The Lost Countess That Counted Stars (Historical Regency Romance)
Page 32
“Take a guess! I’ll say this much! Riding lessons!”
Isolde’s mouth dropped open. “No! It can’t be? Lord Rotham?”
He nodded with conviction, “Indeed. Well, he’s Lord Ekhard now as he’s inherited the Dukedom from his father. Our good old friend, he’s returned. He was at the ball last night, but you must have missed one another.”
“Missed whom, Cousin?” The siblings both turned when Henrietta entered. She’d freshened up and there was not a trace of tears left upon her fair face. She’d also undone her hair so that it was open and loose, the red in stark contrast to the white muslin dress she wore.
“He was just telling me about our neighbor, the Duke of Ekhard. He was at last night’s ball, but I did not have occasion to meet him. In any case, he is quite the adventurer. He’s been away, traveling the world since I was a child. Oh, the stories he must have to tell.”
Just then, one of the footmen entered with the requested hot chocolate and plates of refreshments. Isolde was delighted to see that marzipan was available, her favorite next to dry cake. To her surprise, she watched as Henrietta took not only one piece of cake but two, as well as several pieces of marzipan.
Across from her, her brother raised an eyebrow. It was unusual to see Henrietta indulge.
“What is it? I have had quite the shock this week. Don’t I deserve to make myself feel better, even if I shall regret it later?”
Eric waved an arm, “By all means, do not let me stop you.”
Isolde placed her plate next to her and wrapped her hands around the mug of hot chocolate, which steamed. The scent of the hot chocolate and spices tickled her nose.
“I thought I heard the Duke of Ekhard died not long ago,” Henrietta said as she took a bite out of the cake.
“He did, six months ago it was. The Duke, the new one, just returned from India last week.” Eric drank his chocolate slowly with his eyes closed. He’d done this since they were children.
Henrietta swallowed a lump of cake. “But did you not call him Earl Rotham? How did he go from Earl to Duke? Should there not have been a Marquess in between to assume the title?”
Isolde and Eric exchanged a glance and she shrugged. She knew the story somewhat, but since her brother was close to the Duke, she felt he was in a better position to explain the circumstances to their curious cousin.
“There was a Marquess. Rotham, I mean Lord Ekhard, was the second son. He had a brother, older by ten years, who was in line to be the next Duke. But, he died perhaps a year or so ago. Rather tragic. It was a boating accident that killed both him and his wife. They had no sons, only daughters, and so the title passed to the next in line.”
Isolde felt a sudden wave of sadness for the Duke. To lose his brother and his father in just a year was dreadful. And he’d been so far away he had not been able to go to the funeral. Of course, being a woman, Isolde had not either. She recalled the solemn countenance her father and brother had carried upon their faces when they returned from the burials.
She hated to think of how the poor young Duke must have felt, receiving the news. She remembered him well, for he had been the one to teach her to ride a horse properly. She’d always been afraid of riding, although she’d loved horses all her life. She remembered watching her brother, Olivia’s older brother, Mr. Thomas Brown, and the Duke riding out and wishing she could have done so as well.
She had been perhaps eight years old when he’d seen her lurking in the stables as the three boys got ready to ride out. Even then, she’d been scared of talking to people. The timid nature that had taunted her all her life had made it nearly impossible to speak to anyone she did not know well. However, her desire to learn to ride had won over her fear and she’d asked him to teach her. Which he had.
She still thought of the lessons he’d taught her when she rode out now.
I wonder what he is like now, how the years have changed him. It is hard to imagine as it was fourteen years ago that he taught me to ride. Time has moved so quickly.
“That is rather sad. What a pity to come into such a grand title by way of such tragedy,” Henrietta said as she finished her cake. “I think I would like to take the air; I’ve indulged far too much and the Duke’s story has made me rather melancholy, on top of my own sorrows.” She rose.
“I shall join you, Etta. I’d rather like to put the past week behind me as well.”
The two young ladies left the drawing room to retrieve their outer wear when North walked past them, a tray with the day’s mail in hand. Isolde saw him hand the envelopes to Eric who opened them at once and began to read. He was rather diligent about correspondence.
Molly had already retrieved Isolde’s muff and pelisse when Henrietta rushed back down the stairs, dressed for the cold. She took Isolde’s hand in hers.
“Shall we, Cousin?”
“We shall!” Isolde replied with a grin. She was rather looking forward to a stroll outside.
They had almost reached the door when Eric called out from behind them.
“Isolde! Wait.” There was something uneasy in his voice. Isolde walked back toward the drawing room and saw her brother standing by the settee, an opened letter in hand. She recognized the handwriting as that of her father. Her brother’s countenance was one of regret and dread.
“We have had a letter from Father. Isolde, I must speak to you at once. Please join me in the drawing room. Alone.”
Isolde’s heart beat out of her chest as she took off the pelisse and handed it back to Molly. Slowly, she walked toward her brother, certain something dreadful had to have been written in the letter. With shaking legs, she sat across from him and braced herself.
Want to know how the story ends?
Tap on the link below to read the rest of the story.
https://amzn.to/2Q74hDa
Thank you very much!
Also by Patricia Haverton
Thank you for reading The Lost Countess that Counted Stars!
I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, may I ask you to please write a review HERE? It would mean the world to me. Your insightful comments and honest feedback help me get better!
Some other best sellers of mine:
A Mistletoe Match for the White Duchess
Perfectly Mismatched with the Duke
A Game of Chess with the Marquess
The Haunted Knight of Lady Canterley
The Last Lady of Thornhill Manor
Also, if you liked this book, you can also check out my full Amazon Book Catalogue HERE.
I am honored to have you by my side on this wonderful journey!
Patricia Haverton
About the Author
Born the oldest of three children, Patricia Haverton grew up believing that she’d follow in her father’s footsteps and pursue a career in science. However, her worldview changed when she decided to explore her British mother’s roots. The trip to her ancestral lands solidified her conviction that she had found her true calling in the romanticism of the Era of Kings and Queens.
A hopeless romantic and a firm believer in the idea of soulmates, Patricia changed the course of her life and decided to get her degree in Creative Writing and Psychology. As she jokingly says ever so often, “she lives in the past now, where love shows the way and Dukes save the day!”
When she’s not weaving tales of love that prevails, Patricia enjoys spending time with her husband, roaming the British countryside, where they have been living in for the past decade.
Now would be the time to let yourself go and experience the true magic of the Regency Era! Let your imagination run wild, live amazing adventures through the eyes of brave heroes! Like the legendary wise wizard, Patricia will be your guide!
Let’s connect
patriciahaverton.com
patricia@patriciahaverton.com
;