The rest of the day went by slowly, but it paased. On the day following her and Olivia's arguement the doctor permitted Amelia to finally leave her room for short walks through the manor. Though her body was still exhausted and even the smallest of efforts left her winded she was happy to finally get away from the stuffy, sickly air that lingered in her chamber.
Olivia who'd continued to serve her as usual even came with her on her walks, but the air between them was tense and they did not speak much aside from exchanging common pleasantries. The knot in Amelias stomach that made itself particularly known whenever she saw the maid's detached expression was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
That's why she decided to go alone when the doctor finally permitted her to go outside almost a week after the night of the banquet. Bundled up in layers of wool and flannel undergarments with velvet on top and the thickest jacket one could possibly find Amelia stepped onto the path in the back garden. The air was crisp and the snow light like powder. Though the fridgid air hurt her lungs she couldn't do else but inhale it deeply.
While she strolled she wondered what the garden would look like in the spring. The leaves had already fallen off the trees when she came here and now the ground was entirely covered with white mounds of snow. She could only imagine that it'd look beautiful with green vegetations and rows of flowers lining the cobblestone paths.
It was a melancholy thought. Although spring was likely only a few months away it seemed like an eternity in that moment as she gazed across the silent winter landscape.
Would she still be here when spring came?
She remained outside unbothered by the cold up until the moment her cheeks started to burn. That's when she decided to return to her bed, only now realising how tired she'd gotten. But before she'd even made it halfway back a young male servant came to meet her in the garden.
She vaguely recognized the boy from the celebration but couldn't remember his name. He seemed nervous to be talking to her, stuttering slightly as he relayed the message that Gordon had asked to see her.
As the young man spoke Amelias eyes drifted to his breast pocket. If the marquis' person was to approach her, now would be the time. Contrary to her expectations though, she didn't as much as catch a gimpse of any handkershief while the young servant accompanied her to the butler's office. Although he was fidgety he did his job dutifully and he greeted her goodbye with a small bow the moment they reached the office.
Amelia felt ashemed by her suspicions. The boy was only nervous, there was nothing more to it. Yet it was difficult to shake the paranoia as she knocked on Gordon's door.
Like usual his desk was completely filled with binders and documents and the poor man looked stressed. He quickly rid himself of his frown as she entered though, smiling kindly to her.
"Miss Ainsworth, I not expect you to get here so soon. Did you enjoy your walk?"
"I did, very much so. Nothing beats the taste of fresh air after being stuck inside for so many days."
"That is true indeed. I hope I didn't disturb your time of leisure?"
"You did not, in fact I was just on my way back in. Is there anything you'd like me to help with" she asked, and the butler shook his head.
"No. You still need rest, it is the doctor's orders."
"How come you wanted to see me?"
The old man sighed.
"You should sit down" he said, nodding at her usual chair by his desk.
Though Amelia was confused she didn't question him. She hanged her jacket on the chair's back and took a seat.
"I wanted to show you this sooner, but with your illness it was not a good time to do so."
The butler opened the top desk drawer and pulled out a letter that he slid across the table towards her.
"You should read it yourself. But before you do I want to assure you that it is nothing to be worried about."
Amelia held his eyes for a moment, trying to read his expression. Despite telling her not to worry, he himself looked concerned.
The knot in her stomach twisted tighter as she opened the envelope.
"Gordon.
The issue by the border is worse than we had first suspected. I do not know when we will return home. Continue taking care of the estate in my stead. Look after Amelia.
Regards,
Dario."
A short and to the point message with messy handwriting, undeniably written by Dario. Amelia gripped the paper with a sudden feeling of emptiness in her chest.
"Is this all that it said" she asked the butler with a blank expression.
"I am afraid so. I'm sure his Grace would've written more if he had the time" he answered and reached across the desk to place a reassuring hand on hers.
"He will be fine. This isn't the first time that this kind of thing has happened and it will not be the last."
She only nodded, not comforted by his words in the slightest.
"How long has he usually been gone for in the past" she asked flatly.
"Well, that is difficult to say. Usually he returns within three weeks, once he was gone for six."
"Six weeks..." she muttered and chewed on her thumb.
"If something was to happen while the Lord is gone, what authorities do you have to handle it?"
Gordon seemed taken aback by her question.
"May I ask what this 'something' you are reffering to is?"
She clenched her jaw as she contemplated how to best respond.
"Something that could threaten his Grace's standing..."
Gordon paused.
"What do you..."
"It is only hypothetical" Amelia added in an attempt to smooth over the unintended heaviness of her statement.
"I am simply wondering what authorities you have during the Lord's absence."
The butler adjusted his glasses to compose himself. He cleared his throat.
"I can only handle the daily affairs. Any more than that and the king would need to appoint a proxy."
"Who could be given such a role?"
"I cannot say. It would likely someone who is trusted by his majesty."
Amelia nodded absentmindedly and bit down on her thumb.
"So not a person of Dario's choosing" she murmured, more to herself than to Gordon.
The butler frowned and leaned towards her over the table with a serious expression on his face.
"Miss Ainsworth. If you know of something that could harm his Grace you must tell me."
Amelia stiffened. The movement was so slight it was barely noticable. But Gordon seemed to have noticed.
She tried to hide her blunder with a polite smile.
"I am sorry, my questions must have worried you. I assure you, it was only hypothetical. I have been so worried about his Lordship that my mind has taken me in unpleasant directions."
She could tell that the butler did not believe her. Uneager to stay for the inevitable questioning that was sure to follow she quickly stood up and grabbed her jacket.
"I am tired so I must go and rest now. Please call for me if you ever need any assistance. It is truly not a bother, I enjoy keeping myself occupied"
"Miss Ainsworth" Gordon called for her as she turned her back to him but Amelia pretended not to hear him. She swiftly closed the door behind her, then leaned against it and let out a frustrated groan.
"Damn it" she cursed under her breath and rubbed her forehead with sweaty hands.
She'd been careless. She hadn't been thinking straight and may have made things worse.
Perhaps the best thing to do would truly be to report what she knew to Gordon. But who was to say that the proxy would truly be someone trustworthy?
Suddenly she felt hot, uncomfortably so. She impatiently tugged at her collar and hurried in the direction towards her chamber, eager to get the suffocatingly warm clothes off of her. In her haste she did not see the maid who came around a corner from the opposite direction and they ended up running into each other at full speed. Amelias shoulder hit the wall hard which, while it hurt, kept her on her feet. The girl in front of her didn't have such luck. She fell forward onto her knees and the contents of the laundrybasked she'd carried spilled out all across the floor.
"I- I am so sorry" Amelia gasped and bent down to help the maid, but the girl gestured for her to stop.
"It is alright, the fault is with me. I wasn't paying enough attention" she groaned.
Though it was clear that the maid was in pain she swiftly brushed off her palms and started gathering the scattered laundry.
"You must be hurt, at least let me help you back with the basket" Amelia insisted but the girl snapped at her.
"I said I'm fine."
She quickly got back up and straightened out her skirt, avoiding Amelias eyes. She only gave a curt nod and a murmered 'good day' before continuing on her way.
Confused Amelia followed the girl with her eyes. That is when she noticed it. On the floor a single piece of blue fabric remained.