In truth, I had come in search of a diversion and I'd thought a hunt would be the perfect distraction from my own thoughts which seemed to wander as of late. But when I saw her standing in the gardens with her brother, I knew the effort was fruitless. Made even more so by the strange way she had behaved when I'd greeted her. Cold and distant and fleeing from me the first chance she got. I must have done something to offend her. I must have made some mistake. But I could not, for the life of me, think of what that may be. And so this became the center of my thoughts for the entirety of the hunt which I had sought out for the exact opposite purpose.

"I saw several gentlemen coming and going from the house this morning, Elijah," Benthem said with a smile as we rode quietly through the woods, the only sounds before now being our horses' hooves on the pounded dirt path.

"Indeed," Elijah replied, though he did not smile as Benthem had. "I thought that would be a good sign. Until I went inside to change my clothes for the hunt and heard my mother and sister at one another's throats once again."

"Whatever for? Isn't this precisely what your mother wanted?"

"It wasn't my mother who was upset this time."

"Emily?" Benthem asked, surprised. "Why was she upset?"

Elijah's eyes slid to me. Oh no.

"It seems that she fancied a certain gentleman, a specific gentleman, and he did not come to call," Elijah explained. It took everything I had not to mutter a curse.

"Oh dear," Benthem said, oblivious. "Well, did he show any interest before?"

"I believe he showed her a kindness which she misconstrued as interest," Elijah replied and I felt a tremendous sense of relief at his words. Watching me still, he raised a brow. "But I could be wrong?"

"No," I answered and Benthem looked between us, finally realizing what was occurring.

"Oh," Benthem said in understanding. "I see."

"You did say you had come to find a wife," Elijah reminded me. "And Emily is eligible. I do not blame you for the misunderstanding. As her older brother, I would urge you to consider her but as, what I hope I can call your friend, I would just like to request that if you have no interest, you ensure that she's aware of your intentions, or lack thereof."

I nodded.

"A reasonable request," I answered. "And my apologies. Sincerely, Elijah, I meant no harm."

"I know you didn't," Elijah responded, stopping his horse and hopping off. Benthem and I did the same. "Has this business between Madison and Ella been resolved?"

He was looking at Benthem now and I imagined that was the end of our conversation concerning Emily. I was grateful for that. As uncomfortable as I'd been, he had conducted himself well. The proper big brother looking out for the safety and wellbeing of his younger sister. I knew he loved Emily but I could also tell, as could anyone who paid attention, that the core of his true affection lied with Ella and had it been she I'd placed in that situation, I doubted he would have been as generous.

"Who's to say?" Benthem answered with a sigh. "Matters between women, you know. One moment they're at each other's throats, the next they're the greatest of friends again. All I know is that Madison felt so awful she wouldn't eat dinner last night and every time I tried to get her to tell me what had occurred between the two of them, she simply turned away and sobbed into her pillow. If it isn't resolved yet, I pray it will be soon. I can't take the tears."

"Ella wouldn't tell me what happened either."

"I imagine it has something to do with the, er, comment that Madison made of an inappropriate nature last night."

Elijah suddenly cleared his throat. I turned my head away as well. Benthem did not have to clarify which comment he was referring to. I was sure Elijah was still mortified by it and I myself hadn't stopped thinking about it either. Though I imagine my reasons were much different from theirs. Elijah sighed.

"Yes, that," he said with a grimace.

"Believe me," Benthem added. "It will not happen again."

"So long as my mother never finds out. It might, quite literally, kill the woman."

The three of us laughed as we walked deeper into the forest to begin our hunt. The day proved to be diverting enough. I still could not shake thoughts of a certain auburn-haired Lady but it was better than sitting in my borrowed office, previously Elijah's, and staring at the expense reports my mother had sent along from Northumberland.

