felt like slumping; only by maintaining a continuous inner lecture did she manage to preserve her facade. But she couldn't eat-she'd lost her appetite. In an effort to conceal her disinterest in the food, she caught Henderson's eye. "What have the children been up to today?" In spite of his dour demeanor, Henderson had a soft spot for the manor's brats.
"Seems like the master'd been teaching some of them to ride, so I took them out to the barn." He grimaced, a depressing sight. "I'm no great horseman, though. I'm thinking they'll have to wait on his return to polish up their skills."
"Hmm." Not wanting to dwell on how long the children might have to wait, Catriona looked along the table at Mrs. Broom and gestured to the steaming apple pie just placed before her, the fruity, spicy aroma much more to her liking than the cold collops a maid had whisked away. "I congratulate you on your new receipe-the spices add a pleasing tang."
Mrs. Broom beamed. "Twas the master suggested it-seems they cook it that way in London town, but it was easy enough to do. Pity he isn't here to enjoy it-he said it was one of his favorites. But we've apples aplenty in the store-I'll make it again when he gets back."
The smile on her face felt tight; Catriona inclined her head gracefully and turned to McArdle "Has Melchett-"
"Mistress!"
"Mister Henderson!"
"Come quickly!"
With those and other cries, the manor children burst into the hall. They were led, as always, by Tom, Cook's red-headed son. He rushed straight to the main table, his gaze locked on Catriona's face. "It's the blacksmith's house, mistress. It's burning!"
"Burning?" Rising, Catriona stared down at Tom. "But…" She frowned. "It can't be."
Tom bobbed his head urgently. "It is, mistress! Flames leaping into the sky, an' all."
Everyone rushed to see. Wide-eyed, Catriona halted on the back step and saw that Tom hadn't lied. The blacksmith's small house, wedged between the forge and the granary, was alight. Angry red flames licked over the wood and stone building, engulfing it from the rear. Beyond, out of sight behind the house, lay open pigpens, presently empty.
As they watched, the flames caught better hold and roared throwing red sparks high.
Within seconds, the stable yard was a scene of confusion. Pandemonium reigned. People ran this way, then that, bumping into each other and cursing, some running to fetch pails others had already grabbed.
Dragging in a breath, Catriona lifted her head. "Henderson-you and the stablelads to the pump. Huggins, check the stable. Irons, where are you?"