“Yes,” Hercules nodded once more.
“Please, do so,” Edmund urged. He turned to Rosalie and planted a soft kiss on her forehead. “Can you ever forgive me for not being there for you when you needed me the most?”
Her sparkling eyes gave him all the response he ever needed.
“There is nothing to forgive…”
Chapter 29
Edmund tiptoed into the girls’ sleeping quarters unable to sustain his excitement. He could not let them live in this unease for a moment longer. He wanted to hear their sweet laughter once more, joined in by Rosalie’s friendly ray of sunlight. There would be no more dark forebodings in their lives, no awful fate looming over them like a vulture, no black clouds promising rain and thunder.
He could resist his impulse no longer, as he softly caressed Madeline’s slumbering cheek. He sat on the side of her bed, silent and motionless, waiting for her to open her eyes.
“Uncle Edmund?” She stirred from her sleep, a little confused to see him there so early.
Hearing her sister’s voice, Cecilia awoke in the bed on the opposite end of the room, shuffling underneath her sheets. The gentle glow of the morning sun fell upon her face.
“Come, dear girls,” he urged them. “There is a surprise awaiting you.”
“A surprise?” Cecilia propped herself up onto her elbows. “What could it be? You seem to be in very good spirits, Uncle.”
“Indeed, I am,” he chuckled. “And, it has everything to do with that surprise.”
The girls jumped out of their bed so quickly that the whole house seemed to shake with the strength of their little feet. There was no time to put on decent clothes. He took them to the parlor, and upon opening the door, the girls could see Rosalie seated on the sofa.
“Miss. Blake!” the girls shouted in unison, rushing over to her, spreading their little arms, and wrapping them around Rosalie’s neck. Rosalie, in turn, enshrouded the girls into herself, welcoming them back into her heart, from whence they had never left.
The excitement that reigned in the room was palpable. Edmund was soaking up the joy, watching Rosalie’s loving face, sparkles in those bright childlike eyes of hers. This reunion felt like a most beautiful dream. Edmund knew that Rosalie had taken full possession of both his heart and mind, and he welcomed the sensation now more than ever.
When the girls finally released Rosalie from their tight little grip, their faces beamed with exultation.
“I knew you would bring her back to us.” Cecilia rushed over to Edmund, and hugged him, her arms reaching around his waist, as she rested her head on his belly. Edmund gently patted the back of her head, smiling.
“Do you like your surprise?” Edmund wondered.
“We love it,” the girls agreed.
“All right now,” he urged them. “Go back to your rooms and get dressed. We can spend the day outside; it looks like it will be wonderfully sunny. We can go for a walk along the estate, or if you wish, we could take the carriage anywhere you’d like. The day is ours to spend as we wish.”
“Can we really?” Cecilia asked incredulously, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“Absolutely,” he nodded, with a soft chuckle.
Squealing with joy at this unexpected turn of events, the girls rushed outside, and almost bumped into the Countess at the door.
“We apologize, grandmother,” Madeline quickly said, explaining the reason behind their carelessness, “we are rushing upstairs to get dressed!” With those words, they disappeared from sight.
The Countess’ calm and graceful demeanor didn’t change much upon laying her eyes on Rosalie, although her face lit up, and her lips widened into a smile.
“I wondered what the sudden reason for an early meeting in the parlor might be,” the Countess spoke cordially, approaching Rosalie. She hugged the girl warmly, as customs dictate, then released her grip. “It is so wonderful to see you safe and sound, my dear.”
“You are too kind, Your Grace,” Rosalie blushed, curtsying respectfully.
“I have some very good news, Mother,” Edmund announced.
“Oh?” the Countess eyed him curiously. “I doubt you could brighten my day even more, but by all means, do try, Edmund,” she smiled.
“The man who took Rosalie away,” Edmund started, feeling as if he was about to throw a huge burden off his back and breathe easily after a long time, “is in prison.”
