Page 59 of Never Second Guess a Lord
She choked back a sob and managed a weak shrug, unsure how to answer. Whyhadtwo letters been sent to her after Jacob suffered an accident? And such an accident. Evidently, a boar had charged his horse on a hunt. His mount had responded poorly and ended up crushing his arm. Soon after, an infection took root and ultimately ended his life.
“We now know he wrote me rather consistently,” she said. “So is it so inconceivable two letters might be delivered at once?”
“It is when they had such specific instructions behind them,” Agnus said.
Rather than respond, she closed her eyes and rested her head back against the seat. It seemed her friend would not take no for an answer, though, because she pried the letters out of her hands and gave her a look when she tried to retrieve them.
“I have been respectful up to this point, but that time has passed.” Agnus arched her brows. “Unless, of course, you are willing to read the letters yourself?”
When she frowned, Agnus frowned as well. So either this would be a battle of wills or a surrender. Truth be told, she had little fight left in her, so she rested her head back again and closed her eyes, determined to tune out anything Agnus might say.
Something she failed miserably at when her maid read the first letter.
14 July 1816
My Dearest Love,
I write this in the hopes you care to receive it. I have written you several times between watching your carriage pull away and now. Tried to make sense of what happened. Why you did not want me in the end. Because I can only assume that was your ultimate decision?
Why? What changed your mind? While desperate to know, I am afraid pride got in the way and kept me from reaching out sooner. I was hurt when you fled. Intensely so, if I am to be honest.
Now I lie here with a grave injury I am told will get better and see the error of my ways. In truth, I saw the error the moment my horse fell on me. Knew I should have gone to you sooner. Tried to understand why you fled when I swore you would join me on the battlements and say yes.
All aside, know I think of you now and hope our time might not be over just yet.
Your Loving Jacob
Prudence had no words. What had they done? Let pride and silliness get in the way of being together. Especially her.Suchfoolishness. When she gripped Agnus’ wrist and nodded through tears, Agnus understood and opened the second letter.
My Dearest Liege and Truest Love,
If you are reading this, then it seems I have succumbed to the battle and have been defeated. You should know my every thought has been with you since last we met to my dying breath. I fought to live so I could be by your side if you ever made your way back to me.
It seems despite one’s best intentions, even the mightiest of warriors fall. Know this, though. You were my greatest love. The only one I will think of as I say goodbye to this life. Until next we meet…
Yours Always and Forever,
Jacob
When Agnus stopped reading, she was every bit as teary as Prudence. Clearly just as heartbroken. Neither said another word, and she was grateful for it as she prayed for sleep to take her. Yet it only came in the form of Jacob. Only came with him standing on the battlements, awaiting her.
Every minute, be it waking or sleeping was awful. Like a waking nightmare until the carriage slowed, then stopped. She looked at Agnus, terrified. How was she supposed to do this? How was she supposed to see him this way?
Where she thought the door would open to a somber footman dressed in mourning clothes, instead, Emma opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Prudence.
“Thank the good Lord.” She pulled Prudence after her. “Come. Please. Straight away, as I am sure you will make all the difference.”
What possible difference could she make now?
“How?” A door opened for them at the top of the castle stairs. “I do not understand. Is everyone not in mourning? I was told Jacob had passed. That he—”
“Passed?” Emma frowned and led her up more stairs inside. “Not yet, and by the grace of God, not for many years to come.”
Daring not to hope, Prudence shook her head. “Then why was I told otherwise?”
“Because, at the time, we thought him lost to us, Lady Barrington.” Mr. Donal fell in step beside her with a furrowed brow as Emma rushed her down a hallway. “When I sent our man to retrieve you, we thought his Grace had succumbed to illness, but miraculously he pulled through, if but barely. Suffice it to say, you received his last two letters. Correspondences suited to each possible outcome as it were.”
When they reached a large, ornate door, Emma finally slowed, looked at Prudence, and pleaded with her eyes.
