Page 53 of Dangerous Games of a Broken Lady
“Shall I have Daniel fetch the physician?”
“No, no, I am quite well,” he assured. “I need an afternoon’s rest and I shall be as right as rain again.”
She hesitated in the doorway. “You would tell me if something was the matter, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course, I would, darling.”
“Only, I know you think you have to protect us from everything this world may throw our way,” she said softly. “And I want you to know that you do not have to face anything on your own… if there is an illness that you cannot speak of, or something else, you must tell us. You shall always have Mama and I by your side, no matter what.”
A wave of emotion crashed over him. It was all he could do not to cry in front of his daughter. Her words had touched a tender nerve, threatening to break the foundations of his strength. For a moment, he wondered if Jasper had said anything to her, but her words were too vague. She didn’t know about the fraudulent activities he’d been up to on Lord Rowntree’s behalf. He would know if she did, for he reasoned he would see the flicker of betrayal in her eyes.
“I know, my dear. I assure you, there is nothing amiss,” he said, recovering himself.
“If there is anything I may do, you must let me know. I hate to see you like this.”
He smiled. “I shall be entirely better before you know it. This luncheon shall set me right, I am certain of it.”
She giggled. “Cook’s beef stew is known to have the most remarkable restorative qualities. Although, she will not tell a soul what she puts in it.”
“I am already looking forward to it, my dear Adelaide.”
“Now, before I go to the library, I shall ask one last time,” she said. “May I do anything for you?”
“No, my dear. Go on and enjoy your afternoon.”
She hurried over to where he was sitting and kissed him gently on the cheek. With a bright smile and roses in her smooth cheeks, she darted back across the dining room and disappeared into the hallway beyond. Ephraim was alone again.
The trouble was, there was one thing she could do for him. And yet, he refused to ask. It pained him all the more to know that she would do it, if only to save her family from wrack and ruin. If he could not steal the scepter from Westminster Abbey, she would be the one to suffer for it. He would hang, yes, but Adelaide and Margaret would be the ones who remained. They would have to endure the scorn that ensued.
You have skillfully manipulated me this time, Lord Rowntree,he thought angrily.
The vile creature had evidently thought it all through. If Ephraim did not wish to go through with the act, then Adelaide would be forfeit—one way or the other. If Ephraim went through with the act and was caught in the middle of it, Adelaide would be forfeit again. She would have nowhere else to turn. Reuben would have no choice but to break off the engagement, to avoid a scandal. In the aftermath, Adelaide’s reputation would lie in tatters… because of him. If Lord Rowntree made her an offer, she would not be able to refuse it.
The only outcome in which Adelaide emerged unscathed was if he could find a way into the Abbey and steal the scepter without getting caught. A tall order, but he had to figure it out. With Adelaide’s future on the line, there had to be a way.
Chapter 20
Adelaide headed down the hallway towards the library, her mind racing with unspoken concern for her father. He did not look well. There had been several outbreaks of consumption across the country, and she could not help but worry. He was such a strong and proud man, and yet he seemed to have withered before her very eyes.
You must trust him,she told herself.He says he is well, and you must believe that to be true. Perhaps, it is nothing but a trifling cold, as he has said.
She turned away from the library, seeking the comfort of her bedchamber instead. With Jasper’s letter in her hand, she did not want anyone discovering her in the midst of reading it. Hurrying up the stairs and across the landing, she slipped into her room and moved towards the window-nook.
With rain still pattering against the window, and a gloomy autumn sun struggling to break through the clouds, she gazed out at the park for a moment. In her mind, she imagined Reuben standing there. He had fallen somewhat silent after news of the engagement had been announced. And yet, she remained untroubled. The Dowager Duchess had sworn that they would marry, and she did not believe anyone would cross a lady such as her. Not even her son.
I have nothing to worry about. He and I shall be wed, and ours shall be a unique and thrilling marriage. It will have its share of turbulence, but I believe there will be contentment, too. He inspires some sort of affection within me. He is handsome. He is well-read. He is wealthy. Indeed, he shall make a good husband… if only on the exterior.
However, a lingering doubt remained in her mind. She could not shake it. In writing the letter to Jasper, using her words in Leah’s handwriting, she had realized something—no man had ever spoken to her in such a way, and she had never felt inclined to speak to a man with such emotion. All her life,thishad been absent. Now that she knew it could exist, deep in her heart, she wanted to hold onto it. She wanted to be one of the fortunate ones, who loved and was loved.
Casting off her gloomy thoughts, she picked up the letter and opened it out. Her eyes danced across the page in absolute delight, absorbing every sweet word. She pictured Jasper saying them and discovered a smile upon her face. This back-and-forth of letters was exciting, in a way she did not know letters could be:
My darling Miss Green,
I do not wish your heart to be heavy, for it ought to be as light as a feather. Indeed, were it weighed on the scale of truth and honor, it would balance completely. I am sorry that such tragedy has taken you away from London. It is the city’s loss, and mine. Your presence shall be sorely missed.
I hope that, wherever you may be, you can find some joy in my letters. I would not have the strain of your family’s ailment darken your spirits. You do not deserve to have such shadow in your life, for you are all things fair and delightful.
You cannot know how much your letter cheered my own spirits, for I thought I had behaved so foolishly that you would never speak with me again. Emotions do not come easily to me in the spoken word, though I find them pouring onto the page as I write. I am glad that you wish us to improve our acquaintance at a slower pace, so we may get to know one another properly. There is so much that I still wish to know.
