Page 50 of Unchaining the Heart of the Marquess
He sent his thoughts out across the water, willing them to her. He had been so young during his first trip to Italy that he had not remembered its stunning beauty as he saw it now.
He found the Duchess sitting on a chaise lounge looking out over the water, her face pale and drawn. “Mother?” Frederick spoke approaching her cautiously so as not to startle her.
“Frederick? What are you doing here?”
“I followed you. It was not easy, mind you, but I am finally here. We have been worried sick about you. Why did you run? Father and I could have protected you.”
“No, Frederick, my son. You cannot protect me from this. No one can. Not even God himself. Now that you are here, the threats will be soon to follow.”
“Mother, I do not understand.”
“I am aware, my son, and I fear the time is fast approaching when I will have no other recourse than to explain it all to you, but that day is not today. Please, come sit next to your mother and rest from your long journey.” Frederick did as bidden and sat down next to the Duchess, taking her offered hand in his. “Is it not the most beauteous thing you have ever seen?” she asked, referring to the deep blue sea before them.
“That it is,” he agreed, lying back upon the chair beside her, looking out over the vast seascape. He could just make out the dark blue-grey line of Mount Vesuvius across the bay. Lt. Buckworth joined them and took a seat in a chair behind Frederick. The Duchess’ maid came out with a tray of refreshments for them.
“You must try the lemons, Frederick. There are none like them in all the world as those found here in Sorrento.” She spoke as if they were on holiday together instead of him having just chased her across Europe.
Too tired to argue with her and in awe of his new surroundings, he acquiesced and took the offered glass of water with lemon slices floating in it. He took a sip and found her to be quite right in her assessment. His senses were awash in the tart sweetness of the drink. “Delicious,” he admitted, gesturing for Buckworth to try it as well.
They sat in silence for a time, soaking in the peace and serenity around them. As darkness fell the sun streaked across the sky in glorious shades of pink, orange, red, yellow, and purple until it all faded into blackness. The lamp lights of Naples twinkled across the bay like stars on the night horizon. Frederick had never seen such a radiant sunset. It was beyond human description.
“‘Tis Eden before the fall,” his mother murmured from beside him. He looked over at her and squeezed her hand.
“Indeed.” He studied her features in the lamplight, marred by fear and worry. “Father is quite concerned for you, Mother. I fear he has worried himself into a state of ill health.”
“That was not my intent.”
“I am sure that it was not, but it is the result of your actions nevertheless.”
The Duchess sighed. “I do not wish to return, Frederick. Here I can pretend that all is well and nothing ominous awaits me back in England instead of the horrible truth.”
“I cannot say that I blame you for desiring such, but it is naught but fantasy, when your husband so anxiously awaits your return. If you were to leave and never return, Father would not survive it.”
“My poor dear Marcus. Why did he not come with you?”
“He feared you might return while he was gone.”
“I do not deserve such a man.”
“I believe he would disagree with that, Mother, in spite of the pain you have most recently put him through.”
“Indeed.” The Duchess’ face turned wistful as if she were thinking back to a different, better time in her life before the fear, pain, and anguish of recent days. Beneath the star-spangled Sorrento night sky, Frederick watched as the anxiety-riddled hopelessness faded from her face and the mother he had once known returned for but a brief moment.
He regretted to break the moment, but he could not ignore the necessity of his being there. “You must return to Chescrown, Mother, for Father’s sake if for nothing else. We can protect you there.”
“No, you cannot protect me there or anywhere. I am aware that I cannot remain here indefinitely, Fredrick, but for this moment in time I am here, and that is enough. We will return soon enough, and then all will come to an end. For now, my son, please just sit here quietly with me in heavenly silence.”
Frederick had little choice but to acquiesce to her request. His sole wish was that it was under different circumstances. He sighed and leaned back against his chair once more. With the sun down, the air cooled somewhat, making it more tolerable. In the distance, he could make out the sounds of children laughing as a man’s voice singing in Italian echoed out over the water.Beautiful.
As he sat there, he felt his spirit lighten in spite of the circumstances. One could not be in such beauty and not feel its effects upon the soul. It permeated every aspect of a person until it became a permanent part of them to be carried forth no matter where they might roam after that.
The next morning Frederick was awakened by church bells chiming in the distance.Sunday mass.He rolled over groaning. Every part of his body ached from the long journey and cried out to be given a reprieve. Rising, he splashed water on his face to wake himself. He left his room and walked out onto the veranda where he found Lt. Buckworth and his mother sitting down to breakfast. A manservant passed by him with a tray of food and offered him breakfast. “Colazione, Signore?”
“Si. Grazie,” Frederick accepted and went to sit at the table beneath the shade of the vine-covered trellis. The sea was calm and still sparkling in the morning light. “Good morning, Mother, Lieutenant.”
“Good morning, Frederick. Did you sleep well?”
“Better than I have in some time.”
