How did she do this? The endless stream of days stretched out before her, none of them holding any significance or joy. Somehow, she was going to have to find meaning in something. How, though? How was she supposed to forget Gordon? Was there a tonic she could take to induce a loss of memory?
It was easier to sleep than to endure each day.
Ellen didn’t know what was wrong with Jennifer, but something obviously was. First of all, she’d never left Adaire Hall for an extended visit without some coaxing on Ellen’s part. Secondly, Jennifer was not the kind of woman who sat in a window seat and stared out at the world. No, she was the type of person other people watched.
Something had happened. Something drastic enough to have canceled the wedding and altered Jennifer’s demeanor. She accompanied Ellen shopping, but she wasn’t interested in purchasing anything. She didn’t seem involved in their conversations. She rarely smiled. She was sleeping late and retiring early.
The past week had been a guessing game, and so far, Ellen hadn’t come up with any answers. Harrison had returned to London, which wasn’t a surprise. However, his young wife had come back to Edinburgh, which was. Since she’d introduced Harrison to Lauren, she felt a sense of guilt that was difficult to banish.
Jennifer wasn’t ill, at least according to the answers she’d given Ellen. There was something weighing her down. That wasn’t difficult to figure out. However, her goddaughter wasn’t confiding in her.
The sad fact was that Ellen didn’t know how to handle this situation. She didn’t have anyone to go to for advice. This was Jennifer, after all, and she didn’t discuss Jennifer with anyone.
Something had to be done. Colin had often said that in the case of difficult situations, assume the mantle of confidence and barge on through.
The only problem was that she didn’t know what to say or do.
Although the wedding was off, Jennifer hadn’t said why. Nor had she spoken Gordon’s name once.
She had to admit that Gordon was a fascinating man. He reminded her of Colin, and it wasn’t difficult to see why. Colin, too, had come from humble beginnings, but he’d prospered in his life, accomplishing more than most men she knew. Gordon struck her as having the same kind of determination and drive.
Mary had often spoken of the gardener’s son in admiring tones. As far as Ellen was concerned, Gordon had impressed her because of his care and concern for Jennifer. She was more than willing to overlook his antecedents because Jennifer loved him.
However, something drastic had happened and Jennifer hadn’t explained. Why was the wedding canceled?
Hamish Campbell had invited them to a luncheon. She would like to see Hamish again, renew their acquaintance, and see the baby as well. Mary would be so pleased to know that she had a granddaughter.
When Harrison had been smart enough to offer for Lauren, Ellen had been overjoyed. She’d given up thinking that he was going to do something right. However, he’d managed to be married only a year and the young couple was already having problems. She didn’t doubt that Harrison’s living in London was the reason.
The distraction of a visit to the Campbells would do Jennifer good. If nothing else, perhaps she would confide in Lauren. When she informed Jennifer of the invitation and the fact that she was going to accept it, her goddaughter didn’t say a word to her. She didn’t even nod. All she did was smile wanly in her direction.
Ellen hated feeling inept. Nor was she happy about being unable to help Jennifer. She loved that girl more than anyone else on earth. Sometimes, she thought that Colin had been jealous of her affection for Jennifer. More than once he’d made the comment that she should’ve had her own children. She wished she could have had his child, but regrets were foolish, a lesson she’d learned long ago.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Gordon had always been proud to be a Scot. In fact, he even accentuated his brogue in conversations with obstreperous Englishmen. Yet he felt a curious reluctance to cross the border into Scotland.
He was too close to Jennifer.
He still hadn’t called in Harrison’s markers, but the moment he did, he would essentially destroy Adaire Hall. The estate might be entailed, but if there wasn’t any money to operate and maintain it, it would only be a matter of time until the servants were disbanded, the house emptied of its treasures, and it