As the day progressed, Rosalind became more listless. She was beginning to realise that she had been clinging to a vain hope; Peter was not coming. The lump in the pit of her stomach increased as the minutes ticked by, the sound of the Grandfather clock in the hallway seeming to mock her every time she heard the tick of another minute passing.
Mrs Adams was also coming to the same conclusion as Rosalind. She was bitterly disappointed in Peter and felt heartily sorry for her part in raising Rosalind’s hopes. The look on Rosalind’s face when she thought Peter would visit had made Mrs Adams feel that she had perhaps made the wrong decision in telling her what she had done. If Rosalind had not been hoping for a visit, it would have been easier to plan her return to her parents’ home. Now, they would both know that she was returning because of Peter’s lack of feeling.
The pair were joined by Miss Latimer for their evening meal. She had already been invited by Mrs Adams, and Rosalind had insisted that she should still visit. The meal was a quiet affair, Rosalind being pre-occupied; Miss Latimer was soon to pick up on the atmosphere: she had become an expert in sensing trouble during her friendship with Lady Joan.
When they retired to the drawing room, Mrs Adams and Miss Latimer played a game of chess while Rosalind pretended to read a book. They all heard the knock at the door, the room seeming to still, while two of the ladies seemed to hold their breath.
They were disturbed by the footman who announced that the Duke of Sudworth had arrived.
“Show him in!” Mrs Adams said relieved.
Rosalind flushed a little with apprehension, butterflies in her stomach starting to dance. She glanced at Mrs Adams, who smiled in encouragement.
Peter entered the room and was faced with three pairs of eyes. One hopeful, one pleased and one curious. He felt the stirrings of amusement when his appearance registered on the faces of the three, and their expressions changed to shock.
Mrs Adams was the first to break the silence. “You look as if you’ve not slept for days, Peter! What is the meaning of this?”
Peter smiled slightly. “I haven’t slept, not since you paid your visit anyway; there was too much to do. May I have a private audience with my wife?”
Mrs Adams immediately stood and indicated that Miss Latimer should do so. “Come, Frances. I shall give you that book that I promised.”
Miss Latimer followed Mrs Adams out of the room without saying a word. She was wise enough to know that there was something going on between the Duke and Duchess that she was not aware of. When Mrs Adams was ready, she might satisfy her curiosity; until then Miss Latimer would wisely hold her counsel.
Rosalind had not taken her eyes off Peter since his entrance. He was a man who always looked perfectly turned out but not this evening. His hair looked wild from too much running his hands through it. There were dark rings under his eyes; he was clearly telling the truth when he said that he had not slept. He was still wearing the clothes he was wearing when she left him the previous day. She was not sure what the interview would bring, but Peter was frowning at her—surely not a good sign.
“You left me. Again,” he started.
Chapter 25
On his way over to Mrs Adams’ house, Peter had practised all sorts of ways that he could start the conversation that needed to occur. He was going to sound in control, to be the person he wanted to be rather than the weaker second brother who had never seemed to be able to step out of his family’s shadow.
He had resisted crossing the room and wrapping Rosalind in an embrace; the look of hope in her eyes had nearly brought him to his knees. What they had to discuss had to be said with care if he was to get the solution he wanted.
He knew all that and yet when he opened his mouth, he accused her of leaving him: not the wisest move, he cursed himself.
Luckily for Peter, Rosalind was not offended by his accusation; it was true after all. “I didn’t know what else to do,” she replied quietly.
“I know,” Peter acceded. “Rosalind, there is much we have to talk about; I’ve been busier today than I ever was when I was trying to sort out the family finances.”
Rosalind sat and prepared herself for goodness knew what. “Go ahead,” she said, bracing herself for the worst. He had not mentioned her condition, so she was not hopeful for the outcome.
Peter sat opposite Rosalind and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I don’t know which part to tell you first,” he started. He took her hands and squeezed them. “I suppose I should start with an apology.”
