All London is abuzz with news that a certain banished Viscountess is rumored to be returning to London this very day to celebrate some recent good news with her family. While no one knows exactly why Lord W. sent Lady W. away—and almost immediately after their marriage, no less—but that she is back may indicate a thaw in his wintery heart. We will all have to watch and see what happens in this salacious tale of marital discord.
Jane shifted in her seat as the carriage came to a smooth stop at the doorstep of her beloved older sister, Alicia. Although she was thrilled she would get to see her family, she couldn’t help but be nervous. After all, she had not been in London for half a year. Not since her husband had cruelly sent her to his country estate without so much as an explanation about why he didn’t want her anymore. There had been none since her departure either, and any letter she wrote to the man went unanswered.
She shook her head as if that motion could clear the sting in her very soul. The carriage door opened and one of Alicia’s servants helped her down.
“Welcome, Lady Wharton,” the butler said as he opened the door and motioned her inside. “Your arrival has been most anticipated.”
“Thank you,” she said as she stripped off her gloves and handed over her hat.
“Would you like a moment to gather yourself, or—”
She laughed. “Cookson, I have not seen my sister in six months. I cannot wait another moment!”
The butler smiled. “Mrs. Beckford said you might feel that way. Come, they’re waiting for you in her chamber.”
Jane followed him up the winding stairs and down a twisting hall until they came to a tall door. Cookson knocked and said a few soft words into the chamber. When he moved aside, Jane took a long breath and stepped in.
Alicia sat in her bed with her husband, Charles, at her side. And in her arms, she held a little bundle, swaddled up in blankets that covered the precious face of their child.
“Darling!” Jane said as she moved forward. Alicia passed the baby to Charles, and Jane leaned down to embrace her as he stepped away. “You look wonderful!”
“I look like I had a baby two days ago,” Alicia laughed.
Jane frowned. “I’m sorry I missed the birth. That trip from Applegate Castle is awful in a carriage and there was mud on the road. These autumn storms have made everything more difficult.”
The estate where she had been banished was an isolated one. And yes, it was beautiful, overlooking cliffs and a violent ocean below it, but it was also very lonely. It had taken her months to adjust, though now it was better. She had developed relationships with her husband’s tenants and ran the estate as best she could.
She had no choice, for Colin did not make any effort to do so himself. It was like she and the estate were being punished together.
“You are here now,” Alicia said, motioning to Charles. “Andthisis Matthew.”
Charles smiled at Jane. “Hello, Jane.”
She laughed as she realized she hadn’t even acknowledged her brother-in-law. “Oh, Charles, I’m sorry.”
He moved forward and set the baby in her arms. “You had more important things to think about.”
He brushed the blanket aside and Jane caught her breath in wonder at the beautiful, perfect, pinched and pink little face before her. “Alicia, he’s…”
“Wonderful,” her sister said with an emotional sniffle. “Isn’t he?”
Jane nodded, unable to form any other words as she stared at the baby. She was so very happy for her sister, but deep in her heart, she felt something else, too. Pain. She had always wanted to be a mother. She’d prayed her one night of passion with her husband might result in a baby, but it hadn’t. And Colin’s cruel rejection of her made her believe that would never happen.
“You are crying,” Alicia said, reaching to touch her arm.
Charles sent the sisters a quick look, then said, “I have a bit of correspondence to catch up on after the excitement of the past few days. Why don’t I leave you to catch up?”
Jane smiled at his kindness and at the way he leaned in to gently kiss her sister before he left the room. Once they were alone, she shook her head.
“I’m being silly, of course. Babies make me emotional—who knew?”
Alicia speared her with a sharp look. “Why wouldn’t they? After all, you are being denied your right to be a mother by that bastard you married.”
Jane caught her breath. “Such language in front of your child.”
“Don’t tease,” Alicia said, her frown deepening. “You have been sequestered in that estate for half a year, and it’s ridiculous. What did youeverdo to deserve such cruelty?”
Jane handed over her nephew and then got up, pacing away from mother and son as she tried to regain her breath. “I have no idea. I have reached out to Colin over and over, but he refuses to respond to me. I don’t even know if he realizes I’m in Town.”
