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Chapter 28
The following morning, Sarah awoke to a rose placed upon the pillow beside her. She picked it up and gazed at it, then took a breath of its sweet aroma. How did it get there? Although Sarah was disappointed that she and Patrick couldn’t share the same bed once more, she still delighted in the knowledge that, upon travelling to Wales, there was a very good chance that Patrick was indeed Henry Spencer, and of noble birth.
Sarah’s lady-in-waiting greeted her with a tray of tea and biscuits. She was delighted to hear that the lady had already packed Sarah’s bags so that she might travel to Wales just as soon as the party had assembled.
“I’m unsure how long I’ll be gone,” Sarah said, buttering her biscuit, which was deliciously warm.
“I’m told that many are travelling with you, My Lady. Your father is undertaking the journey, as is your sister and the duke.”
“The duke?” Sarah asked, her eyes going wide.
“Indeed, My Lady. I was much surprised by it myself.”
Sarah knitted her brow and considered the prospect. Yes, it made perfect sense that Lord Edward Guilford was making the journey. If Patrick proved false in his assumptions that he was the son of a duke, then the Duke of Faversham might claim Sarah’s hand in marriage right then and there.
“I’m so glad that the weather has cleared,” Sarah said, looking out the window. Indeed, the sky was bright blue, and there were no clouds. That would prove favourable for the long journey ahead.
“The duke has requested a picnic halfway through your travels.”
“Of course, he has,” Sarah said with a smile. Leave it to the Duke of Faversham to always turn everything into some sort of event. Sarah wouldn’t be surprised if all the guests at the estate were joining them.
Then again, how marvellous to prove to everyone, all at once, that Patrick was a nobleman. It would only ensure that Sarah’s love could be fulfilled by reading the banns and becoming Henry Spencer’s wife.
Continuing to eat her biscuit, Sarah found that she had quite the appetite that morning. She had gone to bed early after she and Patrick enjoyed their supper in his room. There was something so marvellously domestic about the meal. It was just the two of them, seated by the candlelight and delighting in conversation. Was that how the rest of their lives was to be? Sarah sincerely hoped so. She wanted nothing more than to be alone with her future husband.
It was yet another sound reason why Sarah could in no way marry the Duke of Faversham. He was always having balls and fetes, inviting guests to stay for weeks on end. Such a life would not suit Sarah in the slightest. She required peace and quiet, as well as a library to escape to whenever she chose. Would she and Patrick one day have a library? The prospect thrilled her.
Upon getting out of bed, the lady-in-waiting drew Sarah a bath, and she delighted in the warmth and bubbles. Such a marvellous extravagance to have a bath so frequently. That would perhaps be the one thing that Sarah would miss about the Duke of Faversham’s estate. As she lay in the bath, delicious and seductive thoughts came to mind, all involving Patrick. One day, she’d be entirely his, and they would be free to do as they pleased. Sarah greatly looked forward to that.
“Sarah!” Lisbeth cried out, entering as Sarah was still seated in her bath.
“What is it?” Sarah asked.
“There are some twenty people venturing with us to Wales. It’s so exciting.”
“You can’t be serious,” Sarah said with a laugh, even though it was what she was expecting.
“It’s true! What an adventure we’re going to have.”
“Indeed,” Sarah replied warmly.
It was uncommon for the two sisters to travel, and the prospect was indeed exciting. Sarah had never seen Wales but heard that the countryside was quite majestic and that the people were kind. There was so much in the future to look forward to, and Sarah’s heart was bursting in anticipation.
“Do you think it’s true?” Lisbeth asked, seating herself beside the tub. “Do you think that Patrick and Lord Kelly are identical twins, lost at birth?”
“I do think it’s true. The resemblance is so striking I’d imagine that there’s no other option.”
“But how extraordinary that all of this is coming to light. It seems like a story out of a novel.”
“That it does.” Sarah’s lips curled into a smile.
“If you marry Patrick, will you move to Wales?” Lisbeth asked, ever so slightly frowning.
“No, silly. Patrick may have been born in Wales, but that doesn’t mean that he has to live there.”
“But perhaps he will choose to live in the duke’s estate. You never know.”
“I suppose that you never do know.”
