“Welcome home, my dear.” Lord Oberon seemed to be the first greeter. It was difficult to make out each individual’s voice from such a distance, however, the context of their words certainly helped me determine who was speaking.
“Welcome mother,” That was definitely Elias. His voice was easily recognizable. “I hope you had a comfortable journey.”
“I have had worse.” A tart female voice glided across the gardens. “It would have been better if there hadn’t been so many stops.” An aggravated huff followed the statement. “I would prefer a competent driver next time I travel. The fool had the audacity to ask for directions nearly three times. I dismissed him before he could ask the final time and made the footman take the reins.” The lady’s voice grew more agitated as she spoke, and I nearly expected her to start shouting.
“How terrible. I’m so sorry, Jenna darling.” Luke calmed his wife rapidly in a gentle tone. I could almost feel the discomfort from here.
“Please forgive me for the inadequate staffing, my lady.” Lawrence spoke this time. “I promise to be far more vigilant in choosing proper attendants for you in the future.”
“You had better.” Lady Jenna snorted. “I never want to deal with such embarrassment again.” The voices softened as they entered the estate.
I trailed away from the window and perched above the ventilation hole in the washroom. For the first few minutes I heard nothing. I was considering giving up on overhearing anything and returning to the window when chatter began to echo through.
“Can you even believe it!? After all that time trying to establish a deal and the client backed out at the last minute! What was the point in staying at the winter home if this was going to be the outcome?” Lady Jenna’s unmistakable whines vibrated the inner walls of the home. I had never met this woman, and already I pitied Elias for having to live with her.
“That’s dreadful, Mother. We certainly would have enjoyed you joining us.” Elias’s words were perfectly level, but somehow, I didn’t believe they were fully true.
“Mother? Might I ask what business kept you from joining us in the first place? I do admit, I’m terribly curious.” Elias seemed to phrase his words delicately, which seemed rather odd. Was he not being trained in his family’s business?
“Oh, Eli dear, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself with such dull particulars.” Lady Jenna’s tone came out much more demeaning than I had expected it to. I raised an eyebrow at her strange evasion of the question.
“Oh, but I don’t find it dull, Mother,” Elias edged on. “I would be happy to learn more of your work.” I pressed my ear tighter to the vent. A rush of anticipation spread through me as I internally rooted for Elias.
“Elias,” his father’s voice broke my enthusiasm with a single breath, “don’t pester your mother. She has had a long journey and is in need of proper rest.” An awkward silence filled the space for a moment, causing me to cringe. I was glad to be far from the parlor at that moment.
“Well then,” Lady Jenna piped in again, “I suppose I shall visit my suite to freshen up before dinner.” A strange shuffling sound followed her words, along with indiscernible mumbling. A large masculine sigh followed.
“My dear, I’m afraid your room isn’t suitable just yet.” Lord Oberon’s words were breathy and irritated. He didn’t sound too pleased to be having this conversation.
“What?” she replied sharply. “Why ever not? You all have had plenty of time to prepare for my arrival, have you not?” An underlying anger seethed into her words. I once again pitied Elias for having to bear witness.
“You see, darling...” The lord paused for a moment, considering his words. “The room was found disturbed this morning, so I had everything sent out to be laundered once more. Unfortunately, it delayed the assembly of your suite more than anticipated.” I stifled a snort at his explanation. For some twisted reason, it pleased me that this spoiled lady would be forced to practice patience.
A long silence lingered after the lord’s explanation. I could only imagine the look on Lady Jenna’s face as she pondered the meaning behind his words.
After a few elongated moments, she finally voiced her thoughts. “What do you mean precisely by ‘disturbed?’” Her voice was full of ice. “Was someone in my room?” Another silence followed.
“Most likely not.” I jumped at Elias’s familiar voice as he responded. “From what I overheard from the servants, the bedsheets were found tousled. It might have simply been a clumsy maid who forgot to straighten the fresh sheets. Father simply wanted to ensure you had only the cleanest room possible this evening. Perhaps it was Bear—Ah, I mean Bartholomew who crawled in for a nap.”
This time I did snort. Did he just call his dog Bear? In front of his family? The amusement brought giddy tears to my eyes. I clapped a hand over my mouth to keep from making any further noises.
“Hmph,” Lady Jenna grumbled. “That dog of yours had better not be entering my room at all. Honestly, Luke darling, why must he stay inside the house? It’s not even hunting season, so it isn’t as if he has purpose.”
“Forgive me, my dear,” her husband replied heartlessly. “Bartholomew will have to remain inside until the weather grows stable enough. Also dear, he isn’t necessarily bred for hunting, as he is Elias’s chosen companion. As for the room, why don’t you use my suite to freshen up? If your bedding isn’t prepared by evening, then you can join me in my suite.”
“Oh, Luke,” Lady Jenna chided. “You know as well as I do that our marriage only thrives due to our strategic separation in the evenings. I shall simply stay in the guest room until my room is suitable.” Her tone sent an uncomfortable feeling through me. Is that what arranged marriages were truly like? Not even wanting to stay in the same room as your husband?
“Rest well, my dear.” Lord Oberon’s tone held no further emotion as his wife dismissed herself. I readjusted my body to continue gazing out the window when a sharp voice whipped my head back around.
“Lawrence, you fool!” The unmistakable sound of a slap resonated sickly in my ears. I gasped in horror. “You were meant to have her suite fully redone by now! What am I to do if she asks further questions?” Lord Oberon hurled his anger in pointed whispers. My arms shuddered slightly from the harshness conveyed through the walls.
“Deepest apologies, master.” I listened closely for any hint of fear in Lawrence’s voice, but there was none. He sounded as calm and level as ever. “It shall not happen again.”
“What’s it matter if it happens again or not! The damage is already done.” The lord’s voice grew louder with each passing second his wife was gone. I tensed, suddenly remembering that Elias was most likely still in the room with him.
“If she gets word that we had a trespasser, I’ll never hear the end of it.” He lowered his voice again. I furrowed my brows at the bizarreness of it all. Why was a trespasser such a big deal? I suppose it could be true that Lady Jenna wasn’t the type to take bad news well.
“Elias.” My chest tightened in sympathy for him. Would he hit him, too? “Well done, my son.” I startled at his sudden praise and let out a held breath.