Chapter 20: Tension in the room
Ruelle stood in the drawing room as she began to tidy up the place before she would leave for Sexton. The guests had decided to return to their houses directly from the church, while her parents were remained with the newlyweds. She was glad that the wedding ceremony had gone smoothly and she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
The soft creak of the door behind her pulled her from her thoughts. She turned to find Ezekiel standing in the doorway.
"Mr. Henley?" Ruelle looked taken aback by his presence . She glanced behind him, and asked, "Where is Caroline?" There was an undercurrent of nervousness in her voice that she masked behind a smile.
Ezekiel’s eyes locked with hers, and she felt the room beginning to turn constrict as he stepped further into the room. He replied, "She’s talking to your aunt, who is about to leave." After a tense pause, he added with an edge in his voice, "You weren’t at the altar."
"Oh, I was standing at the side with the guests. I got there a little late, but I didn’t miss the ceremony," Ruelle replied, her tone formal and distant—a barrier she’d built between them, though one she wasn’t sure she could maintain for long under his scrutiny.
"Everyone in the family is delighted and eagerly anticipating next weekend. Especially Caroline. She hasn’t stopped talking about it."
"She is a lovely young lady. Then it’s settled. We’ll see this through."
Ezekiel’s jaw clenched slightly. That was not what he meant. Did she not know that he wanted to marry her? He couldn’t believe the blunder that had unfolded. Casually, he asked,
"Did you leave the house last night, Ruelle?"