Ch 69

Ch 69
Breakfast the next day was more tiring than Eden had imagined. 
Ian behaved with impeccable courtesy.
 He smiled at her, spoke to her politely, and when Eden sent the servants away so she could talk to him about what had happened the day before, Ian simply shook his head.
“Let's not talk about it anymore, Eden. We've got to put it behind us. Your nerves were on edge after a few days at the reception.”
Eden wanted to apologize, to explain why she had lost control of herself. 
If Ian pretended that nothing had happened, would she be obliged to leave for London and let this unspoken issue hang over them forever?
There was a knock at the door, and Jackson entered. 
Behind him, several men in working clothes could be seen gathered in the corridor.
“Lord and Milady will excuse me," he began, "the rains have caused the river to burst its banks. Turner sends word to the lord that he fears the mill dam may break.”
“I'll be off then”
Ian put down his napkin, stood up and walked into the corridor. 
Eden heard him give orders as he closed the door behind him.
“Jackson, saddle a horse for me. Jem, gather all available men from the castle, with shovels and picks. Arrange for a cart.”
Eden took her turn in the corridor, trying to put on a friendly, confident face. 
But her acting skills didn't fool the butler, to whom nothing that happened in the castle escaped.
“Have no fear, milady," the butler whispered. Milord Ian is a man to deal with the situation. He'll be back in good spirits, I'm sure. I, for one, have often observed that a few hours' hard work makes us see things differently, and forget our mood swings.”
Our mood swings, really.
That must have been how a butler from a good house described the pounding on doors and bitter words. 
Were we allowed to talk about mood swings, too, when it came to the lord’s omega?
“If Milady will permit," Jackson continued, "milord Ian isn't exactly accustomed to this kind of excess. The late lord, his father, was far more so, and it took all the gentleness and fortitude of our poor mistress to bring him to his senses.”
As if fearing he'd said too much, the butler turned on his heel and disappeared in an instant. 
Eden took the stairs back to her room. 
Everything was ready for her departure, and thanks to this unexpected event, she didn't even need to tell Ian.
Eden wrote a few words, placed the bill prominently on the mantelpiece, put on her warmest pelisse, fur cap and gloves, then went to join Mary, who was dressing Amara.
“Let's go," Eden said.
She grabbed two suitcases.
“Milord had to leave with most of the servants because the river overflowed," Eden explained. 
We'll have to fend for ourselves.
The nanny followed her, the baby in her arms and a travel bag slung over her shoulder. 
Eden had explained that an urgent family business called her to London, and that Milord would join her as soon as possible.
Eden repeated this tale in the stable: Wilkins, the groom on duty that day, would never have dared contradict the master's omega anyway. 
The sedan was hitched up and the luggage was stowed in the back, with the exception of what was needed for the baby. 
One of the footmen sat on top. With a satisfied yelp, Toby too jumped into the car. 
Eden took him in her lap and scratched his head behind the ear as the carriage moved off.
Eden knew she'd be back, but right now she had to get away from Ian as quickly as possible.
 If Eden cried out her love for him, it could tear them apart for good. 
Besides, she had to find her sisters.