Page 64 of Redemption

“I have not agreed to marry you, my lord,” Beatrice snapped.

“Do you intend to reject me?” Lord Foxworth narrowed his gaze at Beatrice as she opened her mouth to respond. “I suggest you think twice before answering that question, my love.”

For a moment Rhea’s aunt stared at Foxworth before she shook her head and a reluctant smile curved her mouth.

“No, I’ll not refuse you.”

Her soft response made Foxworth catch Beatrice’s hand and carry it to his mouth to kiss it with restrained passion. The display of adoration made Rhea envious. If Percy were to openly demonstrate such a deep affection for her—she quickly dismissed the thought. Cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and happiness, Beatrice looked at her niece. Rhea’s heart swelled at the joy reflected in her aunt’s face. Hurrying forward, she kissed her aunt’s cheek.

“I cannot be happier for you, Aunt Beatrice,” she exclaimed then turned to face the man at her aunt’s side.

“My congratulations, my lord.”

“It would please me greatly if you called me uncle, my dear.” The distinguished gentleman sent her a charming smile. “You and your sister are both dear to Beatrice’s heart. Whatever Beatrice treasures, so do I.”

The sincerity in Lord Foxworth’s voice made Rhea smile at him warmly.

“I should be pleased to do so, my–” Rhea stopped as Lord Foxworth raised his eyebrows, and she laughed. “Uncle Lionel.”

The man immediately stepped forward to kiss Rhea’s cheek. Caught off guard, Rhea flinched. Although she knew the gentleman’s gesture was merely congenial, it still made her uncomfortable. She retreated a small distance from the couple, and her gaze met her aunt’s. Concern crossed Beatrice’s face, but Rhea stopped her from questioning her as she smiled at the couple.

“If you’ll forgive me, I must change as I have an evening engagement.”

The concern on her aunt’s face became a worried frown, and Rhea directed a warning look at the older woman. Beatrice was well aware of Rhea’s destination this evening. While her aunt expressed a deep concern about her niece’s actions, she’d not made any attempt to stop her. Lord Foxworth on the other hand might provide the support Beatrice needed to persuade Rhea to remain at home. With obvious reluctance, her aunt gave way to Rhea’s silent warning not to question her actions. The resignation on her face was quickly replaced with concern once more.

“Perhaps you might look in on Arianna, dearest,” Beatrice said. “I’m quite worried about her.”

“Of course,” Rhea said as she kissed her aunt’s cheek once again. With another smile at the couple she left the salon. Delighted at her aunt’s happy news, Rhea’s weariness ebbed away. She’d come to love her aunt dearly in the short time since Beatrice had found her and Arianna. When Rhea reached the top of the stairs she moved along the corridor toward the nursery. Entering the small room, she saw Arianna playfully blowing against Lucy’s hand as the child reached up to touch her mother’s face. Giggling, Lucy laughed harder every time Arianna blew against the child’s hand. A smile curving her mouth, Rhea walk toward the two, and her sister looked up at Rhea then smiled at Lucy.

“Look who’s here, my darling. Auntie Rhea has come to visit.” At her sister’s remark, Rhea planted a quick kiss on the child’s cheek then touched Arianna’s shoulder.

“Have you received any word from Blake?” The question made her sister pale, and Rhea immediately regretted asking about her brother-in-law. “He’ll come, Arianna. He loves you.”

“So Aunt Beatrice says as well.”

“It’s the truth,” Rhea said firmly. Silently she vowed to go to Sherrington House herself if her brother-in-law didn’t visit his wife soon. The man needed to understand how wonderful and generous his wife truly was. “He won’t be able to stay away.”

Arianna’s expression illustrated she wasn’t as confident as her aunt or sister. She turned her attention back to her daughter and smiled as the child beamed up at her. Without looking at Rhea, her sister sighed softly.

“Do you still plan to bring Peter and Fanny home with you this evening?”

“Yes. Although Mr. Ashford said there is no guarantee Fanny will be with Peter, but I’m hopeful.”

“Please promise me you’ll be careful Rhea,” Arianna said quietly as she looked up at her.

“If Ruckley were to–”

“I promise you, I’ll not do anything rash. I have no desire to face Ruckley again.” The response seemed to reassure her sister, and with a small tickle of her niece’s chin, Rhea left the nursery.