Page 21 of The Lord who Seduced Me
Lydia sniffled, “Thank you sweet girl. I hope you know that I love you. And I always have. No matter your heritage, your conception and who your father was. You were so loved and wanted by me. And I am so happy that you have found love.”
Rose smiled again, “I don’t know how he feels. He says he loves me, but then he pushes me away in the same sentence. I don’t understand it.”
Lydia pulled her over to a settee and sat down with her on it. “Listen to me, please.”
Rose nodded, and Lydia pushed on, “I have seen the way Cabe studies you. As if you are the only woman he has ever seen. The one who hung the moon and stars in the sky. He may be confused or may have a different reason to keep you at arm’s length, but he loves you. I know he has not had an easy life. Cole has told me and us as such, so do not be too hard on him. Think of him like you would Aidan. You know how Aidan was scared that Rhia would only see his scars. Believed she would never treat him like we do. But we know she has never seen them, and only sees Aidan. My love, you need to see Cabe as Cabe. Not as someone who has been wounded. You will see the man underneath. The one who loves you.”
Rose smiled, “Thank you. I will do that. You are right. I need to see him as Cabe. And hopefully he will tell me his secrets. Someday, he will trust me with them.”
Lydia nodded, “He will. Just let him come around. Do not push him away as well. Just be there for him. Wait for him and prove your love. That is what he needs.”
Rose sighed, “You are right mother. Thank you. I need to go see the children. Do you wish to come with?”
Lydia shook her head, “I need to be here. I have much work to do, and I am still reading the letters from Edward and Braddock’s journal. It is extremely hard for me.”
Rose hugged her mother close. “Do you need me to stay? I don’t want you to do this alone.”
Lydia shook her head, “I am fine. I have to know all of this. It is important. And I need to keep trying to find my parents. To see if they live. Truly.”
Rose hugged her again and then left her mother. She had hope in her heart about Cabe. She smiled the entire way to the orphanage.
She knew that even if he never told her his story that she would love him no matter what.
She would stop playing her games, stop dancing with other men and be happy that he loved her. Even if it was hard for him to show it.
When she arrived at the orphanage, she was welcomed warmly by Mary and the children hugged her and led her to the others that were too sick.
Mary had done what she could for them, but the sickness was hard to get rid of with everyone in such close quarters.
So, she gave the few that needed it, some medicine. Then she and Mary went around and cleaned the rooms, washing the bedding and airing out the room while the children that could went outside to play for a bit.
When all was clean, Rose helped Mary cook dinner and ate with everyone.
She knew she needed to get home. To see Lily and to get to the next event, but she had sent Persephone a note and let her know that tonight was not going to work for her to go out.
She needed to be home and was happy with her decision. She left extra medicine with Mary and walked out into the night.
