Douglas was drunk. He was trying for oblivion but unconsciousness continued to elude him. After Sabrina had left, he'd ordered Martin and Jared from the room and locked himself in his library.
That first night they'd come to check on him, periodically trying the door and encouraging him to eat. The second night they took to banging on the door, refusing to cease until he confirmed that he was, unfortunately, still very much alive. After the third night Jared picked the lock and let himself in.
"My lord?" Jared slipped inside the library, closing the door behind him. He and Martin had agreed that of the two of them Jared was better prepared to deal with Douglas in his current state. One look at his long time friend and employer and Jared had to admit that they'd been wrong. He'd never seen Douglas like this before.
Douglas sat in front of a cold fire. Still wearing the same clothes, he had three days growth along his chin and his hair had come loose of its tie.
"Get out," Douglas said quietly and drained his glass. He had long since finished off the brandy; not wanting to see anyone or risk opening the door he'd moved on to the whiskey and eventually the scotch. Nasty stuff scotch but it got the job done.
Jared stopped and stood staring down at Douglas. "Sir."
"Leave it be, Jared." Douglas said, sounding surprisingly sober. "Leave me be."
"I can't," Jared said. Carefully taking the empty glass from Douglas he set it aside. "It's been three days since you last ate. Let the cook prepare you a light supper while we get you cleaned up."
Douglas resisted Jared's attempts at getting him out of the chair. "She's gone."
"She'll be back," Jared insisted.
"You didn't see her face when she left." Douglas said; the memory of Sabrina's empty eyes as she left would haunt him forever.
Jared didn't bother correcting Douglas. He had in fact watched as Lady Radcliff left, pale but for the handprint on the left side of her face.
"I slapped her," Douglas muttered. "I've never stuck a woman before in my life and I decide to start with my wife."
"You both said and did things you didn't mean," Jared said once again urging Douglas to stand.
Douglas, too tired to fight, allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. Swaying slightly, he said, "She hates me. She hates me for what I did to her but more then that I think she hates me for not telling her. Why didn't I tell her?" Douglas asked, not expecting an answer.
"You were afraid of losing her," Jared answered.
"I lost her anyways," Douglas said allowing himself to be led from the room.
Jared caught Martin's eye as he led Douglas upstairs and shook his head. Douglas was in no shape to eat. For now, they'd get him to bed and worry about food in the morning.
Still mumbling, Douglas collapsed onto the bed as Jared worked to remove his clothes. Too big to move, Jared settled for covering Douglas with an extra blanket before blowing out the candles and leaving the man to sleep.
Sabrina spent two days in a haze before deciding what to do. She couldn't return to Arlington Park and she didn't want to see her family. She had no idea how she would explain her sudden arrival and wasn't sure she was ready to face her father.
She was numb, having retreated to some distant place in her mind where there was nothing, no light, no darkness and no pain. Finally, with nowhere left to go, Sabrina had Tilly make arrangement for them to travel to Heritage Hills where Ellie would be summering with her family.
Ellie passed through the bright foyer on her way to the gardens, stopping short as the footman closed the door. "Sabrina? What are you doing here?"
Sabrina's answer was cut short as three young ladies came laughing into the hall. All three stopped short and gave Sabrina a deep curtsy. Sabrina, completely unable to deal, looked helplessly from the young women to her longtime friend. Suddenly, understanding dawned. "Oh Ellie, your mother's house party! I completely forgot; I'm so sorry! I should go."
"Sabrina? Wait!" Ellie cried in alarm. Reaching out she grabbed her friend's hand, keeping her from leaving. Turning to the other young ladies, she said, "Why don't you join the others in the garden for games and refreshments."
Ellie waited until the three ladies disappeared out the back door before turning and pulling Sabrina in to the library. Closing the door behind her she stared down at where Sabrina sat collapsed on the couch. She'd only ever seen that look on her friend's face once before. "What happened?"
"It was Douglas," Sabrina said softly, having come to accept the truth.
"What was Douglas? Is Lord Radcliff alright?" Ellie asked, concern evident in her voice.
"That night, the abduction, the rape - all of it - it was Douglas." Sabrina shrugged, a sense of inevitability settling around her shoulders.
"Douglas? He...but, why?" Ellie asked, disbelief evident in her voice.
"Revenge," Sabrina said. "For something my father did to his mother, I didn't stay long enough to ask for all the details."
Ellie sat down on the couch next to Sabrina. "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know. For now, I was hoping I could stay with you. I know that you're busy with plans for your wedding." Ellie was to be married at the end of the summer. "But I can't go back to Douglas and I won't go to my family."
"Of course you can stay," Ellie said. "Unfortunately, we're fairly full with the house party. I'll have your stuff brought up to one of the remaining guest rooms. It's small but once the guests are gone I'll have you moved to a larger suite."
"Wherever is fine," Sabrina said, rubbing her temples. "I just need a place to rest, to think and figure out what I'm going to do."
"Of course," Ellie said and rang for a maid. "Why don't you come outside and join the party?"
"I'm not much in the mood for games," Sabrina said, smiling apologetically.
"No, I wouldn't think so but come and sit outside," Ellie urged. "It's a beautiful day out and you look like you could use some sun."
Sabrina knew she was pale but it wasn't from lack of sun. Still, she'd spent the past three days holed up in her rooms, some time outside would do her some good. "Alright."
"Good," Ellie said. Standing, she shook out her skirts and led Sabrina from the library.
Outside in the gardens several young lords and ladies had paired up and were engaged in a variety of games. A large assortment of light foods and drinks were set up to allow the guests to refresh themselves at their leisure. Dinner would be served late, during the night's ball, and the late afternoon luncheon would see them all through until then.
Sabrina greeted Ellie's mother the Countess and several other guests all of whom she knew from her time in London. She had no doubt that her appearance would cause speculation - especially once it became obvious that Douglas would not be joining her.
Marcus Edington dropped from the saddle, a nod of thanks to the stable lad that stepped forward and took his horse. "Make sure you cool him down before you stable him for the night."
"Yes, my lord," the lad said and hurried off.
