Page 19 of A Scoundrel All the Way
Lucyswiped at rogue tears sliding from the corners of her eyes.Theletter was so poignant and so moving. “Howheartbreaking.Ican understand her fears if she was relegated to bedrest.Anywoman would have felt those worries.Andto have him away at such a time…IthinkIwould have felt the same way.”
“You’revery insightful,Lucy. “AuntJudithdied during childbirth along with the baby,” he said in a solemn tone.Theysat there in silence for a few moments, and thenRowanadded, “Amazingly, in this letter, she thought she could see the baby in her dreams.Doyou think that is truly possible?”
“Yes…”Shebreathed a deep sigh. “I’veheard of other mothers feeling like they’d met their children before they were born, in their dreams.”
“Doyou really believe thatLucy…about dreams?”Rowanasked. “I’venever held to that belief myself, given my past line of work, althoughIhave had a few provocative dreams over the years,” he said with a crooked smile.
OhLord, this man…
“Haveyou ever met someone and then, later, dreamed about that person?” he asked, his voice as deep and dark as night.
Lucyhad indeed.Sheexhaled a shaky breath.Lastnight she’d dreamed ofRowan.Hehad kissed her, and it had felt so real.Butshe certainly couldn’t tell him about that.Instead, she said, “Ithink so.Butfor me, dreams seem to disappear unlessIwrite them down.”
“MaybeIshould ask if you’ve had dreams about the future,” he said.
“Ihave,” she said. “Idream of having my independence from my family and being surrounded by lots and lots of animals.Dogsand cats…even foxes,” she said looking over atAshe, who was snoozing in front of the fireRowanhad built to warm the room. “Theygive love without asking for anything in return.Ilove helping them.”
“Whatabout having children or a family?” he asked in a quiet voice.
“Istopped believing in that for myself a while ago.EventhoughI’dlove to be a mother,Idon’t think it’s in the cards for me.”
“Ithink you would make a wonderful mother…”
“Thankyou,” she whispered glancing down at the letter she was still holding. “Butit’s in the past.AndIsuppose everything happens for a reason.Ithink my proxy marriage, while it was the last thingIwould have wanted, was perhaps the best thing that ever happened to me because it liberated me in many ways—especially financially and from my parents’ control.”Shesmiled. “Yourturn,” she said.
“Myturn,” he repeated.
Hereached into the red box and withdrew another letter.Thisone appeared to be stained with various spots.Lucywondered if the spots were dried tears.Rowanbegan to read:
MydaringJudith,
Icannot wait to be home with you.Please, please do everything the doctor asks of you.Ilove the baby, but above all,Ilove you.
Iexpect the meeting to be over soon, andIwill be on my way home to you.
Allmy love,
James
Whenhe finished reading, he gently folded the letter.
“Whata loving note,”Lucysaid wistfully. “Iimagine he franked the letter and sent it the same day he received hers.Sheclosed her eyes and smiled. “Ican almost see him doing that—althoughI’venever met your great-uncle.Iwould imagine that as a younger man, he might have looked something like you.”
“Whywould you think that?”Rowanasked, that crooked smile on his lips once more.
“Idon’t know.Justa feeling,Isuppose.
“Yourturn,” he said.
“Myturn.”Lucydug deep and pulled out another letter.
MydarlingJudith,
Yourlove is the most wonderful thing that’s ever happened to me.Ifeel so blessed to have found a woman like you.Andyour worries about children aren’t to be borne.Ihave relatives that can inherit should we not be successful, so please, my darling, do not let this burden your heart.Youare my wife and my family.Icherish you and the wonder that you have brought to my life.
Pleaseaccept this gold and diamond bracelet as a symbol of my undying love for you.
Allmy love,
