Then she did something she rarely allowed herself to do. She began to sob.
“Eleanor?” Forbes whispered from beside Eleanor.
“Oh, Barnard!” she said as he pulled her in for an embrace. “I can no longer carry this weight. It is as if the sins Charles had committed are never-ending, and I cannot hide them all.” As she cried into his chest, he held her tight.
“What are you searching for?” he asked quietly.
“Pages of writing belonging to Charles,” she said. She did not want him to release her, but she pulled away. “Rose found one in which Charles spoke of Rachel and his lust for her.” She wiped at her eyes and drew in a deep, cleansing breath. She had made a fool of herself. “Please, do not think less of me for my outburst. I am much better now.”
Forbes glanced around the shelves and then returned his gaze to her. “Oftentimes in life, burdens are not meant to be carried alone. You know this and yet you did not request my aid?”
Eleanor shook her head in defeat. “This was far different from the other burdens I have been forced to bear. Rachel had been my first friend when I came to Rumsbury, and the fact that he has now hurt Rachel’s daughter forced my hand.”
“We have taken on greater challenges than searching for writings in books, and I imagine we will encounter more. We can only meet those challenges together, as we always have.”
Eleanor smiled. “You are right, as always,” she replied. “Thank you.” She turned to reach for another book, but Forbes caught her by the shoulder.
“The weight you have carried has been great, yet you have not been destroyed, nor will you ever be. You are much too strong to be brought down by the actions of another, even Lord Lambert. Remind yourself of this fact often, especially when all seems lost.”
Eleanor placed her hand on that of Forbes. “Thank you,” she said.
He replied with a smile. “I will take the upper shelves,” he said. “With both of us searching, we will complete this task soon enough.”
She gave him a thankful look. “Yes, we will,” she replied. When she returned to the task, it was with a sense of peace. It was as if all her worries had been wiped away, and glancing up, she knew the reason why.
Chapter Ten
Holden approached his father’s study with his head held high. Today would be a day of victory, and he could not wait to inform his father of his most recent conquest. He had done exactly as the man had asked, and for the first time in a long time, his father would see him as the soon-to-be baron he was.
He knocked at the door and waited for his father to bid him enter.
“I thought you would have left by now,” his father said from his chair behind the desk. “You are still calling over to Miss Skylark, are you not?”
“Indeed, I am,” Holden replied. “I thought it best to explain my plans for the day.”
His father returned the quill to its holder with a sigh. “I have much work to complete, but if you must, do so, but quickly. Every minute spent away from business is another coin from my coffers.”
Holden nodded. It had always been so, at least since the passing of his mother. “Miss Skylark has agreed to accompany me on a picnic. I believe that the scenery and the fresh air will make her more amiable to my request to court her.”
He covered his grimace with a light cough. If he could have taken the woman to a gambling hall or public house without causing an uproar, he would have done so.
His father grinned, and Holden felt a sense of pride at having finally pleased the man for the first time in many years.
“That is wise thinking,” his father said. “Women are thankful for the smallest of gestures, including picnics. In all honesty, such outings are not as unpleasant as you may think.”
“Is that so?” Holden had never participated in a picnic before. If it had not been for overhearing one of his friends, he would not even have thought of it.
“Not at all. It is nothing more than a meal eaten alfresco. You can also use it as an opportunity to get away and enjoy the fresh air while it is still warm. Plus, the scenery does ease the mind.”
Holden smiled. “I do have a question,” he said. “It is not my primary concern, of course, but it is one I thought would be prudent to ask.”
His father laughed. “How soon will you receive your money? Is that your question?”
Holden nodded. There was no sense in lying; his father knew him all too well.
“If you return today and inform me that she has accepted your petition to court her, then I will give you the first installment.”
“First?” Holden asked in surprise. “I thought the advance would be given all at once.”
“I suspected you would,” his father replied, leaning back in his chair. “I know you all too well. If I gave it to you in one installment, you would court this woman and then after a month, end it. No, you will receive an increased monthly allowance, taken directly from your inheritance. This way you will be, let us say inspired to continue courting her.”
His father had always been a crafty old bugger. “I understand,” Holden said. “I will return with good news today, I am certain of it.”
“You do realize that courting leads to engagement, which in turn leads to marriage. Have you considered this yet?”
The weight of his father’s words caused Holden to drop into the nearest chair. “Marriage?”
His father laughed. “Of course marriage. Did you believe I would allow you to remain here as a bachelor?”
“I thought you would not mind,” Holden replied with a sheepish grin.
His father slammed his hand on the desk, causing Holden to rear back in fear. “Again, your thinking is foolish!” he barked, his face reddening. “I will not have the ton speculating as to why my son, the heir to the barony, is not married.”
“I will take your words into consideration,” Holden said, forcing a smile and standing once more.
He would find a way to delay this noose, for marriage was for fools. Contrary to what David believed, no woman would allow her husband to carry on as if he were still a bachelor, which was exactly what Holden preferred.
Then a new thought came to him. His father would never allow him to marry just any woman. “Why do you believe Miss Skylark is a worthy bride for me?”
