Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
He reached up wearily for the bell to summon a footman, leaning his head against the dark wood of the dresser and trying to breathe deeply, to stop the swirling nausea. He kept his eyes closed, shoving away all the dark thoughts that wanted to envelop him in despair.
* * *
“Your Grace?”
* * *
He opened his eyes, having not heard the door opening. He gestured weakly to the chamber pot. “Take this away and bring me some broth,” he said to the footman.
* * *
The man bowed and came forward, picking up the bowl, his face impassive as ever. A huge wave of loneliness swept through Arthur as he watched the footman leave. He struggled to his feet, took the jug of water, and washed his face before going to sit on his bed, the bottle of rum in hand. He stared blearily at nothing, swaying a bit from side to side as he wondered what he was doing with his life and how he could just end it all.
Janice woke up early and decided to pick up flowers in the garden. Anne had the right idea; it truly did brighten up the breakfast table. She needed that. After her moment of grace yesterday, she’d tried to look at the world optimistically.
* * *
Truly nothing has really changed since before I went to London. I’m still the same girl, my family still loves me. Nothing is different. It’s just that someone saw the duke of Hampton kiss me. It isn’t the end of the world.
* * *
“It wasn’t even our first kiss.” She sighed, shoulders drooping.
* * *
However much she tried to deny it, she did feel down. Her encounter with Lord Hemsworth hadn’t helped matters any. He was the most blatant in his disrespect but he was not the only one. She’d hardly dared to wear her breeches even in the safety of her own home since. Before this, she’d been an eccentric.
* * *
‘That strange Raven girl with no manners.’
* * *
Now she was something different in the eyes of the gentry. A hussy. Not deserving of respect. She bore it in silence because she didn’t want her family to know how much it bothered her.
* * *
She heard a hail and turned to see her brother approaching, in company with Hubert who had grown in leaps and bounds. She stopped to wait for them to catch up to her.
* * *
“Frederick. Since when are you an early riser?”
* * *
He gave her a sardonic look. “I’m always an early riser. I simply prefer to stay in my chambers and start my day with prayer and reflection.”
* * *
That surprised a laugh out of Janice. She stared at her brother in disbelief. “Are you not the same one always arguing with Uncle Keith about the veracity of the Bible?”
* * *
“I didn’t say I wasn’t a thinking man.” He took her hand and resumed walking, “What are the flowers for?”
* * *
“The breakfast table. It brightens up the room, does it not?”
* * *
Frederick stopped walking and turned to face her, his face serious. “What can we do to brighten you up? What can I do? I will find you a husband if that’s what you want.”
* * *
Janice laughed quietly. “That’s kind. But not necessary.”
* * *
He opened his mouth to protest but she held up a hand to stop him.
* * *
“I feel sad, at the moment. I have to feel like this because a sad thing happened to me. But then this too shall pass. Because I have a family that is a great support and I will survive this.”
* * *
Frederick sighed, before pulling her close and embracing her. “Yes you will,” he said fiercely. “You will.”
* * *
“I know, brother.”
* * *
He stepped back and stared at her intently. “You know, I do not have a wife and I am almost an old man.”
* * *
They resumed walking. “Why don’t you get married, Frederick?” she asked curiously.
* * *
He snorted. “And leave you all alone? No thank you. I shall marry once you’re all settled.”
* * *
She looked up at him, shaking her head. “You don’t have to wait for that. We shall be fine.”
* * *
“Of course.” He nodded his head again and again, “You’re right. But for my own peace of mind, I have to wait.”
* * *
Janice blinked at him as if seeing him for the first time. “Is there somebody you would like to marry?”
* * *
He grinned. “I do not allow myself to think that way.”
* * *
Janice sighed, realizing that she was not the only one who had things to overcome. She squeezed his arm. “Well, as much as you’d like to see us settled, I too would like to see you happy.”
“I am happy.” He gave her a sidelong glance, and she returned it with a skeptical one of her own. “Well, as happy as possible.”