Page 34 of The Penitent Duke
“That is something significant, indeed,” Lady Eleanor agreed, quietly. “I must say, I personally feel a little more sympathy towards him after this, for it must be a dreadful burden to bear – though, as Lord Radcliffe has told me, not one that the Dukeneedsto carry.”
Rosalind sighed softly. “It is clear to me that he believes himself responsible for what happened to Lady Pearl. It is as though he thinks that, had he refused her request, had he demanded that she remain in London or take the carriage back to his estate rather than permitting her to ride with him, then she would still be with him today. She would be his wife, they would be contented and happy and therefore, since he didnotdo such a thing, he is now responsible for her passing. He bears the responsibility, the shame that comes with it and the pain that must have burned through his very soul upon hearing such news.” With another sigh, Rosalind shook her head. “I do think that he would be a very different character if he did not bear such a heavy weight. It might alter a good many things about him.”
“You think he would not be as dark and as dismal a man.” Lady Eleanor glanced at Rosalind and then nodded. “I can agree with that though what happens if he does not ever do such a thing? What if he continues to be just as he is at this moment?”
Rosalind could not answer. That was a great and terrible fear, she had to admit, and it sat so deeply in her heart that she could not do anything else with it other than to admit it to herself. There was a chance that he might never change, that he might always be inconsiderate, uncaring and eager only for his own company but part of her wanted to believe that he might alter completely. Had she not seen a little of that already? Had she not seen him change in his attitude towards her? That apology, though small, had been significant enough and gave her a small glimmer of light. A glimmer, surely, but barely anything more than that.
“Oh, look! Is that not Lady Sommerville?”
Rosalind looked across the large pond to see a lady waving at them and, with a smile, she waved back. “Yes, I believe it is.” Lady Cecelia Sommerville had been acquainted with both Lady Eleanor and Rosalind herself last Season, though she out of the three of them had been the only one to wed.
“Should you like to go to speak with her?” Lady Eleanor asked, as Rosalind nodded. “It would be wonderful to hear what her first year of marriage has been like!”
With a laugh, Rosalind made to follow after Lady Eleanor, who immediately began to hurry along the path around the pond in search of Lady Sommerville. Rosalind, the sun in her eyes, bent her head so that her bonnet hid the sunshine from her face, when something happened.
She could not explain it for the shock was so great that, one moment she was walking along the path and the very next, she was thrown into the pond itself… and the water immediately began to close over her head.
Chapter Fifteen
There she is.
Lucian did not even attempt to approach Lady Rosalind, aware of the slight lifting of his heart as he watched her. She was deep in conversation with Lady Eleanor and he did not want to interrupt. Besides which, he considered, there was something about simply watching the lady that brought a flicker of happiness to him though he did not permit himself to consider it for too long. That would only lead to him thinking a good too many thoughts about the lady and that, he considered, was a trifle dangerous. The last thing he needed to do was linger upon thoughts of Lady Rosalind. It would do him no good.
Tilting his head just a little, Lucian leaned against the tree as he watched Lady Eleanor wave to someone and then hurry along the path around the pond. Lady Rosalind hurried after her, disappearing for a moment behind a bush – only for a huge splash to catch Lucian’s attention.
His breath stopped, catching in his chest as he stood up straight, watching the ripples across the pond… and then, he began to run. His chest was tight, his whole body burning with fear and dread, only for another splash to break out across the pond.
Lucian came to a stop, stepping closer to the pond as he tried to make out what was taking place. Seeing a bonnet floating across the water, he let out a cry of fright and threw himself in, wading towards it – just as two figures came into view.
“It is all right,” he heard a voice say as he rushed forward, striding through the water that came up to his waist. “You are safe.”
“Rosalind.” The word tore up his throat, leaving it ragged and raw as he reached out for her, though the other gentleman who had flung himself in the water after her held onto her just as tightly. “What happened? I –”
“I am all right.” Lady Rosalind reached out one hand to him and Lucian grasped a hold of it, pulling her to him despite the fact that the water was now halfway up his chest.
“We need to get her out of the water.”
Lucian blinked, looking at the other gentleman, only for his eyes to round. “Westlake?”
“I heard a splash and came to see what happened,” the gentleman told him, as a small crowd of gentlemen and ladies gathered on the bank. “Come. Make haste.”
Lucian was shivering but not from the cold. The awareness of what may have befallen Lady Rosalind, had Lord Westlake not intervened, weighed heavily upon him; his mind resolutely declined to entertain such grievous possibilities. Somehow, he made his way to the side of the pond, Lady Rosalind still clinging to him though she quickly accepted the waiting hands ready to pull her up.
“Thank you, Westlake.” Climbing out, he shook Lord Westlake’s hand, though the fellow quickly dismissed it.
“I am sure that anyone would have done the same. She must be taken home, and quickly.
“Of course.”
“Rosalind!” Lady Eleanor pushed her way through the crowd. “What happened? I –”
“The carriage, Lady Eleanor,” Lucian interrupted, as a gentleman put his own coat around Lady Rosalind’s shoulders. “Hurry now.” Pausing, he dropped his head to speak quietly to Lady Rosalind, seeing the white of her cheeks and the way she shivered. “If you permit me, I will carry you.”
Despite her trembling, Lady Rosalind managed a small smile. “I will be quite all right, Strathmore,” she answered, though she was only just a little louder than a whisper. “I do not want to create more gossip than is necessary.”
Lucian opened his mouth to argue but Lady Eleanor was already guiding Lady Rosalind forward and Lucian hurried with them, aware of the water that dripped from practically every part of him. Glancing behind him, he saw Lord Westlake being congratulated by the lingering crowd and, immediately, Lucian’s gut twisted.
He saved my betrothed but I could not save his sister.
