AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Is it truly called the Boar and Hog?” she asked with the first laughter he had heard from her that day. He caught a glimpse, in that moment, of the young girl she had once been.
“It is.”
“Seems kind of redundant to me.”
“My friend is a good man but not the most imaginative.”
She giggled again and there was a touch of hysteria to it, making James realize that reaction was beginning to set in for her. He regretted the depth of fear he had caused her. He would have to see that her tea was fortified a little.
“I think tea would be just the thing we need right now,” Rosabel said firmly. “And Sally needs some, too, I think.”
James glanced at the maid, who had sat in near silence through the entire recounting of her mistress’ tale. Her face was tear stained and tragic, but she met his gaze fiercely, as though challenging him to treat her mistress well. He nodded at her.
“Of course, Sally shall have tea as well.”
When they pulled into the yard of the inn, Wexford jumped down before a footman could reach them and reached up for Rosabel himself. He took far longer than necessary lowering her to the ground. It was the closest he could come to embracing her as he wished. He was pleased to see the pink restored to her cheeks. He stifled a shout of laughter as his gaze encountered that of the fierce little maid, who was glaring at him for his effrontery.
His friend was waiting for them and before long, after introductions, James and Rosabel were ushered into a private dining area while Sally skipped off toward the taproom, pleased to have found out that the innkeeper’s wife was some sort of a family connection.
“Well, her fierce protectiveness certainly was laid to rest in the strangest manner,” Rosabel commented with a pensive tone.
“For some, the presence of a familiar face makes all the difference,” James agreed sagely while he really wanted to laugh but was concerned that Rosabel might still be feeling a little fragile after her retelling.
“I must ask: how have you managed to carry on with your Seasons while keeping your secret? Did you not encounter Prescott? How did you manage not to plant him a facer each time?”
He had meant to discuss calm, innocuous subjects so was surprised to find this burning question could not be contained. They were already seated, and Rosabel was pouring the tea just as he had said he liked it. Of course, the fact that was how she liked it, too, might have made it easier to remember, but James liked to think that she had taken note of the details he had shared.
Rosabel was smiling quite naturally when she put her teacup down to answer his question, much to James’ relief. He had been well aware that her façade of calm tranquility at all times had been just that – a façade. But it was a pleasure to see her normal, natural reactions. He wondered if it would be just for him or if she would become natural once more with everyone.
“That was the very worst part, in all actuality. It seemed as though he was everywhere. That first Season was ruined, of course. I couldn’t accept anyone’s attentions after my encounter with Prescott in the Chorneys’ library. My trust had been shattered, it felt like my very being had been altered, although that sounds terribly melodramatic in hindsight. But as I said, I was young and innocent when I entered the room. I was a different person when I left it.”
James stared at her for a moment. “But he didn’t actually – “ He couldn’t even complete the question. Rosabel actually laughed a little.
“No, no. I made short work of ending his attentions with a swift knee and two punches. But I had never visited violence upon another person before. And shockingly, Society would have been more alarmed by my actions than Prescott’s. That realization was what hurt me the worst, I think. It took me a long time to be able to speak to anyone about anything. Even the weather or fashions or anything. I went from trusting everyone to no one in the space of time it takes to dance the quadrille.”
She paused, contemplating the liquid in her cup rather than meeting James’ gaze.
“But that isn’t what you asked. You asked how I managed to make it through the Season. It wasn’t actually all that difficult. Everyone prefers the sound of their own voice rather than that of someone else. Barely anyone noticed that I had gone silent. I think my mother wondered, as she would watch me upon occasion. And my sisters thought it strange, but they just thought I was putting on airs from having some Town Bronze.”
James’ heart twisted as he watched her lips twist in a wry expression of self-deprecation, as though she were embarrassed over her changes rather than proud of the fact that she had survived something so horrible.
“I find it hard to believe that no one noticed.”
Rosabel shrugged. “Tell me about your favourite estate.”
James laughed. Clearly the girl wished to change the subject. “What makes you think I have a favourite?”
Rosabel smiled. “Because even though my father is Sherton, we live in a place called Glendale. Everyone has different preferences. You probably have at least four or five estates. You have three titles, all of which are attached to land, if Debrett’s has it right. Surely there are other, unentailed lands. Thus, my question.”
“You are an astute girl,” he answered mildly, watching as she shrugged.
“When you stop talking, you are forced to hear and think more. It took me a while to stop thinking only of myself, but I did learn to observe others. But that is not the point. I am now wondering why you are dithering over what should be an easier than average question.”
James chuckled again. “I am merely wondering how to admit that I’ve never considered the question before. I was led to believe that I am Wexford and that was where I must reside. I only visit the other estates on occasion to check how they go on. I didn’t think it was an option that I could make one of them my home. It is a strangely unsettling thought.”
He was made even more unsettled by the watchful blue eyes before of him. It felt to him as though Rosabel’s steady gaze could read all the way into his soul. He had no idea what she would find there, as he didn’t yet know how he felt on the subject.
She blinked and it was as though she relented with a slight shrug and a nod.
