shrugged. “That is my affair. Not yours. All I can tell you is you won’t be seeing him again—at least not any time soon.”
His words cut deep, and she clenched the folds of her dress. “Why are you so bitter, so without compassion and forgiveness? Why must you control everyone around you?”
“Because I am lord and master of Havendale. It is my duty.”
Mrs. Burke walked into the kitchen. She paused and raised her brows, gave Darcy a glance, and looked over at Langbourne. “I’m sorry if I have interrupted, sir.”
“What do you want, Mrs. Burke?” He spoke low and harsh, but with a hint of leniency.
“I’ve come for the hamper of food for the journey, Mr. Langbourne. Perhaps Miss Darcy can help me? I’m glad to see she is out of her room at last.”
Langbourne glowered. “You should have had that ready hours ago. Darcy is not a servant, and you should know better than to ask such a question or make such comments.”
“Beg your pardon, Mr. Langbourne.” She narrowed her eyes and looked at him ready to exchange verbal blows. “I just needed help carrying it. But I’ll manage on my own.” She dragged a wicker hamper out from beneath the table. Darcy reached down to help, but Langbourne pulled her back.
“You heard what I said, Darcy. You are not a servant.”
She looked at him, drawing in a breath, and feeling confused by his endless cycle of contradictions. “She needs help. Why shouldn’t I give it?” Then she drew the basket up by the side handle. But Mrs. Burke gave her a little smile and a gentle touch of her hand.
“I have it, miss. Thank you anyway.” And she stepped from the kitchen out into the hallway. Darcy could hear banging above her now—Madeline pounding her cane on the floor and calling to her, Maxwell barking. She did not wait for Langbourne’s permission, but squeezed past him and hurried upstairs, relieved he did not stop her.
The brass knob on Madeline’s door felt as smooth as oil from all the hands that had turned it through the years. The room had the feel of emptiness, as if no one had lived in it. The bottles and trinkets on Madeline’s dressing table were packed away. Her powder box, jewel box, horsehair brush and ivory comb were inside her trunk. All that remained were the furniture and the made bed. Darcy recalled the first day she met her grandmother in this room, how it smelled sweet with rosewater. Now only a hint lingered.
Madeline stretched out her arms and Darcy hurried to her. “Grandmother, I am here.”
“Where is Hayward? What has happened?”
“He is safely away at Fairview.”
A little worry went from her eyes. “Oh, I am glad. He is to see Eliza, and she will make him well.”
“Yes, everything shall be all right.”
“You are the only one who understands what I am feeling, Darcy.”
She gave Madeline a cheerful smile, hoping to lighten her burden. “Charlotte will grow weary of us and Maxwell. Then she will insist we return to Havendale. Have you ever been to Meadlow?”
“Never. I have not been away from Havendale in twenty odd years. I found no reason to venture anywhere else.” She began to tremble. “Oh, dear. London—the city of vice. I do not wish to go there.”
“No, no, Grandmother. We are not going to London. Meadlow is here in Derbyshire not too far from Havendale.”
Madeline sighed. “’Tis no better, my girl. Home is where the heart is, and here in this house is mine. I raised my boys here, loved and lost my second husband here. And the churchyard on the hill is where he lies near to my first. The first was so young, you know. I hardly remember Harrison’s face, it was so long ago.”
The sadness in Madeline’s voice brought tears to Darcy’s eyes. What a sorrowful life the woman had lived. She held her grandmother’s hand. Her veins were raised and blue, her skin cold and clammy. Each breath seemed labored, pained, and in her eyes swam fear.
“I wish I could take you to my home along the river,” Darcy told her. “It is peaceful there, and we have godly neighbors who’d do anything for a person in need.” Madeline asked her to describe it again, and as she did Mrs. Burke opened the door and waited on the threshold.
“They are ready for us to come down, miss. What can I do to help ease my mistress? She is so distressed.”
“Stay with her a while,