Page 113 of Tears of Ink

I chuckle, even though the sound is leaden and heavy. “I’ll lick my wounds later.”

“Bye, Faith.”

“Bye, Elijah.”

I hang up and find Elaine watching me clutching a tray of tea and biscuits. “I was bringing a snack for you all.”

I smile at her gratefully. “It’s a mess in there.”

She chuckles and bustles past me. “I’m getting used to that with you around.”

I turn for the main house. If anyone will know where Lewis is, it’s going to be the Baroness.

The door to her study is open. She’s sitting at her desk reading some paperwork. A warm smile curves her lips as I knock. “Have you got a minute?” I ask, although for a moment I wonder if she’s lost her sensibilities—she seems almost pleased to see me.

“I do, I do, come in.” She motions for the visitor chair. “How are things going? Gerard tells me you are moving onto paints and canvases this week. I can’t wait to see what you create.”

It’s impossible. I shake my head and stare at her in confusion. “I’m sorry, are we friends now because Elijah saw sense and pulled out of our little fling?”

Her smile tightens. “It’s for the best. We all want you to succeed, and this way you can.”

I sag a little in my seat. It doesn’t matter that Eli and I met last night, it doesn’t matter what I feel for him—which is scarily close to everything. It will still never be. Because of her.

“Anyway, I’m here about Lewis. What have you done to him?”

“Lewis? That vulgar young boy?”

“Yes, you know, Elijah’s client.”

“No idea. I’m staying out of the way of all your visitors.”

I eye her speculatively. “Until the ball, and then you will pretend to the press that the whole thing has been your idea.”

Her lips press together tight and she leans onto her fingers, resting her chin. “And there will be a lot of press. I’ve had confirmation today that Sky Arts are attending with a film crew. It’s possible they will think of televising this whole project if we run it again next year.”

I stare at her in alarm. “I can’t be involved in that.” The idea is awful. Imagine all the people who know my darker side seeing my tattoos on television.

“Whatever, dear, although I believe Elijah has different ideas.”

Her carefully calculated words pull the world from under my feet. What does she mean?

Is Eli expecting me to come back next year? Has he been planning this? Does he think this is going on beyond our two-week agreement? But how?

My heart hammers and vibrates in my chest.

“Care to elaborate?” I try to keep my voice even.

“Not right now.” She waves her hand at the door and dismisses me.

This woman has such a wonderful way of making me feel like complete shit. How she produced someone as wonderful and kind as Eli I have no idea. I push out of the plush seat and stomp for the door. “So, you haven’t seen Lewis?” I double check.

“No, thank goodness.”

I open my mouth to tell her she’s a bitch of the highest order, but what’s the point? I’d just be wasting hot air.

Back in the hallway, I pull my phone out of my pocket again and call Eli back. “I don’t know where he is. I’m going to search the grounds.”

“I’m coming back; just finishing some urgent files.”