Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 82367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82367 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
The stern countenance softened. “I watched you grow from a young lad to the man you are today, my lord. There have been a lot of stages to you, but until Miss Fletcher blew into your life, I’ve not seen this look of determination on you.”
An amused chuckle slipped free. “You saw a lot more than I gave you credit for over the years, didn’t you?”
“It’s been an honor watching you grow, my lord.” A deep breath moved the thin chest. “For what it’s worth, love isn’t something you should simply give up on because you have a plan to go somewhere else. Your Miss Fletcher is a very special person.”
Bryn nodded. “That she is.” He patted the butler on the shoulder and walked off. “Goodnight, Draper.”
“Goodnight, my lord. One more thing.”
He turned back to the man and lifted one eyebrow in silent question.
“Grandbabies do liven up a place. And a woman like her is rare and would be great at your side during these difficult times.” Draper gifted him a rare smile.
Babies. Baby. One or more. None of it mattered. All that did was now he could only think about Rosamunde swollen with his child. A little girl who had her hair and eyes, or a little boy.
“Duly noted.” Difficult time? What’s he talking about?
“Goodnight, my lord.”
This time Bryn waved over his shoulder as he took the stairs two at a time until he reached the level where his room resided. Pushing open the door, he paused at the sight of his father standing there over his trunk, lid open.
“Papa?”
The Marquess of Heartstone, a man who had appeared sturdy as a mountain since the day he’d met him, suddenly looked old. And tired.
Blue eyes were sad when they met his.
Instantly moving closer to his father, he reached out, settling a hand on the dark sleeve covering his arm. The muscles beneath his palm flexed.
“Your grandfather passed away today.”
Shock crashed through Bryn and he jerked back like he’d been struck. Had he been so wrapped up in his own business, in his own issues, like one—completely adorable, sure—Rosamunde Fletcher, that he’d completely missed out on saying goodbye to his grandfather?
Shame flared as he locked his knees.
His father immediately shook his head. “He didn’t want anyone to see him in his last days, sick in bed, son. He wanted you to remember him healthy.”
“You and Mama, that’s why you’ve been gone so much.”
His father nodded and pulled him in for a hug. “Not your fault, Brenden. He knew you loved him.”
Bryn’s mind raced. “I did. How…how are Keely and Henry doing?”
“They’re waiting for us at Stokley Manor. Well, Henry is there with your mother and Keely will be there shortly.”
Bryn nodded and headed to the door with his father on his heels. They marched down the stairs and out the front to find a carriage waiting. The tiger held the door for them and he waited for his father to get in first. Door closing after his entrance, he listened to the rap on the ceiling and took a deep breath when the carriage rolled off.
Not much more than an hour passed and they were at Stokley Manor. Bryn exited after his father and watched him stride up the steps to the large door, which opened before the new Duke of Stokley got there. The somberness of the place smacked Bryn in moments.
He stood back as his mother stepped into view and walked directly to his father and wrapped her arms around him. Bryn swallowed as his father, a man he respected more than anything, who had always appeared strong and unbreakable to him, dipped his head and settled it into her neck, a tremor working through him.
That’s what I want. The unconditional love and support.
And damn if he didn’t want to do it with anyone other than Rosamunde Fletcher.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Bam! Bam! Bam!
“Wake up!”
Rosamunde sat up, squinting at the weak morning light, as her bedroom door burst open to admit her father and her brother on his heels.
Swallowing hard to give herself some time to keep the scream from escaping, she fisted the layers of bedding, willing her heart to slow. She lifted her chin and did her best to look intimidating.
Hard to do for sure when she felt like her eyes were gritty and raw from crying herself to sleep. Throat raw from the night as well. She was destroyed.
“Why are you both in here?” She didn’t bother trying to cover herself, as she wore layers to keep warm.
“Get dressed.”
She pinched her nose and took a deep breath. “Right here and now?”
“Don’t be impertinent. We have to go. The Duke of Stokley passed away and we need to show our respect to his family.”
Bryn!
She began to swing her legs over then paused. “What does that have to do with me?”
“You were friends with the duke’s granddaughter. We are going.”