Love Comes in Three

Chapter Fifty-Nine "Waiting for Apologies"

            Leah and I did precisely as Isaac had told us, we spent an hour or so talking and then she rang for a tray of chamomile tea to be brought to my room.  It took some time for her to stop looking so worried, but eventually we both eased into our regular rapport as the tea took effect. 

            "Why don't you stay with me tonight," I yawned as I laid back onto the bed.

            "I was going to check on Isaac," she said rubbing her eyes.

            "I think it would be more fitting if you stayed here, it might even garner you some acknowledgement that you did so much to keep me here on good terms."

            "Perhaps," she stifled a yawn.  "Margaret, can I tell you something?"

            "Of course," I could feel my eyelids getting heavy as she climbed onto Faith's side of the bed, "you can tell me anything now."

            "Papa doesn't know about Isaac," she said in a hushed breath, "He doesn't know that he's alive.  I don't know how to tell him . . . Isaac, I mean."

            "We will figure a way," I answered dreamily, not fully comprehending what she just expressed as sleep began to overtake me.

            "I hope so," Leah murmured as she snuggled into the pillows, "I want Isaac to be happy.  I think you make him happy."

            "I am happy," were the last words I muttered before deep sleep found me.

* * * * *

            I was jostled awake by Leah in the morning, "Margaret, wake up!  He's gone!"

            "Who is gone?" I managed as I tried to sit up with Leah practically in my lap, "What are you talking about?"

            "Isaac's gone," she whispered, "I went to check and he's gone.  What do we do?"

            I yawned and stretched, "We go downstairs to breakfast.  Remember he said he would come in the morning and apologize."

            "Oh," she sighed, "okay.  I'll change and wait for you," with that she raced from my room in an excited frenzy.

            After I took a moment to fully awake, I got dressed and met Leah in the hall.  We walked down together, quietly.  She didn't really pay attention to the two letters I held in my hand, she was looking about, especially whenever we neared a window.  I stopped before we entered the dining room, taking a breath and listening.  There was barely any noise aside from the stirring of a tea cup now and then.  I gave a nod and then followed Leah into the room.

            "Good morning," Lord and Lady Edgehill said standing.  I looked about the room before meeting their eyes.  There was a lovely breakfast laid out of pain perdu topped with berries and a dusting of sugar that made my stomach growl hungrily, yet it looked like no one had touched the food.

            I curtseyed and gave a cordial nod, setting my letters next to my plate as I took my seat, "Good morning," I managed.

            "I trust that you are well?" Lady Edgehill offered nervously.

            "Leah stayed with me," I said keeping my eyes averted.

            "She was . . . well, we all were worried about you, Miss Woodbridge," Lord Edgehill said, his voice still heavy with concern.

            "May I ask about the letters?" the lady finally said.

            "Victoria," Lord Edgehill sighed, "let the girl have some breakfast."