AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Asmall figure, wearing white and holding an umbrella over her head caught Benedict’s attention, and he hurried towards her.
She spotted him and waved.
Rosaline stood there, waiting anxiously for him to approach, and smiled weakly.
“Good afternoon, Lord Benedict. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Your note was something of a surprise.”
He arched an eyebrow. “A pleasant surprise, or an unwelcome one?”
She flushed. “A pleasant surprise.”
“Good, good.”
Rosaline hesitated, twirling her umbrella. “I was surprised that you wanted to go for a walk, actually. It looks like it’s going to storm later.”
Benedict’s throat tightened, threatening to choke him altogether. Until somebody else mentioned the likelihood of rain and thunder, he could convince himself that he was being silly, and the rain would likely hold off until he was home and safe.
Now that Rosaline had mentioned it, he glanced up at the sky, full of rain, and the fear came surging back.
“So it does.” He managed, his voice too hoarse and raspy. “Perhaps… perhaps we ought to postpone our walk.”
Rosaline took a step towards him. Her eyes were so large, flecked with colors that Benedict hadn’t seen before, and the concern in her face almost distracted him from the disaster brewing above his head.
“Perhaps we ought to go somewhere else.” Rosaline said, her voice clear and cool. It was something to focus on, instead of the light droplets of rain that Benedict was sure he could feel. “Why don’t we go back to your home?”
Benedict thought briefly. The Dowager was away, paying calls, and Joshua had gone out. Goodness only knew whenhewould return.
They would have the house more or less to themselves. That was a tantalizing idea – but only if it meant what Benedict hoped it meant.
“Are… are you sure about that?” he asked hesitantly. “There may be no chaperones available.”
Rosaline rolled her eyes, lifting her eyebrows at him. “I think it’s rather too late to worry about chaperones, don’t you? Besides, you never finished.”
Benedict choked. “I beg your pardon?”
Rosaline widened her eyes innocently. “Your tour, I mean. You never finished the tour of your house you planned to give me. What did you think it meant?”
They reached the house just as the heavens opened. It began to rain heavily, water bouncing off the pavements and turning the grass into mires. Benedict stood safely behind the windows, watching the rain trickle down the glass. There was no hint of a storm yet, but he knew, he justknewthat the rain was only a precursor.
He swallowed hard, closing his eyes. What was he, a child? Hiding from the rain?
That brought him to another point.
“You know, don’t you?” he addressed Rosaline without turning around.
They were in one of the parlors, and she was inspecting the rows of books in the bookcase while Benedict stared out at the wet gardens.
“Know what?” she asked, reaching up to select a very nice leatherbound volume.
“About my parents. About why I don’t like storms and the rain. I bet Joshua told you, the wretch.”
Rosaline sighed. “Yes, he told me. I’m so sorry for what happened to you, Benedict.”
He clenched his jaw, staring out at the rain. “I’m not the only child to be orphaned. I ought not to act like a terrified puppy at the first hint of thunder. It’s shameful. It’s cowardly.”
“Shameful? No.” Rosaline moved to stand next to him, craning her neck to peer out of the window. “What happened to you will never leave you. It was a terrible tragedy, a scar on your past. It was awful. I can’t imagine seeing my parents like…” Rosaline broke off, composing herself. “I don’t always like my parents very much, but they are my parents. I do love them, and I don’t know how I could manage seeing them die.”
Benedict swallowed. “I loved my parents.” He murmured. “And they loved me.”
