Behind the Mask (44 page)

“Now, sister,” Salina scolded, “you should not say such things. Georg has told us many times that it takes longer for the snow to melt in the mountains. I just know she’s still alive somewhere, and one day she’ll come walking in here and say,
Here I am
. I just know it!”

“They have this conversation at least six times a day,” Elsa whispered in Abbi’s ear, and she had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing.

“Go on,” Georg insisted, “do it now. The timing couldn’t be better.”

Abbi stood up tall and walked into the drawing room with Georg and Elsa hovering in the doorway. “Here I am!” she announced.

Both ladies gaped at her with such surprise that neither could speak. Ramona glanced at her sister as if she were some kind of prophet, then she said at last, “I thought you were dead.”

“I knew she wasn’t dead.” Salina came to her feet and hugged Abbi jubilantly and then leaned back and squinted to be sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her.

Ramona rose and hugged her in turn, genuinely happy to see her. “Come and sit down, child,” she said. “You must tell us immediately where you’ve been all this time. Come and sit down.”

“Yes, tell us,” Georg said. Abbi moved to the sofa where her aunts sat on either side of her, each holding one of her hands too tightly.

“Do tell us, Abbi,” Salina said impatiently. “I just can’t bear it any longer.”

Abbi had given her explanation a great deal of thought last night while Cameron had slept near her. She couldn’t recall ever lying before in her life; it wasn’t in her nature. But to protect Cameron she’d do almost anything. She’d decided to make the story good and leave no room for suspicion—just in case, as he’d said, she was questioned by the Guard. Gathering what little she knew about the kind of people who lived in the mountains, she had made up a story that would sound completely legitimate.

“You see,” Abbi began, “when Blaze broke out of the stable on the night of the storm, I followed him on the mare. But when I got up high on the mountain, the horrible wind made me fall. It startled the mare and she ran off.”

“I assumed that much,” Georg inserted, “with the broken stall and the mare coming back alone.”

“I hurt my ankle rather badly,” Abbi went on, “and the storm was so horrible. For a while I truly feared I was going to die. But someone found me and took care of me all winter.”

“Who on earth would have found you in such a place?” Ramona asked skeptically. “Who on earth?”

“It was a man,” Abbi began, noting that Georg became especially alert, “who lives on the mountain . . . with his mother and his little brothers.”

Georg smirked while Elsa seemed completely enthralled by the story.

“Didn’t I tell you, sister,” Salina said smugly, “that there really were people living up there?”

“More than you’d realize,” Georg added, and Abbi appreciated his support of her story.

“Were they good to you?” Salina asked.

“Yes, they were,” Abbi continued. “They were a quiet people. Not really very friendly. But they set my ankle which had been dislocated, and it healed just fine. They fed me and the woman loaned me clothes to wear.” Georg seemed mildly amused. “It wasn’t what I’d call an enjoyable winter, but I survived it and I’m glad to be home.”

Abbi smiled and Salina patted her hand. “It’s certainly good to have you back,” she said with pleasure and hugged Abbi tightly.

“What were these people’s names?” Ramona asked.

“I didn’t ever find out the family name. They were rather close-lipped, you see, but the man’s name was Hans, and the woman’s name was—”

“Oh that doesn’t matter,” Georg interrupted. “You’re here now, and we’re grateful. The rest is in the past.”

“Certainly you must reimburse them for their efforts,” Ramona stated. “Certainly.”

“Absolutely not!” Abbi said, proud of herself for giving such a quick response. “They were poor people, but very proud, and they would be terribly insulted. Besides,” she added, “I earned my keep. I worked hard as soon as my ankle allowed me to get around. I doubt I could find my way back there, even if I tried.”

Georg smiled at her and she thought how much she had missed him.

“There’s really not much more to tell,” Abbi said, “and I’m feeling rather tired.”

“Yes, of course dear.” Salina patted her hand. “You’ve had quite an ordeal. Run along to bed, and perhaps you should take it easy for a time until you can readjust.”

“There’s no need for that,” Abbi said. “I feel fine . . . just a little tired.”

“It wouldn’t hurt,” Ramona said blandly. “We don’t want you getting ill on us. We’ll have some dinner sent to your room. No, it wouldn’t hurt a bit for you to rest.”

“I’m fine,” Abbi chuckled as she kissed each of her aunts on the cheek.
Silly ladies.
Walking toward the door she turned back. “It is good to be home.” They all agreed, and Georg and Elsa followed her into the hallway.

“This place isn’t much without you,” he said.

“Amen to that,” Elsa said, leaning against Georg’s shoulder.

“It’s good to know I was missed.” Abbi laughed lightly and started up the stairs, thinking how strangely familiar the house felt. She had an urge to find her grandfather and talk to him, and it took a moment to recall that he wasn’t there.

Moving nostalgically about her room, Abbi noticed it had been kept up well and nothing had changed—except her. She felt out of place, accustomed to sharing everything with Cameron. She missed him terribly and wondered how long it would be before she would see him again.

Consumed with nostalgic thoughts, Abbi undressed for bed, surprised to see the drawing of Cameron fall to the floor as she removed her camisole. Her heart quickened as she picked up the paper and unfolded it. She sighed as looking at his likeness brought memories closer. Fearing Elsa would arrive any minute with her dinner, Abbi tucked the picture inside a book and set it on the bedside table.

