by Jane Charles
“I fell asleep last night. I barely read two entries before I couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer.”
“And you rose early to read, instead of breaking your fast.”
“Why yes, I must know what happened.”
He chuckled as relief swept through him, surprised at how worried he’d been. “I’ll ask a tray be delivered. You must have sustenance.”
“You can’t,” she cried in alarm. “What if they learn what I’m doing and come looking for me again? Xavier gave me little rest yesterday when I didn’t behave as I should normally. He’ll probably assume a Whist game set me over the edge.”
A slow grin formed as an idea came to him. “I’ll be back shortly.” With that, he ducked into the corridor and hurried to the breakfast room. There he filled a plate of foodstuffs, swiped one of the trays, then took the teapot, two cups and returned back to her chamber.
Elaina opened the door, her eyes widened. “What are you doing?”
“Delivering your breakfast, my lady.”
Elaina laughed and allowed him to enter before closing and locking the door behind him.
Tristan prepared the cups of tea as she dug into her breakfast and moaned. “I’d no idea that I was so hungry.”
Tristan chuckled and placed the cup of tea near where she sat. “Well, go on.” He gestured to the journal.
“You want me to read it while you’re in the room?”
She’d done so the other night, after he insisted, and today should be no different. “Of course, it will save me from wondering if you wish to slap or kiss me.”
“You said I’d not want to slap you again.”
“Upon reconsideration, I do not know what encounters you recorded, or your feelings of such, so I must be prepared for anything”
She eyed him then settled back, eating her meal as she read, a sight familiar to him. Elaina had loved reading and before children, she’d often read through the afternoon meal, usually because he took that meal at his desk to attend estate business. He’d caught her as such on many occasions, when he grew guilty for ignoring her during mealtime but eventually recovered and left her to her world while he attended to his own.
“I didn’t,” she gasped.
“Didn’t what,” he asked, intrigued by what she’d wrote.
“I was going to teach you a lesson. Apparently, I had planned for our next encounter all summer.”
He snorted. “I didn’t realize I’d made that much of an impression.”
“I was extremely vexed with you,” Elaina assured him.
“What did you do that was a surprise?”
* * *
“As I had planned all summer, I approached Lord Trent at the first opportunity,” she read. “I wished him to know that I would not allow him to continue to watch me, and stare at me this Season, and marched right up to him. I believe he was startled by my forwardness, but I did not care.
“You must cease watching me,” I insisted.
He took a step back and stared down at me. “Why must I? You are quite lovely to look upon.”
At first, his compliment had taken me aback, but I was aware of what a rogue he was and refused to be affected. “I wish you to stop as it is unnerving being watched all the time and I shall not endure it this Season.” I was certain that my set down would send him from me, but it didn’t. Much to my surprise, he countered by asking me to dance. Worse. I accepted.
Oh, Lord Trent is a rogue and I must steel my mind and heart against him. He’s broken many a heart I’ve heard, and he mustn’t have any effect on mine. Thus, when he asks me to dance again, if he were to do so, I shall politely decline and erase him from my mind.
Though, he did dance divinely.
However, I shan’t do so again.
* * *
Tristan recalled that meeting as if it were yesterday. Elaina had worn pale yellow, her hair tumbled in curls and her green eyes on fire with censure and determination. Of course, he had asked her to dance. What else was he going to do?
They’d been perfectly matched, as he’d suspected they would from their kiss the year before. And he’d been just as determined to dance with her again as she had been determined to avoid him. Thus, their unofficial courtship had begun.
Elaina glanced up from the journal, not so certain she wished for Tristan to be here as she read more of their courtship. What else had she done and what was he waiting for her to learn that he already knew?
How much embarrassment was she going to experience?
“Don’t you need to be anywhere?”
He shrugged. “I’m at Wyndhill Park for my wife, and only my wife.”
“My brothers will wonder why you remain with me, in my set of rooms.”
Again, he shrugged. “I am your husband. It’s not for them to decide when and where we spend our time.”
How did she get him to leave so that she could read in peace? “Won’t you grow bored watching me read?”
“Not in the least.” He grinned. “You are so expressive. Your emerald eyes lighten when delighted and darken when…there are various shades of green dependent upon your reactions to given situations. Just as there are many shades of blushes I’ve noted over the years.
Such as the one heating her face right now.
“Very well,” he finally said and pulled himself up from the chair. “I shall deliver your tray to the kitchen, now that you’ve finished eating, and wait for you to finish your journals.”
“What will you do all day?”
“I may ride into Farnham. Is there anything that you’d like while I’m there?”
Elaina frowned. She couldn’t think of anything, not that she was certain what kind of shops the town possessed since she hadn’t visited in many years. “I’m not in need of anything. But thank you.”
“Very well.” He lifted the tray.
She didn’t want all of it gone and reached for the pot and her cup and saucer. “Leave the tea please.”
“Very well.” He chuckled. “But, please read fast. I’m not certain how long I’ll be away and would rather not be entertained by your brothers.”
“We are riding this afternoon,” she reminded him.
“Do you remember how to ride?” he countered.
