had missed into her mouth.
“On a day like today? So dreary and you say wonderful? You are full of life, Miss Darcy. Most would not venture out on the moors in this weather. It must be the adventurous spirit you inherited from your father.”
And my mother.
Darcy’s stomach gurgled with hunger. She sat in the chair before the fire and pulled bits of bread from a loaf and dipped them into the butter dish. The butter had melted from the heat, and tasted sweet on her tongue. Mrs. Burke set a plate of roast beef and braised carrots in front of her.
“I won’t see you waste away. Now eat up.”
Darcy had more than the desire for food tonight. Her mind raced with thoughts of Ethan—Ethan and his sultry eyes, his loving kiss, his warm embrace.
Mrs. Burke smiled. “It does me good to see you eat so well. Not like Mr. Langbourne, who hasn’t a care, neither the courtesy to inform me when he will be home. His rule is that meals always be ready for him in case he does arrive.”
“But that could be days,” said Darcy.
“Days? Often weeks or months. And then I don’t know if Miss Charlotte will be returning with him or not.”
“He was just here, and he has left again?”
Mrs. Burke pressed her mouth hard and narrowed her eyes. Her stiff gestures told Darcy she did not care for Langbourne or approve of his behavior. Although she was in Madeline’s employ, Langbourne was lord over Havendale. She had to obey him, whether she liked it or not. He had the power to throw any servant out if he pleased, and she wondered how long he would tolerate her visit. Would he command her to leave?
“He came home while you were out. He looked angry. Stomped about, shoving past me as if I were not to be considered. He questioned me about the tramp I’ve seen, asked if he’d been around. I dare not say. I avoid him when he is that way, and so should you. He left the house again with those men that do only the Almighty God knows what kind of business.”
The vinegary housekeeper pushed through the kitchen door with the tray, while Darcy stared out the window and watched the clouds drift apart. A misty sky surrounded Havendale, pale blue, muted gray on the horizon. Would it bring snow, or would the wind shove the clouds off and leave the sky cold and barren?
Cupping her chin in hand, she wondered where Langbourne had gone. What kind of business drew him away? How could he stay so long apart from Charlotte? Not once had Darcy seen Charlotte smile. Perhaps he kept a mistress somewhere and Charlotte suspected it. Obviously, he did not love his wife, and Darcy felt sorry for Charlotte.
Her thoughts turned to Ethan. He had looked so troubled when he rode off. It must have been something of great importance that drew him away. And so she spoke a quiet prayer for him—and for those in his household. She felt the urge to go to her grandmother’s room and tell her where she had been and that Ethan had declared his feelings for her. But Mrs. Burke returned.
“Madeline’s tired tonight, more than usual.” Mrs. Burke set the tray down on the table. The small china plate that had slices of cheese on it was missing.
Darcy shoved her plate aside. “Did she ask for me?”
“She did, but only that she wondered where you had been all day.”
As Mrs. Burke spoke, a zephyr whipped up outside and rattled the windows in the kitchen. She paused, then said, “I did see that man again today—the tramp. I beckoned him from the window to come near. I’d given the poor soul food through the window, but he turned and walked away.”
“I believe he is the same man I have seen.” She went on to tell Mrs. Burke about the day on the moors, and then the Brightons’ affair. “Mr. Langbourne made me promise not to say anything. But since you have already seen him, I had to tell you.”
“I’m glad you did, miss. Perhaps we can help him together.”
“At the Brightons’, I was close enough to him to see he is sick and starving.”
“Dear me,” said Mrs. Burke. “You must have been frightened.”
“He did not hurt me or anyone else. But he thought he knew me, or that I looked like someone he knew.”
With a start, Mrs. Burke’s brows shot up. “He did? That is indeed