Dressing for bed, she thought how good it felt to wear a pretty nightgown again, and to see the dresses hanging in her closet that were much more suited to her taste than Gwendolyn’s clothes. She stepped onto the balcony for a moment, gazing toward the mountain with a spring breeze against her face. She wondered if Cameron felt the same breeze, and perhaps too, the same ache. She knew he did, and the thought made her feel closer to him.

Chapter Thirteen

FROM A DISTANCE

A
bbi woke late and went straight to the stable as soon as she’d eaten and checked with Mr. Logen. She was pleased to discover that the estate was in good order, and she commended him for handling things well in her absence. The servants were all glad to see Abbi again, but Elsa especially was beside herself with delight. Abbi told her it would be nice to have her around again, and how she’d missed having her help with all the little things. A related memory flooded into Abbi’s mind, but she could hardly say or do anything without being reminded of Cameron.

She rode Blaze about town and through the foothills, reacquainting herself with places she’d been accustomed to. Noting the immensity of the castle, she recalled how small it had looked from the high mountain ridge. She felt glad to have escaped Nikolaus when she had, and hoped he would not find his way back into her life. Remembering the things Cameron had said about him, a chill rushed over her shoulders. She forced such thoughts away, praying that her husband would remain safe regardless of Nikolaus du Woernig.

Abbi arrived home wondering about Lance and what had become of him. Late afternoon, Elsa came to tell her that the captain was waiting in the drawing room. Recalling Cameron’s admonitions concerning Lance, she put herself in the proper frame of mind and went down to see him, hoping their visit would not prove to be too miserable. Her first glance at him took her breath away. He was more handsome than she’d remembered, and seeing his uniform made it easy to imagine Cameron wearing the same; the thought was stirring. Then she considered the possibility that if Cameron returned to the position in the military that he’d left behind, he would likely be working for Lance—provided that he could prove his innocence. Of course, with their marriage, all that belonged to her would automatically become Cameron’s, and his pursuit of a career would be his choice rather than necessity. Recalling his expression when he’d tried on the coat of his uniform, she felt sure that it
did
have significance for him beyond the means to provide a living. Past that she knew nothing about Cameron’s career, but such things were surely irrelevant to the relationship they shared.

“Hello,” she called from the open doorway, focusing her thoughts on Lance.

Lance turned to look at her, and she had to laugh at his incredulous expression. “It’s true,” he said with more fervency than she had believed he possessed. He walked toward her, laughing in disbelief. “It’s really true. You
are
here.” He engulfed her in an embrace of steel, while Abbi did her best to return it. “I just couldn’t believe it when they told me,” he said, pulling back to look into her face. “But you’re real; you’re alive. Oh, Abbi!” He hugged her again while Abbi touched the fabric of his coat, thinking again of Cameron.

“Are you well?” he asked, finally stepping back.

“Yes, thank you. I’m very well.” She motioned him toward the sofa, and he sat close enough to hold her hand.

“Tell me . . . everything,” he said.

“There really isn’t much to tell,” she insisted, forcing herself to relax as she recalled Cameron’s words.
Behave with him as if you have nothing to hide, and nothing to fear
. She recounted the same story she had told her aunts, adding a few details about milking cows, gathering eggs, cooking and cleaning.

“You don’t look any worse for wear,” he said with a smile. “Although I daresay you’ve changed.” He pressed her hand to his lips. “You seem . . . more grown up, perhaps.”

Abbi glanced down. “As I said, I’m doing well. It’s good to be home, however.”

“It’s certainly good to have you home,” he insisted. “Forgive me if I’m being too bold, Abbi, but I truly missed you.” He laughed again. “I just can’t believe it. I really thought you were dead. It’s a miracle.”

“Yes,” she agreed, “I believe it is.” Following a brief silence, she asked, “How are Magda and Lena? Do you see them?”

“Rarely, I’m afraid. I understand they’re doing well. His Grace is as usual.”

“Oh, I don’t want to hear about him,” she said and they both laughed.

“Tell me what you’ve been doing,” she said, again hearing Cameron’s words in her mind.
Keep him distracted
.

“Naturally my duties keep me busy,” Lance said. “I’ve done little else of interest.”

Abbi couldn’t help respecting him as a captain, but she was grateful to have found more intriguing husband material. They chatted casually for a while longer before he stood and announced, “I should be going. Duties, you know.”

“It’s good to see you again, Lance,” she said, glad to note that she really meant it.

“And you,” Lance said. “I’ve been invited to dine here this evening. I’ll see you then.”

Abbi nodded and he left. She went upstairs, wondering if missing Cameron would ever get easier, or if it would only worsen by the hour as it had so far.

The passing of three weeks did little to convince Abbi that she could live without Cameron. Accustomed to keeping busy around the lodge and with the animals, she felt lost and without purpose. Often unmotivated, she spent the majority of her time, when she wasn’t riding, sitting around and thinking about Cameron. She was grateful to recall the sketchbook she’d been using last fall. She found it right where she’d left it, beneath her bed. And she cried as she looked through the pictures she’d drawn, recalling the feelings behind them—especially the one of Cameron, looking much different than he had become to her now. Oh, if only she had known then the significance of these images she had put to paper!

Unambitious and frequently tired, Abbi spent a great deal of time lying down. Gradually she even lost her enthusiasm for riding, since she couldn’t help thinking how easy it would be to ride up the mountain and into his arms. But the risks were too great. She couldn’t take the chance that the one time she’d do it, someone might follow her and discover Cameron’s secret. So Abbi stayed home and moped. Her aunts and Elsa expressed concern for her, and Ramona asked every day if she was ill.