“What for?” Rosalind asked.
“For being so wrapped up in myself that I didn’t notice so much,” he said gently. “So very much! I hope you can forgive me, but I’d better let you know what has prevented me from coming earlier.”
“Go on.”
“I’ve been going through exactly how much of your father’s money we have spent since we married. By selling the two other properties, we can raise the amount to pay him back and still have enough to support Sudworth Hall for the next few years,” Peter started.
“So Annie will be secure?” Rosalind asked.
Peter smiled and kissed her hands. “Trust you to put Annie’s security above your own. The decision was actually not based on Annie’s needs. I’ve sat down and tried to work out what Sudworth Hall would need financially over the coming years: that would help Roberto and his mother when they took over the boy’s role.”
“They have a legitimate claim?” Rosalind asked.
“It would appear so,” Peter said. “I’ve had a long conversation with the solicitor; he has certainly earned his money recently. The marriage certificate seems genuine. Yes, we are still waiting for confirmation from Italy, but the likelihood is that Isabella de Lucca is really Robert’s wife and, therefore, Roberto is the next Duke. I have the option of standing in place of him until he comes of age as a guardian, but when talking through it with Isabella, she accepted that I didn’t want to do that.”
“Really?” Rosalind asked, a little shocked that the ever amenable Peter would not wish to stay and help.
“Yes. I’ve had enough of putting my life on hold for others; it’s time I did what was best for me for a change. I have already sent enquiries to two farms that are currently for sale. I know of them both, so I will settle on one of them; they are both within a twenty mile drive from Sudworth Hall. I am not going to completely abandon Roberto, but I want some distance between us. The steward is a good man and will guide Isabella and then Roberto as he becomes old enough. I have done what I can: I have made the farms profitable; the house is refurbished, thanks to you; there should be no further issue with money,” Peter explained.
“And if there is?” Rosalind asked.
“Then it is not my problem. I have done as much as I am willing, more than my father and brother were prepared to do, whatever their reasons,” Peter continued. “Some may think my actions selfish, but it is time I started to live my life the way I wanted it. I never sought the title; I won’t be sorry to give it up. I shall be content as a Lord, as I always was.”
“What about Annie? If you are living twenty miles away, she will miss you,” Rosalind asked.
“I’ve spoken to Annie and Mrs Fisher; they are both coming to live on one of the farms with me. The favourite of the two has a small cottage in its grounds. It would be ideal for Annie to live there with Mrs Fisher. She will have a little more independence and hopefully it would help her to be less reliant; I think I have treated her as a young child for too long. She won’t ever be fully independent, but it is about time she is allowed to show us what she is capable of,” Peter responded.
“What did Annie say?” Rosalind was concerned that it would be too much for the young woman.
“She is very excited,” Peter said with some pride at the response his sister had given him when he told her of his plans.
“She wasn’t afraid?” Rosalind queried.
“Not at all. She asked who was to be living with her and, wh
en I told her, she was very excited. In fact Mrs Fisher informed me that she was already planning what furniture she would be able to take with her. They were exploring the attics, looking at some of the furniture that wasn’t sold to your father when you had the clear-out,” Peter said with a laugh.
Rosalind’s stomach flipped at Peter’s laugh. It was the same every time she looked at him and, if he was happy, her stomach would do the same thing. Whenever he smiled or laughed, and it reached his eyes, it lit them unlike anyone else’s that she had known. She always wanted him to laugh more, but he was so burdened that it did not happen as much as she would like.
The reality was, though, that he had never mentioned her in any of his plans. He was determined; he seemed happy, and yet there had been no mention of their life together or that they were going to be parents. Rosalind’s eyes filled with tears. “You seem to have everything planned,” she said, giving him credit for everything that he had achieved.
Peter frowned at Rosalind’s reaction. “There is no need to cry is there? I thought you would be pleased.”
“I am; you seem to have everything sorted out exactly how you want it,” Rosalind responded.
