AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You were there.” He shrugged. “I acknowledged you fancied me. It made things easier.” If he had forecast said unwitting, dismissive choice would come to be one of the most painful of his life, he would have faced poverty!
She eyed him with a touch of sadness in her as if she had stabbed him with the sharpest sickle. “How dim-witted of me.” She issued as if the most obvious fact on the planet.
“Bottom line, the moron in the story is me.” He used her unmarried lady’s illusions to his own ends. No wonder she despised him now. “You have become an accomplished woman.” One who would force him to leave as soon as an heir was born. And one who would have a string of willing men to become her paramours. The possibility bled inside him, draining him of clear thoughts.
“Thanks to lessons learned.” She placed one hand over the other in that restrained way of hers.
He hurt her. Once more. She asked a question though. How was he supposed to answer if not with the truth?
“I didn’t mean to upset you.” He said aloud. “But your question required honesty.”
“Doubtlessly.” She answered to the window. “I would expect no less.”
What little remained of the way, they made in silence.
Their carriage advanced through the tree-sided driveway. The Baron of Middleton’s estate did not compare to the Viscount of Strafford in size. Smaller and with fewer resources, the produce of the land resulted enough for a comfortable lifestyle which did not comport lofty luxuries. The manor had been an upkeep originated in medieval times. New constructions joined along the centuries making it a patchwork of architecture.
As they walked in the entrance hall, Aurelia still felt the effects of their conversation on the way. His confession he had not even chosen her for her own qualities left her rather disheartened. During his absence, she wondered what made him decide to marry, and pick her. As of this afternoon, she obtained her answer. Nothing. She had been there; his pressed him to marry. And that was the whole of it. To realised she accepted him for so different reasons. Even if, after these years, she recognised she had been under romantic delusions and learning she had been merely a name on a certificate hurt. She preferred he spoke the truth though not a pleasant one.
Her ramblings got interrupted brusquely by the entrance of her mother. The butler had shown them to the drawing room where they stood at that moment.
“Aurelia!” Her mother, a petite plump lady with elegantly dressed grey hair, approached her and took her hands. “It’s a long time we don’t see each other!”
“How are you, mama?” Aurelia held her hands. She missed her mother, she realised now. She should have come sooner, she owned up, but her life scrambled into a swirl since her husband re-entered his manor.
“Not too bad, I suppose.” Then she turned to Conrad. “Oh, so the wastrel came back!” She needled. “Money was over, I reckon.” She turned full to him.
Unruffled, Conrad bowed. “It is good to see you too, my lady.” He took her hand.
Her mother’s quizzical expression almost comical, were it not for the concern she showed her daughter with her nagging. “He has the nerve!” Lady Middleton hissed.
Aurelia must admit he took said nagging with utter charm, without a shred of impoliteness. As his tall, attractive frame bent to her mother, his aristocratic profile turned to her marvelling, and shook her insides in a way she preferred not to think about, ever.
“How is papa?” She asked to dispel the atmosphere.
Lady Middleton turned to her, a perplexed smile on her graceful wrinkled face. “Doctor Morrison is operating a miracle on your father!” She gestured for them to sit and sat beside her daughter. “I never imagined your father could get any better!” She rang for tea.
“I am happy to hear it, mama.” Her eyes twitched to her husband; he watched her. They exchanged a glance full of mixed meaning. She could not help the gratefulness for his hand in this.
“Oh, you have to see him exercising in the sun, merry as a child!” Lady Middleton joined her hands in awe.
“Speaking of which, mama, I have news.” She looked again at Conrad, his attention still on her.
“Do tell!” The older lady coaxed.
“You are going to be a grand-mother.” She said seriously, but inside joyfulness manifested.
“That is auspicious news, Aurelia!” Her mother rejoiced. Turning suddenly serious, she directed her stare at her son-in-law. “Wasted no time, did you?”
“I would say we were fortunate, my lady.” He answered amenable. Only Aurelia saw the scorching gaze he sent her, making her insides boil.
At the moment, Lord Middleton and Doctor Morrison entered the drawing room. Not much taller than her mother, her father was a kind-hearted person who did not take her mother’s distress too seriously.
“Our Aurelia has finally remembered she has parents!” He teased her as he came to greet her cheerfully.
Aurelia saw he moved with a lot more ease than before his treatment. Almost no limping whereas he could hardly remain standing more than a few minutes before Doctor Morrison intervened.
“Papa! I missed you!” She smiled openly at him. “How are you faring?”
