Chapter 173
As night fell upon the town, Madeline walked around inspecting the manor as she awaited Victor’s return.
"Emmett, please have some maids ready to draw my husband a bath when he returns. He is a bit late," Madeline said, worried about his late return. "Did he go somewhere other than to a friend?"
"War might be upon us, Lady Ambrose. The lord informed the guards to be ready for any attack and he spoke about a ship. For all my years of knowing the lord, he must be doing a lot of planning to keep you safe," Emmett said in the hope of calming her fears.
"That is possible. There are some close friends and relatives he would want to prepare for anything. Let us hope it does not come to war. It would be upsetting to have to leave our home and quiet life. I heard there were plenty of gifts put away for Rose," said Madeline.
"Yes. She had us place them in her room. Do you want me to speak to the maids to keep them from speaking about it? If I may, the town might find it odd that you have allowed her suitor to stay here," Emmett voiced his concern.
"Hmm," Madeline hummed, touching a flower placed in a vase. Since Rose’s return, she felt the need to brighten up the manor with more flowers. "The town is finding everything odd. I know some have been calling her a ghost."
"Zayne brought Rose home to us. Had I sent him elsewhere instead of opening our doors to him, they would have called us rude. There is nothing I can do to please them and I won’t. My focus is on my daughters at the moment. Have you heard anything about my mother-in-law?" Madeline asked.
"My apologies for not finishing what you tasked me with. The boy I sent out has not returned," Emmett answered.
"It is fine. Do not let anything about her reach my daughters’ ears. I beg you," Madeline pleaded, needing help in this matter. "You have been here since my early years. Other than Victor, I think no one understands my battle with her like you."