“Not how I want it,” Peter started, standing and crossing to where she sat. He took hold of her hands and lifted her to her feet. “I hope it is how we want things to be.”
“We?” Rosalind asked.
“Yes, we,” Peter squeezed her hands. “Rosalind, I have worked hard all night for us, no one else. I was rightly taken to task by Mrs Adams yesterday. She made me see what I had not been able to; I was being influenced too much by those who should have little impact with how we live our lives. I needed her scolding to make me see what was important.”
Rosalind smiled a little, a tiny part of her feeling hope. “She certainly has a way with her.”
“Doesn’t she?” Peter said with a smile. “It is too late to change things now, but I should have sold the estates when Robert died. I realise now that I could have taken Annie with me, but I was in such a panic, trying to do the right thing for everyone, that I couldn’t see that she only needed the people she feels safe with, not the bricks and mortar.”
“You didn’t need the marriage then,” Rosalind said quietly.
“No, I didn’t,” Peter admitted; he smiled when Rosalind dipped her chin so that she did not have to look at him. He freed one of his hands and gently lifted her face so that she was forced to look at him. “But I am so thankful that I chose the route that I did.”
Rosalind blinked back tears, “Are you?”
“Duchess, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me! You perhaps don’t realise it, but whenever I’m with you, I am a better person. Not perfect, as Mrs Adams would be quick to point out, but with you around, I hope one day to achieve it,” Peter laughed.
“Oh.”
“Oh? Is that all you have to say to me?” Peter laughed teasingly. “Here I am declaring my undying love to you and all you can say is ‘oh’?”
Rosalind’s eyes flew to Peter’s in surprise. “Your undying love?” she almost croaked.
“Yes, my undying love,” Peter said gently, smiling at the shocked expression. “I don’t think I realised just how much I loved you until you took yourself off with Annabelle. I honestly thought that my world had ended, Rosalind. When I tried to think of a life without you, I could hardly catch my breath. When Mrs Adams left yesterday, it was hours before I knew what to do, but from the first moment, I was driven by the need to find a solution that you could be happy with. All I want is for you to be happy.”
“I am happy with you,” Rosalind said quietly.
“Well, you are easier pleased than I would be in your position!” Peter said seriously. “I have behaved abominably towards you. I have made love to you night after night whilst ignoring the fact that during the day I have bemoaned the fact that my brother has had children. As Mrs Adams said, I bedded you but didn’t consider the outcome.”
“Mrs Adams said that?” Rosalind groaned, her cheeks a bright red.
“Yes! That is something I hope never happens again!” Peter said with mock seriousness. “I’ve never been as shocked in my entire life. She was right though; I was so wrapped up in everything that was going on that I hadn’t considered what the result would be. I am sincerely sorry.”
Rosalind’s face dropped, “You are sorry you are to be a father?”
“Oh, Rosalind,” Peter groaned, wrapping her in an all-encompassing embrace. “How could I be sorry? I am delighted.”
Peter felt the moment Rosalind processed the words, because she almost slumped into him with relief. He held her tightly, but gently; he could feel her quiet sobs. Eventually he pulled away from her slightly and took out a handkerchief from his pocket. “Come now, all I seem to be doing is making you cry; I thought you would be happy.”
“I am,” Rosalind smiled. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Peter moved his hand and placed it on Rosalind’s stomach. “When am going to be able to meet our little one?”
“In around five months,” Rosalind replied, her heart swelling with relief, love and happiness.
“Good; we will hopefully be in our new home by then, and Catherine will be able to meet her cousins,” Peter said.
“Catherine? What if it’s a boy?” Rosalind asked with a smile, raising her eyebrow.
“Well in that case, young Henry will be introduced to his cousins, but I warn you, I want lots of little girls running around the place, all looking like my beautiful wife,” Peter said before kissing Rosalind.
It was a few minutes before Rosalind eventually pulled away, “Lots of little girls?” she asked weakly.