We returned home in time for dinner. Pheasant, likely remaining from one of our previous hunts. The Countess invited us to sit at the dining table while apologizing on Emily's behalf. It seemed the girl had taken ill and wouldn't be joining us for dinner. Or so she said. I caught Elijah glancing my way as his mother made her excuses. Just as she finished, Madison and Ella entered through a side door, arm in arm and giggling. It seemed they had made up from whatever skirmish they'd gotten into. Benthem seemed pleased to see it, beaming at them both as his wife took a seat next to him, giving him a swift peck on the cheek as she did. Ella made her way to Elijah's side, sitting directly across from me at my place next to Benthem. I tried to catch her eye and did so for only a brief moment before she quickly looked away, suddenly taking a great interest in rearranging her napkin onto her lap. Right. She was cross with me for some reason.

But throughout the meal, I noticed, she did not act cross. Rather, she seemed simply distant. Cold and unfriendly. Nothing like the glowing warmth that I had witnessed teeming from the girl since the moment we'd met. Benthem noticed too, raising a brow in question when I requested she pass me the rolls and she did so without so much as looking up at me.

While Elijah told stories of our hunting adventure, I watched her, trying to reason out what I'd done, why she was upset with me. But she didn't glance my way. Not once the entire evening. And by the end of dinner, I'd had it. The Countess excused herself first, claiming she wished to freshen up before bed. Her husband went with her. Benthem and Madison were whispering to one another beside me and hardly noticed dinner had ended at all. Ella was the second to rise, claiming she was tired and was heading to bed. I stood next, making an excuse of having work that needed done, and followed her from the room.

"Ella!" I called for her once we were both in the hall on our way toward the staircase. She did not turn so I tried again. "Ella!"

She walked on.

"Lady Harrington!" I tried and she stopped. Slowly, she turned to face me. Hands clasped in front of her, eyebrows arched in question.

"May I help you, Your Grace?" she asked with such demure sensibility that I nearly snapped. I stared at her for a moment before marching the few steps to close the gap between us. My face was only a foot from hers but she did not flinch. She held my gaze as I stared into her bright blue eyes.

"May you help me?" I repeated, incredulous. "That's enough, Ella. What is it? What have I done to upset you?"

"I'm not upset," she said, calmly. Too calmly. It only made me angrier.

"Not upset!" I burst.

"If you'll excuse me, Sir, I am very tired."

With that and not a word more, she turned and made her way up the stairs. I watched her go, stunned, grappling with what had just happened here. Finally, I turned and made my way back to the dining room.

"Madison," I barked as I entered. She jumped a bit from where she sat still next to her husband. "Can I speak with you?"

"Sure," she said, though she sounded anything but.

"In the study."

She exchanged a look with Benthem but followed me all the same. I strode into Elijah's study and she followed, shutting the door behind her. I paced behind the desk as I waited for her.

"She's not mad at you," I said. "Perhaps she never was. But she is mad at me. Why?"

Madison paused for a moment, considering.

"I don't know who you-" she tried.

"Don't, Madison," I stopped her. "You know precisely who I'm speaking of."

"If it's Emily you-"

"Ella," I snapped, losing my patience. "You know that Madison. Why would I be asking you about Emily? It isn't Emily that you're friends with, is it?"

"Well, perhaps not as closely but-"

"Madison."

"I did upset her," she admitted. "Twice. And she was fleeing the powder room to get away from me but she didn't leave the ball until..."

She trailed off. I leaned forward, placing my hands on the desk in front of me.

"Until what, Madison?" I asked.

"Your Grace, I really don't feel comfortable-"

"Tell me."

There was a quiet knock on the door then, interrupting us. Benthem slid inside, looking from me, standing enraged behind Elijah's desk, to his wife who cowered in the corner. I had to admit the scene as he saw it did not make me look like the good guy in this situation.

"I think it's time I take my wife to bed, Victor," Benthem said, firmly but not unfriendly. "If you have any business with her, you can take it up with me."

The tension in my shoulders relaxed and I blinked back to reality, seeing how frightened Madison was for the first time.

"I-I'm sorry," I told her but she just stared back at me, wide-eyed. "I didn't mean to shout. I just- it's been a long day. You understand?"

She nodded and allowed Benthem to lead her from the room. He gave me a nod of understanding as he left as well and I waited until they were gone before I collapsed into Elijah's chair, wondering when, exactly, I'd lost all sense.