sat back against the seat. Disappointment was not a word that adequately described her feelings at the moment. It was deeper than that. She had been so excited about coming to London, overjoyed to be able to tell Gordon that nothing stood between them anymore. Now his absence felt like another barrier that needed to be torn down. She was growing excessively tired of people and situations preventing her from being with the man she loved.
Chapter Forty
The change in Jennifer was remarkable. It was as if someone had turned on a switch and made life appear in her eyes. She smiled. She’d even laughed in the past day. She’d stood up to Maggie in a way that had completely surprised Ellen.
Why, though, should she be startled at Jennifer’s behavior? Her daughter was a strong woman. She’d cared for Mary without complaint, even as Harrison had ignored them all. For nearly a year before Mary’s death, Jennifer had taken on the duty of Adaire Hall, continuing when Harrison had abdicated all responsibility.
Ellen couldn’t help but recall the night she and Harrison had arrived at Adaire Hall, interrupting Jennifer and Gordon at dinner. In that moment, seeing them together, she’d known that Jennifer was in love. Gordon’s five-year absence was the reason why Jennifer sometimes looked inconsolable. His presence brought out the sparkle in her eyes and a rose to her cheeks. Nor had she stopped smiling during the entire dinner. Not only that, but she’d glanced at Gordon often and stretched out her hand toward his, as if she couldn’t bear not touching him.
Love was not in such abundance in the world that it could afford to be quashed. Nor was she going to allow her daughter to be hurt. She was going to obtain Gordon’s location, and if they had to return to Scotland immediately, that was fine, too. She had unlimited funds at her disposal and time to act as Cupid.
Therefore, Ellen found herself in front of the Mayfair Club once again. She’d waited until after dinner, when Jennifer had retired to her suite. Then she’d called for her carriage, and she was more than prepared to go to war with Maggie Boyland.
A few minutes later, she was knocking on the door of the Mayfair Club once again.
“Good evening, Ellison,” she said, evidently surprising the man who probably hadn’t expected her to learn his name.
“Ma’am,” Ellison said, bowing slightly.
“I should like to see Miss Boyland again. Would that be possible?”
Demands rarely accomplished anything. Sweetness, on the other hand, often accomplished more.
“I shall not take very much of her time,” she added.
Ellison opened the door wider, stepped back, and bowed slightly again.
“If you will remain here, ma’am, I shall inquire.”
“Thank you,” she said, smiling brightly at the man as she sat at the end of the bench.
In a flash he was up the stairs.
She was quite proud of herself. No one looking at her would guess at the level of rage she was hiding at the moment.
First of all, she was tired. The journey from Edinburgh had been long, difficult, and taxing. Although her dinner had been excellent, she was still hungry. She craved a tray in bed and perhaps a snifter of brandy. After that she fully intended to sleep for a day or two.
She had reached her quota of emotion. She wanted no more histrionics of any sort, which made her thankful Abigail had stayed in Edinburgh. She wanted things done the way they should be. She was heartily tired of the world running counter to what she thought was right, proper, and just.
No one should stand between Gordon and Jennifer any longer. They’d both been through too much in the past few years. She certainly wasn’t going to allow Maggie Boyland to be a harpy, when kindness would be just as easy. She didn’t care what kind of resentment Maggie felt for Jennifer; withholding information about Gordon at this point was simply cruel.
Ellison suddenly appeared in front of her.
“Miss Boyland only has a few moments, but she’s willing to spare them for you.”
No doubt Maggie had said those exact words to him. Ellen stood, smiling again.
“How very kind of her.” Hopefully, Ellison did not hear the sarcasm in her voice.
He escorted her up the stairs again and down the corridor. This time the door was closed and he knocked three times before they heard Maggie’s voice.
Ellison opened the door, stepped back, and bowed once more.
She thanked him again with a smile. With a placid expression firmly in