why had he not left her a note? Or some word of his departure? Could he not have waited to take his leave of her? A quarter of an hour meant he had left the house only minutes before she returned from the outing with the children.
Their conversation the day previous, his gentle words and open affection, had given Alice every reason to hope—to hope he meant what he said. But to leave the duke’s home, and their project, with nary a word of instruction or reassurance of his return—
Stop being silly, Alice told herself sternly, hiding her fear behind the rim of her teacup.
Emma’s expression changed from one of curiosity to something more like sympathy. She turned her gaze to the flowers on the table and reached for one, lightly touching an unfurled leaf. “What is this flower called, Alice? I cannot say that I know it.”
Alice cleared away her thoughts, promising herself she would not dwell on a thing she could not know.
Why had Rupert left without so much as a word of farewell? Not even a written one?
Chapter 19
The excellent condition of the roads and lack of summer rain allowed Rupert’s carriage, borrowed from the duke, to arrive well before dinner. Two hours of travel had not at all dampened his curiosity or dimmed his hope that Alice would understand.
Rupert exited the coach, Billings behind him giving directions to the footmen, and he took in his father’s estate with a critical eye. It was not even a quarter of the size of the duke’s castle. But it was more comfortable than the castle would ever be, with a more welcoming air, because it was home. He climbed the steps to enter between the two wide columns that marked the doorway, then stepped into the hall. The floor was finely polished wood instead of marble, the staircase not sweeping but elegant enough for his tastes.
His mother appeared at the top step. “Rupert, darling! Welcome home.” She came down, one hand upon the rail, and he met her halfway with a quick embrace.
“Mother, I have missed you.”
She leaned away and shook a finger at him. “You ought to have come home more, young man. The duke’s house is not so far as to make a visit every fortnight impossible. Or you could have written.”
"I know,” he admitted, one arm around his mother’s shoulders as he turned so they might both walk up the stairs. “I am afraid I have been rather caught up in my work.”
He had been head and shoulders taller than her since his fourteenth birthday, and walking with her thus was quite natural. Not many English boys could boast of having a mother such as his—a woman of understanding and love who had never felt the need to smother her son with either.
“That is hardly an excuse. I never allowed your father to neglect me in his pursuits of science, and I shall not allow it of you.” She parted from him at the top of the stairs. “Whatever will happen if you find a wife and she thinks you prefer your insects to her company?”
An image of Alice’s amused smile overtook Rupert’s thoughts, and he had to chuckle at his mother’s question. “I will do my utmost to ensure my wife knows the place she holds in my heart.”
Something about his tone appeared to startle his mother, as she folded her hands before her and drew herself up, peering into his eyes. “I think that is the first time you have met the subject of a wife with a smile.”
Rupert cleared his throat and diverted his gaze. “Where is Father hiding today? The urgency of his summons made me believe he would be waiting for me at the gates.”
“You know your father. Anything to do with the Royal Society...” She let her words trail away with a wave. “He is in his study.”
Rupert’s eyebrows lifted, and he turned toward the corridor leading to his father’s sanctum. The Royal Society? His father had mentioned nothing to do with the body of science-minded gentlemen in his note.
“Oh, go on with you. Neither of you are fit company until you have discussed all things genus and species.” She gave Rupert a gentle push on the shoulder. “Have it out, then we can talk of other things at dinner.”
Rupert dropped a quick kiss upon his mother’s cheek. “You are an angel, Mother.” He swept off to his father’s study, his mind turning over the possibilities of scientific news important