*Jayne*
I borrow one of the books from Barkley’s library and retreat to my bedchamber. Reclining on the longue near a window, I read for a while.
Five minutes to be exact. I rise, walk to the secretary, and sit to pen a letter to Seafort, to let him know I am well. After dipping my pen in the inkwell, I determine that this is an awful idea and will no doubt plague him with the reminder that his wife is with another man.
I walk to the window, lean on the sill, and gaze out for a full two minutes. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see Barkley wandering away from the house. He does love his outdoors. I am surprised by the joy that ripples through me at the sight of him, then decide it is nothing more than a response to being bored. He serves as a distraction.
I open the window and lea