“Lots,” replied Peter. “Lots and lots and lots.”
The End
Read on for a sneaky peak at Book 2!
About the Author
I have had the fortune to live a dream. I’ve always wanting to write but, life got in the way as it so often does until a few years ago. Then a change in circumstance enabled me to do what I loved; sitting down to write. Now writing has taken over my life, holidays being based around research, so much so that no matter where we go, my long-suffering husband says ‘And what connection to the Regency period has this building/town/garden got?’
I do appreciate it when readers get in touch, especially if they love the characters as much as I do. Those first few weeks after release is a trying time, I desperately want everyone to love my characters that take months and months of work to bring to life.
If you enjoy the books please would you take the time to write a review on Amazon? Reviews are vital for an author who is just starting out, although I admit to bad ones being crushing. Selfishly I want readers to love my stories!
I can be contacted for any comments you may have, via my website
www.audreyharrison.co.uk
or
www.facebook.com/AudreyHarrisonAuthor
Novels by Audrey Harrison
Regency Romances Other Eras
The Four Sisters’ Series:- A Very Modern Lord
Rosalind – Book 1 Years Apart
Annabelle – Book 2
Grace – Book 3
Eleanor – Book 4
The Inconvenient Trilogy:-
The Inconvenient Ward – Book 1
The Inconvenient Wife – Book 2
The Inconvenient Companion – Book 3
The Complicated Earl
The Unwilling Earl (Novella)
About the Proof Reader
Joan fell in love with words at about 8 months of age and has been using them and correcting them ever since. She's had a 20-year career in U.S. Army public affairs spent mostly writing: speeches for Army generals, safety publications and videos, and has had one awesome book published, (italics, I'm on my kindle and can't get there) Every Day a New Adventure: Caregivers Look at Alzheimer's Disease, a really riveting and compelling look at five patients, including her own mother. It is available through Pub
lishamerica.com. She also edits books because she loves correcting other people's use of language. What's to say? She's good at it. She lives in a small town near Atlanta, Georgia in the American South with one long-haired cat to whom she is allergic and her grandson to whom she is not. If you need her, you may reach her at [email protected].
A Preview of the second book in the series - Annabelle
Prologue – Lancashire 1819
Annabelle could not understand why she seemed to suffer more than others from the heat in a ballroom. Her fan seemed to almost wear itself out in an attempt to cool her down. She shook her head at herself; this was only a regional ball, nothing compared to the size of the ones held in London if the accounts were anything to go by. It was the intention for her to spend some time in London enjoying the sights and the entertainments, but she was not sure she would be able to cope without expiring completely.
This ball was being held in her honour by her elder sister, the Duchess of Sudworth. Annabelle had felt a little overawed at being introduced to the locality, but it would potentially make her acceptance into London society easier. She was under no illusion: acceptance into any society was to be handled carefully; she, along with her three sisters were daughters of a ‘cit’, a man making his fortune in the City.
For some reason, since his girls were small her father had wanted all of his daughter’s to marry a titled man. The man in question was less important to her father than the title. But then recently he had changed his mind. He had always wanted a son to take over his business interests, but four daughters had been born instead. When her eldest sister had married the Duke of Sudworth and left the family home, a gentleman had been introduced to the family: a Mr Wadeson. He was to be the man who was to continue the family business, and Mr Johnson, Annabelle’s father had announced that Mr Wadeson could have his choice of the remaining three unmarried daughters as his wife.
Only Annabelle and Grace had been at home at that time, and Mr Wadeson had announced that he would wait to meet the youngest, Eleanor, before he made his decision. Unfortunately for Annabelle, he had shown his true self in a way from which she was struggling to recover —an incident that remained a secret from the others in her family. For the first time in her life Annabelle had felt the reality of living with parents who put their own interests above those of their children. She had felt alone and terrified, unable to confide in anyone, even her sisters.
Rosalind: A Regency Romance (The Four Sisters Series Book 1) Page 21