“As I said before, she comes from good stock.”
“And that is all?” Holden asked. Something in the man’s demeanor said he was no telling the entire truth.
“Do you understand the holdings Scarlett Hall possesses?” his father said. “They are vast. Lady Lambert sits on a fortune, which she alone controls at the moment.”
“But Miss Skylark is merely a niece,” Holden argued. “She is not Lady Lambert’s daughter, and she is certainly not an heiress.”
His father chuckled. “That is a simple observation,” he replied. “But you must look deeper. She is still a part of the Lambert family as a niece, and Lady Lambert is the girl’s guardian. Now, the baroness rarely leaves her home and yet she is willing to see the girl off into society? Why do you think that is?”
Holden could not contain his grin. “She sees Miss skylark as more than a niece. And if Lady Lambert sees the girl more as a daughter, then if I were to marry her, her aunt could be more open to negotiations with me concerning business.”
His father tapped his temple. “Now you are thinking like the businessman I expect you to be,” he said. “Miss Skylark can be the link that ties our estate to Scarlett Hall.” The man stood and walked over to a bookcase. He took a leather-bound ledger from one of the shelves and returned to the desk.
“Stand here,” his father said, indicating a place beside his chair. “These are but a few deeds of various properties we own. This here is for the house in London. I know you are quite fond of that one.”
Holden grinned. “I am. The location is perfect for hosting parties.” Indeed, the house was a lavish home right in the midst of the best of London.
“It will be my wedding gi
ft to you if you marry Miss Skylark.”
Excitement coursed through Holden at the prospect of owning such a magnificent structure. Yet, something else bothered him. “From what I understand, Lady Lambert is not her blood aunt but rather a friend of her mother’s. If I marry her, there are no true ties to the estate.”
His father pursed his lips. “I was not aware of this.” After a moment, he waved a hand. “No, it does not matter. When I spoke to her at Banner’s party, she insisted the girl was her niece, and to be so insistent means the girl holds a place in the woman’s heart. I plan on speaking to the baroness soon about some business investing. Perhaps I can find out more then. Until then, treat Miss Skylark as if she were indeed the woman’s niece.” He closed the ledger and stood. “Who are her parents?”
“From what I have learned, her mother left for Paris recently, which is why Miss Skylark is staying at Scarlett Hall. Her father had been an officer in the military, although I do not know what his rank was. Apparently he died during some battle in Paris before she was born, but I do not know which.”
His father frowned and turned in his seat. “There were no battles in Paris when she was born. Nor anywhere near Paris. As a matter of fact, our troops were focused on Belgium at the time. Or America.”
“Do you believe Miss Skylark is lying?” Holden asked. “I do not believe she was. Perhaps she misheard.”
His father strummed his fingers on the desk. After several moments he barked a laugh. “No, she is probably not lying. We are speaking of a woman, and they muddle facts quite often. It is in ignorance that she speaks. No matter. Before you go, I want you to give Lady Lambert this.” He handed Holden a sealed letter. “It is for the baroness’s eyes only.”
“Yes, Father,” Holden said, slipping the letter into his breast pocket. “I should leave now.”
His father did not reply as he leaned over his ledger once again.
Once outside, Holden went to the waiting carriage as questions formed in his mind. Could he truly consider marrying Miss Skylark in order to receive a house in London? He tapped his coat. And what could be contained in the letter to Lady Lambert?
***
Rose looked out the window of the carriage as it trundled along the road. With the mystery of the writings now solved, she was in much better spirits and was looking forward to this outing.
Caroline sat beside her on the bench, and Mr. Bradshaw sat across from them, his grin wider than usual. What kind of mischief was the man up to? After the manner in which he had taken it upon himself to garner a kiss from her, she did not outright trust him.
However, with the wonderful weather and the lovely landscape, she could not have been in better spirits. Even if she had to make certain he did not attempt to take liberties again.
“Do you know where we are going, Mr. Bradshaw?” Rose asked.
“May I make a request,” the man said, his grin never waning. “May we drop the formalities? I would be honored if you addressed me as Holden; all my friends do.”
Rose could not help but giggle. “Very well, Holden. Do you know where we are going?”
He laughed. “Of course I know, but I am not telling you. It is a surprise.” He crossed a foot over his leg only to return it to the floor when the carriage jostled. “I was wondering something, if you do not mind me asking. Your mother, what is her name?”
Rose scrunched her brow. “Lady Rachel Prescott,” she replied, curious as to why he asked. “She kept her name after marrying my father since she had been a baroness.”
“I see,” Holden said. “And your father? He died in battle in Paris, correct?”
“He did. Why do you ask?”
“I am curious is all,” Holden replied. “I think that good friends should know everything about one another. It is what makes their bond strong.”
Rose smiled, but she found his inquiry odd. The man had been pleasant when they had spoken before, but he seemed overly so today, as if he wanted something from her.
Then a thought occurred to her. The man was a rogue, that much she had determined. Perhaps he was attempting to make her feel at ease in order to garner another kiss from her. Well, he would not get it if she had anything to do with it!
