Page 38 of Wicked Rivals
“I am well, thank you, Jonathan. I believe I’m mostly recovered from my adventure.” She would not admit her feet still hurt or that her body ached.
“I imagine so, walking so far in a soaked dress. You must have been carrying your own weight in rain and mud.” Charles took a seat.
“She’s a strong lady,” Ashton informed Charles. A frown twisted his lips.
“Er…indeed,” Charles agreed, and then he stared at Jonathan’s plate. “For God’s sake, man, eat some fruit. You can’t survive on eggs and biscuits alone.”
Rosalind nearly missed it, but she saw Ashton’s lips twitch as he watched Charles order the younger man about. There was something about this moment that held significance. She was glimpsing a moment of Ashton’s private life, a time when his guard was down and his heart was open.
He’d hinted last night at how he was bonded to his friends, but seeing it was another thing entirely. Something about these men made her feel homesick for Scotland and her brothers. Brock, Brodie and Aiden had taken care of her and each other just like these men did. It was what family was for, to love and care for one another. The League was Ashton’s family.
When she’d sat down for tea with Emily, Horatia and Anne, she’d sensed a similar connection. Those women were friends just as their husbands were. Loyal, true, honest. Thinking of them reminded her how she wished she could share some of that closeness. She felt even more alone here watching Ashton with his friends.
Would it be that way if she ever remarried? Would she find herself in a circle of friendship such as this, or were the League of Rogues and their wives an anomaly in the city of London?
“Here.” Ashton refilled Rosalind’s plate and poured more tea for her.
“Thank you,” she said, feeling strangely shy. It still shocked her that this was all happening. Two days ago they were ready to kill each other, and now it was feigned courtship and real kisses?
“Will you be joining us to assess the tenant farms?” Jonathan asked.
She looked in Ashton’s direction, expecting him to answer for her, but when he didn’t, she almost sighed in relief.
“I believe I shall.”
“Excellent.” Jonathan smiled, and they enjoyed the remainder of their breakfast. Jonathan and Charles insisted on sharing a number of stories about Ashton, and she could tell by the rising color on his face that these were stories he didn’t wish for her to hear.
“Did you know he was the only one among the League to get top marks at university?” Jonathan told her.
“The only one who did it without charming any of the professors’ daughters,” Ashton corrected.
“Oh?” She laughed at the disgruntled expression on Charles’s face.
“What’s wrong with bedding a lady simply because her father is a professor? Doesn’t mean a man cheats, you know.”
“It is when you forget to hide the parchment with the examination answers.” Ashton chortled.
Charles threw his head back as though searching the heavens for an intervention. “Take Pepper Plumsby to bedonetime…”
“Pepper?” Rosalind giggled. “Oh dear, was that really her name? Did she a have a sister named Salt?”
Ashton’s rich laugh startled her, but then the other two men started laughing too.
Jonathan smacked his thigh. “She has a point, Charles. You ought to pick bed partners with better names.”
“You of all people should know appearances can be deceiving,” Charles cut in. “Pepper was a lovely little chit and quite good in the blankets. She had this way of using her—”
“Charles,” Ashton warned, nodding towards Rosalind.
“Oh, right. Well, should we go? The tenants will be anxious to get started on clearing away the debris, see if there is anything worth salvaging. I know you don’t mind hosting them here, but pride can sting, and they’ll be wanting to be settled in their new houses soon.”
Ashton and the others rose from the table, and Rosalind followed. They saw Lady Lennox in the hall as she was rounding up a group of children with Joanna.
“Mother, there you are. Do you wish to look over the designs for the new houses with Rosalind and me?”
Regina shook her head. “No, thank you, Ashton. I’m quite busy with the children. We’re taking them in one of the wagons to play in the fields. I’m sure Rosalind will have many wonderful ideas for you. Won’t you, Rosalind?” Regina sent her a knowing look, and Rosalind smiled back in understanding. It was a both a cue and a blessing to begin her seduction.
This merry game she was playing with mother and son was more amusing than she’d thought. Neither one had a clue what the other did or did not know.
