I did not reply—not knowing what to say—but I was more certain than ever that the conflicting emotions I had seen in Michael’s face had been real, and I was intensely curious as to why. Was the possibility of losing his fiancée all that distressed him, or was there something more?
Before I could ask, however, our host’s attention was diverted by a man at the top of the stairs. Michael’s arm stiffened beneath my hand, and I glanced between the two men, trying to read the silent communication passing between them, for it obviously distressed Michael in some way. Even though the man was not attired in the Dalmay livery, from the hunched posture of his shoulders and the worn appearance of his clothing I could see that he was a servant. A gardener, perhaps, or the stable master? But what one of those employees would be doing on the upper floors of the manor, I could not fathom.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Michael’s subtle nod, and then, as quickly as the man appeared, he was gone.
“I must apologize.” Michael turned back toward me to announce, “There is a matter I must see to.” His soft gray eyes were strained. “I’m afraid it cannot wait.”
“Of course,” Philip replied. “Think nothing of it.” The tone of his voice told me he believed the matter had something to do with the usual running of an estate, but I was not so certain.
And if the gaze Michael continued to level at me was any indication, he was aware of my interest. He did not seem worried by it, merely attentive, and this in and of itself heightened my curiosity even more. I wished we were alone, so that I might ask him. Only Alana’s and Philip’s presence behind us kept me from voicing the questions forming on my lips.
Michael’s gaze broke away from mine. “Mrs. MacDougall will see you to your rooms,” he informed us as we approached the landing where his housekeeper stood waiting for us. “I look forward to seeing you at dinner.”
Then, with a quick bow, he hurried around a corner and out of sight, in the same direction the mysterious servant must have gone. I glanced over my shoulder to see if my sister and her husband had noticed the strange altercation, but they seemed consumed by their own worries for Alana’s health and the reasons behind Lady Hollingsworth’s summons.
I turned back to the housekeeper, listening absentmindedly to her greeting while most of my attention remained with Michael and the grizzled servant. I couldn’t help wondering if there had been something Michael wanted to say to me. Would he approach me later, or would time and distance persuade him to hold his tongue? I was anxious to join the others in the drawing room before dinner, if for no other reason than to catch a few moments alone with our host.
CHAPTER FOUR
Having washed the dust of the road from my face and hands, I dressed quickly in a marine blue gown with ivory lace trim, the least rumpled of my evening gown choices, for it lay at the top of my trunk. Its sloped shoulders and slightly puffed sleeves were the latest fashion, or so Alana had told me when she’d ordered it for me six months before. After affixing the matching marine blue belt around my waist, I allowed Lucy, my maid, to fuss over my deflated hair; however, I refused to let her curl the fashionable ringlets that graced the sides of most ladies’ heads. I was impatient to see Michael, and ringlets would take far too long to perfect. A simple knot would have to do.
Ignoring my maid’s petulant expression, I slipped out of my chamber to retrace my steps to the entry hall, when the sound of a shrill voice brought me up short. The sound was emanating from the suite my sister shared with her husband across the hall, and, though I had never heard the ever-proper marchioness speak in such a strident manner, the voice was undoubtedly Lady Hollingsworth’s.
I hesitated, wondering whether I should join the members of Philip’s family gathered in his suite. The shrieks and outrages Lady Hollingsworth uttered penetrated the wood door, as well as the calmer rumble of Philip’s voice, but the words were indistinct. I could not have eavesdropped on their conversation even had I wanted to.