Elaina pulled back. “Yes. Yes I do.”
“I look forward to this afternoon.” He opened the door and stepped out, then stuck his head back in. “Don’t forget to lock this,” he whispered.
At his retreat, Elaina scrambled up from her seat and turned the lock on her sitting room door, then double checked that the bedchamber door remained locked as well. She poured another cup of tea and settled into read.
Drat that man. After dancing with me, he should at least call, but Lord Trent has done no such thing and I’ve not see him at an outing for three days. He hasn’t even been in the park during the fashionable hour, not that I looked for him, of course.
Where has he gone off to? Had he gotten what he wanted and moved on to the next lady of interest? Or, has he lost any interest in me after we danced?
The journal then listed gentlemen who had called on her, brought small bouquets of flowers and those who had written poetry on her behalf and then presented the script to her. Those must be what she kept tied up in a bow. Some had been quite handsome and enjoyable to be around but it was the illusive Lord Trent that occupied her mind, which she found quite frustrating.
It wasn’t until a sennight later that Lord Trent appeared once again.
Oh, that devil, Lord Trent, was at the Henderson ball this evening. A rogue in the first order, yet I found myself looking for him. However, unlike last year, he didn’t look in my direction once.
Not that I wanted his attention, of course, but whatever did I do to earn his displeasure. Have I offended him in some manner?
It shouldn’t matter. He shouldn’t matter, but he behaves as if I don’t even exist, that we never danced. That we never kissed!
I would have assumed he didn’t wish to d
ance, but he had, most of the evening, with a number of ladies and misses wishing for a husband. So, what is wrong with me?
Another week passed without his attention and Elaina was growing quite irritated. Numerous times Elaina had written that she didn’t care. However, she had, very much so, and wondered if she’d written the words to convince herself.
I’m not one of those ninnies to suffer from nerves and I’ve never had the need for smelling salts in my life, but today Lord Trent came to my rescue and he was quite magnificent.
Lucian and I had gone to the park for a stroll. He hadn’t wanted to go but indulged me this time. Such a lovely day and the weather was quite perfect. We stopped to speak with many acquaintances, but it soon grew tiresome when the ladies I thought were friends of mine focused most of their attention on my brother. It was quite disgraceful the way they flirted and batted their eyelashes. I suppose I can understand their interest. Lucian is the Earl of Garretson and in need of a wife, which is the only reason anyone would want him as a husband.
Elaina set the journal aside and sipped her tea. Had she really been so young and naive? It was only six years ago.
Why wasn’t Lucian married? He was thirty this year and shouldn’t put these matters off.
It wasn’t her concern and perhaps there was someone he was courting or had courted but Elaina’s return had interrupted his quest for a wife. She would need to ask him later.
Picking up the journal, she continued to read.
While Lucian was being flirted with, I wandered away, unable to witness such blatant displays any longer.
I don’t know where the horse came from, but it shouldn’t have been running so fast, and the rider should have seen that his steed remain on Rotten Row, or at least have better control over the beast. As ladies screamed and gentlemen yelled, I looked back to find a black Arabian bearing down on me. As I turned to get out of its path, I tripped on a parasol that had been dropped and fell. I expected my life to be over, but from nowhere someone scooped me up and carried me out of harm’s path. When I looked up, it was into the face of Lord Tristan Trent. He’d saved me and in an instant all his ignoring me was forgiven.
Lord Trent moved me away from the crowd before he set me back on my feet, though I was in no hurry to leave his arms. They were quite strong and comfortable, if I am to be honest, but as we were in Hyde Park, observed by many, it wasn’t as if he could continue to carry me around. However, as I attempted to stand once again, pain shot into my left ankle and up my leg and I nearly fell into him. It was very embarrassing, as I am at all times poised and I didn’t wish for him to think me forward, but the pain was quite sharp.
By this time, Lucian had pulled himself away from his harem to be at my side.
Harem! I’ve not thought of it as such, but it might as well be with all the giggling misses who constantly surround him. And he, the sultan, deciding who he might show favor to. No wonder his ego was matched to Lord Trent’s, and possibly worse.
It doesn’t matter. Lucian and his harem aren’t my concern because I’d finally gained the attention of Lord Trent. Not in the most favorable of ways, but as I’d been waiting nearly a fortnight for him to notice me again, I was happy with the circumstance, until it proved too difficult for me to walk.
As Lucian wondered how he would get me home, Lord Trent kindly offered to deliver me. He’d brought his carriage but it was waiting at the entrance.
Immediately my injury wasn’t so painful as I’d be able to spend more time with Lord Trent. Unfortunately, I’d need to get from my place in the middle of the park to the entrance, something that was impossible since I still couldn’t put any pressure on my ankle.
When Lucian announced that I’d need to be carried, I looked to Lord Trent. After all, he’d been the one to swoop in and rescue me and his arms were strong enough to hold me. Just as I grew hopeful, my brother, picked me up. My brother!
Why did he even have to be there? He had ruined a perfect opportunity.
But all was for naught because soon I was settled into Lord Trent’s plush carriage, Lucian by my side, unfortunately, Lord Trent joined us.
