Yes, but it doesn’t compare a jot to the pain in my heart. “It’s nothing. But thank you for asking.”
“No, don’t get up. Breakfast in bed always makes me feel better.”
Sally was in no rush to leave her bed, so she slumped against the pillows as Caro set the loaded tray on her knees. “You’re very kind.”
“I brought you a couple of rolls and some eggs. But I can ring for bacon and sausages and kidneys, if you’d like those, too.”
The thought of cooked meat made Sally’s stomach cramp with nausea.
Caro laughed. “Oh, my Lord, you’ve gone quite green. I’m glad I followed my instincts.”
She poured Sally some coffee and passed it to her, then crossed to fling the curtains apart. She turned back in time to catch Sally flinching away from the stark gray light that flooded the room.
Caro grimaced in sympathy. “You do look terrible.”
Her friend had a reputation for frankness bordering on tactlessness, and her unconcealed horror as she surveyed Sally made her laugh, despite how miserable she felt. “Thank you very much.”
“I’m sorry.” Caro had the grace to blush. “Silas is always telling me to think before I speak. But I only remember—”
“After you’ve spoken?”
“Exactly.”
Sally took a sip of coffee. And wished it was hemlock.
If only Morwenna or Amy were here. She liked Caro and Helena, but she didn’t feel ready to confide in either of them. Worse, she couldn’t bear to become an object of pity—as she would, if these happily married women knew she’d foolishly settled her affections on the man her niece was to wed.
Then she remembered that it was better for everyone if she never revealed her heart’s hidden longings. Should Meg ever hear a whisper of Sally’s hopeless infatuation, she’d be so upset—and it might create a rift in the family. Easier all round if Sally just suffered in silence.
What a grim prospect.
A concerned expression darkened Caro’s deep blue eyes. “I think you should spend the day in bed with a good book. I remember how exhausting the season can be when one is in the thick of things. It’s still raining. Nobody will be doing anything exciting today.”
Except celebrating Meg’s engagement to Sir Charles.
To hide another wince, Sally began to butter one of the crusty rolls, although the thought of food made her gag. It was time to be brave and continue as she meant to go on, no matter what it cost her. She had a lot of practice at that. She spoke the words that murdered all her unworthy hopes.
“No, I’ll need to come downstairs to give Sir Charles my approval and congratulate the happy couple—and I’m sure Meg wants to discuss arrangements.” She made herself take a bite of her roll.
Caro looked puzzled as she reached for a roll and tore it in half. “What happy couple?”
Sa
lly frowned. “Surely Sir Charles proposed last night.” She took another bite, although the bread tasted like sawdust in her mouth.
Caro bit into her roll and closed her eyes in pleasure. “These are wonderful. Helena’s cook is a treasure.”
Sally stuck to her guns. “As Meg’s aunt, it’s my duty to appear.”
“Not a bit of it,” Caro said cheerfully. “Nobody has proposed to anyone. Or at least not as far as I know.”
Sally frowned, her coffee cup halfway to her lips. “But Sir Charles and Meg went off to look at paintings.”
“So they did. Are you worried that you’re failing as a chaperone?”
“They were alone.”
“They were. But Sir Charles is a gentleman, and anyway, Helena hunted them out before too long. No need to worry about scandal compelling a wedding.” Caro studied her with sharp eyes. “Or were you hoping that there would be a scandal, and our handsome baronet would have to propose?”