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Rose laughed.“Is that what you are?"
“Am I forgiven?”he asked.
“Not in the least.I will require more groveling and begging, which you can do tonight after dinner.”
“Be careful, Your Grace.When I’m on my knees, you are usually the one begging.”
* * * * *
The road to Dover wasscenic and they only had to change horses once.They both stared out the window at the landscape and talked of small things.Being ensconced in a carriage was a fearful way to discover another person.One might reveal something in the silence they thought hidden.Feelings that were growing.Trust that was developing along with a building foundation.
Was forgiveness given too quickly appreciated as much as forgiveness earned?Rose was fully prepared to engage in acts which demonstrated her mercy, but sometimes one couldn’t show forgiveness even though they were inclined.Another half day wouldn’t kill Mr.Hardy.
It might kill her.
The townhouse was typical of row homes in Dover.Rose wasn’t sure what to expect given Matthew’s statements about his mother and their life.That she was a countess was diametrically opposed to his life as a street urchin, scrapper and keen tradesman.
And she knew of the Albourne title but couldn’t place a time when she had met the earl.Now this would have been an excellent story for theDaily Informer.Oh, how could she be so snobby to think such a thing?Things that she had often thought when her life had been engulfed by Sandhurst and her life as the reigning duchess?She wasn’t so superior now—she must be less judgmental.
“Is that your mother?”The woman was dressed in, well, an ornate gown with feathers in her hair.
“Yes.”He sighed.“My mother is exactly what you think she might be.Along with her lack of fashion sense.”
“She looks darling.”What else could she say that wouldn’t embarrass Matthew’s mother or make Rose look like a society elitist?
“Shall we?”Matthew said.
He jumped from the carriage, lifted Rose and set her feet to ground.His mother hurried down the stone steps; the earl moved a bit slower.
“Oh, Dukey, I’m so glad you are here.And who is this lovely woman?”
“My—"
“Your wife!Why, she looks young enough to be—”
“My wife,” Matthew emphasized.
“May I call you Rose?”She patted Rose’s hand.“You may call me Jezzy.My real name is Jezebel.Did Matthew tell you?”
“He did,” Rose said.
“It meansimpure,” she whispered, then winked.“The men love it when I tell them that.Even the earl.It was my entrée into his world.”Matthew’s mother was jiggly and warm and friendly and charming.“Where are the children?”she asked.
Ava and Elaina still stood beside their carriage with Tilly keeping her flock immobile until they were called.
“Darlings!Come and meet Mr.Hardy’s mother,” Rose said.
Jezzy threw her hands wide.Rose saw the earl approach Matthew and shake his hand.Jezzy squeezed the girls together.They kept their hands at their sides and their eyes bulged.
“Oh, I am the happiest woman in England right now.Grandchildren!Matthew, how very clever you are to marry a woman with children.I don’t have to wait another day to be the grandmother I want to be.”She cupped beneath their chins and made them look up.“I will take you shopping tomorrow, and we will buy you a carriage full of toys and hats and whatever else it is you want.Oh, they are so beautiful.Matthew, aren’t they just the loveliest children you’ve ever seen?”
“Indeed.”
“Come inside.As soon as you have refreshed yourself, we will have tea and small foods.Even the children.Do they sing?Or play the piano?Or paint?”
“They are learning, Mother.I’m sure the next time you see them they will be accomplished pianists.”
She laughed.“He’s a cheeky fellow, isn’t he?”she said to Rose, winking again.“Tell me all about how you met and when you married.I know nothing!How can a mother know nothing about her own son’s marriage?And to a duchess.How fitting, eh, Matthew?”She winked again.
The earl took her arm and they moved up the steps together.A footman had carried their valises and they were led up the stairs to their rooms.
“Dukey, come sit with your mother for a minute or two while everyone settles.Now, I want to hear the real hows and whys of your scheme to marry such a notable duchess.And leave nothing out.”