He didn’t simply drop us at our townhouse either but came inside as well. He sat with me as Lucian sent for a doctor and tea and cakes were delivered. He left the sitting room only long enough for the doctor to examine my ankle. He proclaimed that it was sprained and that I was to remain off of it for a few days until it no longer pained me to stand and walk. Lucian insisted that I retire to my chamber and rest. It wasn’t as if I was ill, simply injured, and as long as Lord Trent was in our sitting room, I was not going to be anywhere else.
The afternoon was truly delightful because Lord Trent stayed far longer than the suggested fifteen minutes. Even better was that he had no prepared poetry to read to me. I really do abhor poetry, nearly as much as I abhor reading Radcliffe novels.
We took tea and spoke on polite topics. Of course, I thanked him for saving me, but our conversation was stilted with my brother still in the room. At least it was stilted for me.
When Lucian was finally called away to attend an estate matter, I feared that Lord Trent would leave as well. Instead he announced that he’d keep me company until Lucian’s return and suddenly, my ankle no longer pained me so very much.
I asked where he’d come from because I’d not seen him in the park, and he confessed that I was not meant to see him.
I hadn’t understood and then he reminded me of the awful things I’d said to him. Though he didn’t call them awful, but I had told him that I would not allow him to continue watching and staring at me this Season. As he didn’t wish to unnerve me, he had made certain that I never caught him watching, but assured me that he had been.
I wasn’t certain if I should be flattered that I had gained his attention, or angry that he’d gone against my wishes. In retrospect, had he not ignored my wishes, I might have been trampled by a horse, so of course, all was forgiven.
* * *
Elaina sighed and turned the page to discover what the next day would bring when there was a knock at her door. She scrambled to hide the journal, then opened the door to her chamber.
“Is all well, Lady Hopkins,” the maid inquired.
“Yes. Why do you ask?”
“I’m to understand that your husband delivered a tray to you. I could have seen to this task.”
“I was not prepared to dress for the day,” Elaina gestured to the nightshift and wrap that she still wore. “He also knows my morning preferences.”
“He is a marquess and should not be doing such a task meant for a servant.” It was almost as if the maid was chastising Elaina, which didn’t sit well with her.
“My husband took it upon himself to bring my breakfast and it isn’t anyone’s concern how we conduct ourselves or care for the other.”
The maid took a step back. “I hadn’t meant…”
“Yes, of course,” Elaina blew out, anxious for the maid Tristan had sent for to arrive.
“Well, shall we get you dressed for the day?” The maid pushed her way into the chamber, paused and looked around as if she were making certain Elaina wasn’t doing something she shouldn’t, irritating Elaina to no end. Further, Elaina didn’t wish to dress for the day. She wanted to sit and read but she couldn’t confess the same, especially to this maid who would report directly to Xavier once she left.
“I think I’d like to wear the lavender.”
Chapter 23
Tristan walked the streets of Farnham, visiting the various shops, looking for a gift for his wife. At times, Elaina had been very easy to shop for. At other times, extremely difficult as her interests changed constantly. She was often much like the wind. Blowing one direction focused on a task, but a breeze from somewhere else could catch her attention and she’d abandoned one project to pursue another. There was only one constant that Tristan could count on Elaina continuing until completed: designing gardens and reading.
There were their children, as well
. Nothing could take Elaina’s focus from their children. The world could end, but she’d not notice if she were with Jonas and Eloise. However, the children weren’t here and Elaina wasn’t aware they even existed.
The thought caused his stomach to tighten. The longer Elaina wasn’t told of her children, the harder it was going to be for all of them. First, she’d never forgive herself for forgetting them, even though she had amnesia. In Elaina’s mind, a mother shouldn’t forget her children, especially when they were loved and adored as much as Elaina did Jonas and Eloise. Second, she’d hate Tristan for not telling her.
Elaina would be angry with her brothers as well, and was already irritated at them censuring her, but Tristan not telling her something so important would be unforgivable in her eyes. It was something he’d need to prepare for and he hoped it didn’t end his marriage for good.
But, even knowing the consequences, Tristan knew that he couldn’t tell Elaina. He feared, as did Xavier, what it would do to her mind, her soul. Perhaps it was selfish of him, but he enjoyed the moments they spent together. She was coming to know him again, had begun to become affectionate. He just simply needed to make her fall in love with him again, to rebuild the strong bond they had once shared and pray that it wasn’t destroyed for good once she met their children.
Tristan put his concerns to the back of his mind. He could argue with himself as to what was the right thing to do, but it would change nothing. Elaina wouldn’t learn of her children until she was ready, whenever that happened to be, and he’d not spend their time together waiting for the moment. With those thoughts, he located the lending library.
With any luck, by the time he returned to the manor, she would have finished her journal and knew their story…their courtship and perhaps she would be on her way to falling in love with him again.
After making a selection, with which he was quite pleased, Tristan waited to make his purchase when he overheard two women discussing the upcoming assembly. He was determined to attend with Elaina. He’d not danced with her in an age. Further, he’d never shared a waltz with his wife, and it was something he longed to do.