Page 26 of The Duke and the Widow
Thankfully, Lord and Lady Ockham were understanding about the situation with his brothers. He sent the necessary correspondence to the school so they wouldn’t worry about where the boys went. He spent the afternoon with them, listening to their stories about their studies and some of the friends they had made.
It sounded to James like they had enjoyed school until William had suffered from the nightmares. If that hadn’t occurred, he had a feeling the boys would still be happily away at school. It also explained why James hadn’t received a letter from them yet, as they had been busy with their new friends. He questioned his decision to allow them to remain at home instead of going to school, but he could think on that later once they all had more time to discuss the matter.
They didn’t encounter Rosina when he took the boys on a stroll through the gardens to show them the estate. He showed them where the fire had occurred at the stables and used the opportunity to remind them of how destructive fires could be. And why it was so important to be mindful of any kind of flame.
For dinner that evening, he had requested trays for them all to be brought to the chamber where the boys were staying. It was only a couple of doors down from him, which made things convenient to keep an eye on them.
After they finished their meal and the trays had been taken away, he settled the boys into their beds. He figured they would most likely depart the following day to not be a burden on their hosts. A country house party wasn’t exactly the place for a pair of boys their age.
Once he bid them good night, he returned to his own chamber. The house was quiet, but given the time, he was certain there were still guests lingering about. Then there would be the guests who would swap their chambers for the evening. The way he had done with Rosina.
He wanted to go to her that evening. More than anything. By then she had to have heard about his brothers’ arrival, as such a thing would be known quickly amongst the entire party. And if they hadn’t spread the news, his disappearance from the party would cause talk on its own.
James paced his room. He needed to speak with her before he left, but what would we say? Could he tell her he loved her but he had to go? Could he beg her to love him, too, and consider a life with him? He was almost certain she would decline that offer before he could even finish the words, and then where would that leave him?
There were the boys to consider as well. If William was having nightmares, adjusting to the notion of James marrying and adding someone else to their family was a risk. If the boys would even accept her at all. But could he live the rest of his life without her? Or without at least trying to win her?
The sound of his chamber door clicking closed reached his ears and his chin jerked in that direction. Expecting to see one of the boys, he was surprised to see Rosina leaning against the closed door.
“How did you know this was my chamber?” He mentally chastised himself for asking such a pointless question. Who really cared how she came across the information?
“I asked.”
“Why did you come?” He didn’t bother hiding the hope in his tone, and that was a far more important question.
She took a few steps closer to where he sat in the chair before the fireplace. “I heard about your brothers, and I wanted to see if you were all right.”
He flashed her a playful grin. “So you were thinking about me?”
James was almost certain she had rolled her eyes at him. “I suppose,” she said.
“I believe I shall depart with the boys tomorrow,” he blurted, hoping her reaction might be one of sadness or longing.
“I see.”
No such luck.
“I’m not ready to depart from you,” he said, deciding to bare just a bit of his heart to her.
She moved another few steps closer, and he could see her better with the light from the fire dancing across her features. The sadness was there, and it caused his heart to catch in his throat.
“Me neither, Duke.”
He leapt from his chair and captured her in his arms, holding her close to him. “Come with me,” he pleaded.
She pulled back, and she eyed him as if he belonged in Bedlam. “Are you mad? I can’t just come with you.”
“Why not?” He leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on her lips before trailing kisses along her jaw. “Marry me, Rosina,” he whispered against her ear. “As much as I promised I wouldn’t, and then tried not to. I love you.”
“James,” she whispered, nuzzling her cheek against his. “I can’t.”
His heart shattered into little pieces, and his entire body recoiled from her rejection. James released her. “Why?”
“I…I just…James…”
He watched her stammer with her words and awaited what blow she might deliver. Did she truly not care for him at all?
William’s voice cut through Rosina’s broken words. “Brother?”