She felt her skin heat. She hated to admit it, but the idea that he was willing to go through all this in order to kiss her was pleasing. If he wished for a game, she would play.
“Are you hoping we become good friends?” she asked. “Is that what you are implying?”
Caroline snickered beside her, quickly covering it with a cough.
“But of course,” Holden replied. “I believe our bond as friends has been deeply planted and has already grown strong roots. Yet, like any other plant, it needs nourishment.”
“Your analogy is a good one, but you forgot one thing. I hardly know you. I do not believe it wise to speak of bonds just yet.”
“Then we must wait?” he asked, clearly amused.
“Indeed. It is far too soon to speak of growing roots.”
“What is the appropriate time period then?” he asked, a hint of frustration in his tone. “I shall make a note in my diary of the exact date so I may look forward to your acceptance.”
The man was goading her! “There is no set date,” she replied. “One cannot simply schedule these things as one would a party.”
Much to her ire, he rolled his eyes. “Then allow me to ask a personal question if I may.”
Rose studied him for a moment. Should she trust him? “I suppose there can be no harm, as long as the question is not too personal.”
“Have you had any previous suitors?”
What kind of question was that? Rose glanced at Caroline, but the other woman only shrugged.
“Perhaps I have asked a question you do not wish to answer. Women do tend to hide anything about their pasts after all.”
Rose kept herself from pursing her lips in vexation. “I have not had any suitors before,” she replied. “I did have a good friend named Peter. We have known each other for years and have spent quite a bit of time together.”
“Is he handsome?” Holden asked.
Rose stared at the man.
“Was he boring, then? Or perhaps he was interested in another woman?”
“Peter was indeed handsome, but he was not boring. Nor did he have an interest in another woman. We were merely friends and nothing more. Why do you ask?”
“I am curious why the two of you never courted. Surely a fine gentleman like he was worthy of your affection.”
In that moment, there was one thing of which Rose was certain—Holden knew precisely what to say to upset her. “Peter had his dreams in life, and I had my own. We saw no point in pursuing anything beyond a friendship.”
Holden leaned back into the cushions as the carriage slowed. “Have you considered that your rigid ways may have caused you to miss out on having fun?”
Rose’s jaw dropped, and Caroline gasped. Never had she been so insulted in all her life! For a moment she considered leaping from the carriage and walking back home. And as if reading her mind, the vehicle came to a stop.
“Why is the fool stopping?” Holden mumbled. “We are not there yet.” He peered out the window and then opened the door and hurried out.
Rose turned to Caroline. “Can you believe the gall of that man?” she asked. “I have never met a man so rude.”
“He was out of order,” Caroline agreed. “And I think I detect brandy on his breath.”
Rose groaned. “This was supposed to be a day of amusement, and he has ruined it with his insistent questioning. I regret ever agreeing to this outing.”
Caroline patted her hand. “Do not say that. Remember, he is a man. They are prone to be fools.”
“That is true,” Rose said with a sigh. “Are all men the same?”
Caroline nodded. “I am afraid they are. Perhaps one day we will see an improvement in their demeanors, but I doubt it will be anytime soon. Maybe the day will get better once we arrive at o
ur destination.”
Rose smiled. “You are right. It will.”
They heard Holden shout something she could not make out, and Rose’s heart leapt into her throat. “Come with me,” she said, grasping Caroline by the hand.
When they exited the carriage, they saw a horse and cart tipped over on the road, its owner’s numerous belongings scattered about. However, it was not the unfortunate luck of the man and his family that angered Rose, but rather the manner in which Holden spoke to the poor man.
“Hurry up, you fool,” he shouted. “I have an important outing that is now delayed because of your incompetence.”
The older man gave a few low bows, his hat gripped in his hand. “I’m sorry, my lord. I won’t be long. I swear.”
A young boy no older than five clung to his mother’s skirts. All three in the family had dirty faces, and their clothing was in tatters.
Holden, however, did not seem to notice the people’s attire, and he continued to berate them.
Rose hurried to Holden and placed a hand on his arm. “That is enough,” she said in a whisper. “You do not need to speak to them so harshly. Accidents will happen.”
“No, miss,” the man said. “He’s right. We didn’t mean to ruin your day.”
“You have done no such thing,” Rose said. She turned to the young boy. “Here, I have a gift for you.” She reached into her reticule and produced two copper coins.
The boy’s tears stopped, and he gave her a shy smile. “Thank you, miss,” he said as he opened his grubby hand.
“You are kind, miss,” the woman said. “The estate we’d been working for went into bankruptcy and we’ve been on the road for near on a week searching for work.”
Rose felt her heart break for these poor people, but when she turned to find Holden still frowning, her anger returned. “Mr. Bradshaw,” she said, jutting her chin, “help the man.”
It was Holden’s turn to drop his jaw. “You expect me to help the likes of them?” he asked with clear indignation and surprise. He glanced at a nearing carriage. “I will not have my good name ruined.”
“Either your name will be ruined by helping these people, or it will be ruined when I help them while you simply look on.”
Songs of Yesterday: Secrets of Scarlett Hall Book 5 Page 10