* * *
Rowena had longed to be alone with him again ever since their sudden separation at the dinner. However, now that she was opposite him, she felt herself swept away by a wave of emotion. It felt good to be near him, all alone with him save for his brother who had made his way to the opposite end of the church. He stood to the side in front of a painting, pretending to be captivated by the artwork.
“Your Grace,” she smiled at him, suddenly at a loss for words.
“Lady Rowena, I am ever so pleased to see you again. I have longed to…” his words trailed off and he tilted his head to one side, squinting at her, “something is the matter. Is it I? Is my presence troubling you? I assure you I had no intention to make you uncomfortable. It is just that I–” He hesitated and she watched as he bit his lip, like an unsure schoolboy.
Despite her bad mood, it made her smile to see him so suddenly shy and unsure, for she felt the same whenever she was near him.
“It is just what, Your Grace?”
He blinked and looked at a her, a sparkle now in his eyes.
“It is just that I have longed to be alone with you ever since our evening last week and I have not had the opportunity. I…I know we have only known one another a short period of time, but I must confess that I think of you day and night and I do not care that it isn’t right to tell you what I think. I do not care that–”
To her own surprise, she reached out and placed her hand on his arm.
“I feel the same,” she heard herself say. Shocked that such words had crossed her lips, and for a man she was not promised to at that, Rowena cast her eyes down. Her heart beat out of her chest. She felt him place his hand over hers, squeezing it gently.
“I cannot tell you how much it means to me to hear these words.”
She looked up, sadness settling in her eyes.
“And yet, you know that there is nothing we can do about these feelings. You saw this for yourself today. My family is settled on my marriage to the Duke of Thornmouth. I am not in a position to make my own choice. And Lord Thornmouth is to make an offer of marriage soon, as you heard. My Father told me the Duke has requested an audience to discuss the terms after the trial.”
She could tell by the sharp intake of air that Christopher had been unaware of this development. She had longed for nothing but to get away from Thornmouth all day. While his affection for her rang true, she’d wanted to be near Christopher, stand beside him, and talk to him as they did now.
“Come, sit with me,” he said and led her to the pew to their left. As they sat, she found herself shocked at the closeness with which they took their seats. He was so close to her that she could feel the heat radiating of his body. When she moved their legs briefly touched, sending shockwaves up her spine.
“I will do all I can to keep the Duke from making an official offer. He will have to wait for some time now, in any case. He will be required in Cambridgeshire for some time. And we will be in Shropshire.”
Her big, brown eyes that were so soulful blinked at him. He smiled and filled her in on the events she had missed.
He has thought it all out. While I have been pondering over my feelings, unsure of what the future holds, he has planned out everything in detail.
She smiled at him and found herself, rather boldly, reaching for his hand. Noticing, he clasped it at once and their fingers intertwined. As happy as she was to be near him, and alone with him at last, she could not drive the heaviness that the conversation with Margaret had brought from her heart. And he noticed.
“You still have not told me what weighs upon you so. Please, let me share the burden of your worries.”
She sighed and leaned back, knowing there was not much time. Catherine could only keep Margaret occupied with the ducks for so long. In no time at all they would have to join her family again, and if the Duke and his brother continued to be missing, someone would come looking. They could not find them sitting in the church like this. No. There was no way. If she was to confide in him, she’d have to do so now, and quickly.
“You remember my friend, Betsy Carmichael?” she asked and he nodded eagerly.
“Of course, she is the one who so graciously saved us from discovery. She took a position with Lord Portsmouth, I believe.”
Rowena found herself relieved that he remembered as much as he did. “She has departed already. Today was the first day I have seen her since she left. And while she appears happy, I have received news, via my sister-in-law, that have left me wracked with worry.” She looked around the almost-empty church before leaning in.
“Margaret is close friends with Lady Portsmouth and she has told me that Lord Portsmouth…well. He has not just a roving eye, but he is rather personal with his servants. And…” she swallowed as the horror of Margaret’s revelation resurfaced, “Margaret told me that he has thus far not been able to keep away from any of the governesses they have employed. He charms them. He…one he made with child and put her out of the house.”
She shook her head. “And this is not theon dit. Margaret knows this from Lady Portsmouth herself. The poor woman is wracked with having to live with a man such as Lord Portsmouth, although it is her burden to carry. I feel for her. However, I fear for Betsy for Lady Portsmouth told Margaret her husband has already commented on Betsy’s beauty.”
He squeezed her hand as she told him all she’d learned. “I do not know what to do. Betsy is not the kind of girl who would give in to the seduction of a married man. I fear what will happen when he inevitably turns his attentions to her, and she refuses.”
He sighed, lessening the grip on her hand. When their eyes locked, she saw genuine compassion in them.
“I must admit, I too have heard these stories about Lord Portsmouth. It is not unusual for a noble man to take advantage of their servants, nor unusual for them to end up with child. However, I have heard Portsmouth does not take rejection well.” He hesitated and she could tell that he was holding back.
“You have heard this about Lord Portsmouth from other lords?”
