Page 61 of Secrets of Capell Manor
The room fell silent behind him.
“You can’t,” came Rosalind’s soft reply. “Not yet. Please stay until morning. Just one more night.”
Devlin closed his eyes, every part of his body and soul longing to stay, be near her, and hold her just once more. But he knew he couldn’t. The pain of staying, of lying next to her and knowing he would have to walk away in the morning, was more than he could bear.
“I can’t,” he said, turning to face her. “If I stay… Rosalind, it will only make leaving harder.”
Tears welled in her eyes, but she stood tall, her chin trembling as she tried to compose herself. “Then don’t leave,” she whispered, but there was no demand in her voice, only a heartbreaking plea.
Devlin shook his head, stepping forward to take her hands in his. “I have to. The king will need me, and if I disobey his command to return immediately, it will not end well for me. You know that.” His voice softened, and he gently squeezed her hands. “But Alden will stay with you. And Grim,” he added, glancing at the large, protective dog who had become just as much a part of the household as the children themselves. “They’ll keep you safe until the king decides what happens next.”
Rosalind’s tears finally fell, and she blinked them away, her hands gripping his tightly. “And what of you, Devlin? What if the king never sends you back? What if…” Her voice cracked.
Devlin’s heart shattered. He cupped her face gently in his hands, wiping away her tears with his thumbs. “If there’s a way for me to come back, I will. I promise you that. But you’ll be safe here, Rosalind. You’re the heiress now—two estates are yours. No one will dare harm you with Alden here and Grim by your side.”
“Promise me again,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
Devlin leaned down. “I promise.” He met her lips in a brief kiss that was bittersweet. He pulled away, turned to Alden, and said gruffly, “Take care of them.”
“You know I will,” Alden replied.
As if sensing the gravity of the moment, Grim padded over to Rosalind, his massive frame brushing against her legs. Rosalind buried her hand in the thick fur at his neck. Then she followed Devlin to the door. After he mounted his horse, he looked at the manor that had come to feel like a home. Finally, he turned his mount and rode away. He didn’t look back.
Rosalind stood in the doorway, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, watching him disappear into the twilight. Alden stood beside her, silent, offering the quiet strength she needed.
“He’ll be back, milady,” Alden said softly.
She wished she could believe Alden’s words.
Chapter Eighteen
Rosalind cried herself to sleep. Her sadness bordered on despair and came with a dose of shame as well. After her visit with the king, she had so much to be grateful for. After all, she was cleared of any wrongdoing, and Edmond was gone. She and the children were safer than they’d ever been.
And she was wealthy.
As the heir to two estates that were at one time prosperous, she now had the means to support herself and her family. And if the king allowed, the attention of many influential suitors would soon come her way. She finally fell asleep thinking about the life she could have—one of balls and dances, visiting London, fine clothes, and never having to sweep or do laundry again. Her dreams should have been a comfort, but instead she was tormented.
When her eyes opened before dawn, she knew exactly what she wanted—and it wasn’t balls, or fancy clothes, or a life of leisure.
I only want Devlin.
The tears welled in her eyes again, as the desires of her heart were like a mist that disappeared with the coming sun. She could not see the king allowing her to marry for love. He needed strong alliances, and a carefully arranged marriage with a fat purse attached to the deal was an effective means to that end.
“Mama Rose.” It was Kaylyn. “Are you awake?”
She quickly wiped her eyes, “Yes, sweetie, I am. What’s wrong?”
“I heard you cry out and I worried you were having a bad dream.”
The child ran over the cold stone floor and jumped into bed with her. It was only a matter of minutes before Luella and Grim joined her in bed as well.
“I’m doing just fine, sweet girls. Don’t you worry about me,” Rosalind assured them as she stroked Grim’s broad head.
The girls, content and believing her words of assurance, curled up beside her and quickly fell asleep. But she lied. She was far from fine as she tried to draw strength from the large dog and the two smaller bodies curled up next to her.
****
Loneliness weighed heavily on Rosalind, but another feeling began to emerge. It was power. Now she had choices. The estate was entirely hers. And until the king found her a husband, she would do her best to make the Capell lands profitable and the manor shine!
