Page 64 of The Lord who Seduced Me
Rose
London, England Dec 1812
The day after Cabe had left, Lydia had come looking for her. After Rose had cried the entire day, her eyes felt tired and heavy.
Her entire body felt the same and she hated how much Cabe’s leaving had affected her.
He had finally told her he loved her, and she would take that confession and keep it in her mind and heart always.
A knock on the door made Rose look toward it, but she had no strength, nor did she want to call out for the person to enter.
The door opened, and Lydia bustled in. Rose could tell her mother was shocked at how cold her room had become.
She had not let anyone in to light a fire, nor had she done it herself. It was too much work and she had neither the time, nor the wherewithal to do so.
When Lydia finally spotted her on the settee in front of the cold fire, she hurried over to her.
“Rose, what on earth? It is freezing in here! My darling, has no one come to light the fire?”
When Rose did not answer and Lydia looked down at her face, she gasped. Pulling her into a hug, she rocked her back and forth.
“My darling! Oh, my sweet girl. Are you all right? What has happened?”
Rose could not answer, the words stuck in her throat and when Lydia pulled back, she cupped her hands over Rose’s face.
When a tear slipped free from her eye, Lydia’s face and eyes softened. Pulling her in for another hug, she ran her hand over Rose’s hair.
“My sweet girl. Is it Cabe? Is that what has you so upset? Will you tell me what happened?”
Rose shook her head, and Lydia gave a soft sigh. “Are you certain? I know you need to speak of such things.”
Rose still could not answer, and Lydia clucked her tongue. “Let’s at least get you warm and then, we can speak.”
She lit the fire and pulled a blanket over from the bed, wrapping it around Rose.
Then she sat beside her and put her arm around Rose.
“I know it hasn’t been easy with Cabe. I understand it. I hope you don’t stop living your life because he is being stubborn.”
Rose finally found her voice, “That isn’t it Mother, Cabe left. He is gone.”
Lydia’s eyebrows drew down in confusion, “What do you mean he left?”
Rose bit her lip, trying not to cry. She knew he left for a reason, but it was hard to have the knowledge that he might not come back. It was the hardest thing she had ever done. Letting him go, and not knowing if he was coming back to her.
“He left. Sailed away to fight a battle with the man who took Cabe’s ship first, and then took his leg.”
Lydia let out a gasp, “What?”
Rose nodded, telling Lydia the entire story of what Cabe had told her.
Lydia’s eyes were wide when Rose finished and she pulled Rose into another hug. “Oh, my darling girl. I understand your sadness. It would hurt me too. We just must have faith that Cabe will be the Captain he is, the one who knows how to fight and the one who has been so strong for our family. Have faith in your love. It will bring him back to you.”
Rose nodded, “All right. I will do my best to have faith. It just hurts that I finally got him only to have him leave me again.”
Lydia smiled slightly, “I know. But I know Cabe. How hard he fought trying to listen to that man and to stay away from you. From us. He never could. He loves you Rose. He will do everything in his power to come back to you. I promise you.”
Rose gave a small smile as well. “Thank you, mother. That is true.”
