Page 78 of The Lord who Seduced Me
Dove nodded and Genevieve said, “Will you stay for tea Rose?”
Rose smiled at Genevieve, “Of course, I would love to.”
Dove sat in the seat next to Rose and Genevieve handed her a cup.
“Your mother has come to see us but hasn’t been for some time. Is everything all right at home?”
Rose looked down at her teacup, uncertain of what to tell Genevieve.
“If it is something you cannot tell me, it’s all right. I just worried so much about you. You all left so quickly and were gone for months.”
Rose looked down at Dove, and while she was ten and one years of age, she did not know how much she should tell her.
So, she kept the story clean and told Genevieve what she could.
By the end of the story, Genevieve had her hand on her throat and the day had gotten late.
“Oh, my word. You and your family have been through so much in these past few months. More than I even knew.”
Rose nodded, unsure of what to say. Genevieve reached over and grabbed Rose’s hand.
“If you need anything, let us know. Lucas and I will always be in your debt. If it hadn’t been for the new Duchess, we would have always treated your family poorly and I feel horrid we did for so long. Dove would have had a better childhood had we let go of our prejudice against you.”
Rose squeezed Genevieve’s hand, “We understand why you did what you did. Please know that we have no grudge against anyone in the village and aren’t upset about that.”
Genevieve smiled and when she looked down at Dove, the girl was curled up on the couch, having fallen asleep before Rose finished her story.
“You will never know the depth of our gratitude. Your family saved my daughter’s life and I can never repay that. Nor would I even know how to start expressing my deepest thanks.”
Rose swallowed, “Genevieve, there is no need. It is what we do. And what we love. Knowing we helped her? It is all the payment and thanks we need. Truly. I am glad my mother, Lily and I have been able to help. She is a wonderful girl.”
Genevieve smiled, and Rose stood. “I need to get going, thank you for the tea and for the conversation.”
Genevieve hugged Rose once more and Rose let herself out of the small home.
She walked to where the carriage was waiting and got back inside it.
Riding home, she bit back the tears that threatened. She loved being able to help the sick and knowing that that sweet girl was once on her deathbed, to the wonderful lively girl she was now? It was a perfect feeling and exactly why she helped Lydia with healing in the first place.
So, they could help those that needed it. Children, women, men. Any who needed their loving touch. And Rose was grateful that Lucas and Genevieve had finally let go of their fear and prejudice to let them heal their daughter.
She knew that Genevieve would do anything to give Dove the life she deserved, and she hoped she would be the same way as a mother.
* * *
Rose ate dinner in her room, needing to be alone with her thoughts and when she went to bed, she could not sleep.
Her mind kept replaying over and over the conversation with Genevieve and Rose was grateful she had this tiny life inside her.
She would do all she could to give her child the life it deserved and would do all in her power to preserve Cabe’s memory.
She could only keep praying and trying to have faith that he lived.
After a few hours of trying to sleep and not being able to, Rose wanted to get a new book from the library. Hopefully, it would help her sleep.
Sighing, she got up from her bed, and lit a candle. She would try to find a book so boring; it was sure to help her sleep.
Slipping her robe on over her nightclothes, Rose left her room. Tiptoeing downstairs, she made her way to the library.
