This was bollocks, pacing the hall and sitting outside her door waiting for Elise to come out of her room so he might catch a moment with her.
Elise was being obstinate. She’d skipped coming down for dinner the past two nights and had, in fact, taken to having all her meals brought up. She even skipped her morning ride once she learned he was in the barn waiting for her. In fact, since Michael had arrived, she’d not come out of her rooms at all.
Which is why he waited in the hallway.
Lady Beverly went in to visit Elise on his behalf, and returned with a message for him. “My lord, she does not wish to see you, and asks that you please go from her home so that she may continue with her life.”
Elise’s words were like a blow to the gut, but he quickly recovered, replying, “Not until I have
