Unconventional Suitors 02 - Her Unconventional Hero (9 page)

“Well then, now that that is settled, I insist on making my apologies. My ogre of a husband is to blame for my pathetic existence, including the dilapidated state of this house. I’m beyond embarrassed to have company, but it is such a rare treat, when Griffin asked if he could call on me, I couldn’t refuse. Besides,” she said as she stepped forward and threw her arms around her brother, “I have missed you so much, I would do almost anything to get to see you again, even invite strangers into my world.”

Griffin held his sister tightly, noting that she felt much thinner than she had the last time he had seen her. To say that he was concerned for her would be a vast understatement. She was not only getting too thin, her pallor did not look good and her usual dark, silky hair had taken on a dull sheen that seemed to mirror every piece of decoration and furniture in the townhouse, though there wasn’t much.

“Pardon my boldness,” he held his sister out at arm’s length, “but how does that husband of yours stand living in these conditions?”

“Oh, he doesn’t. The residence he stays at is perfectly staffed and kept up to snuff. These conditions are only satisfactory for me.” Griffin wanted to kill the man, her admission making him fiercely angry. “But let us not talk about that at the moment; I hate to depress our company. Instead, let us speak of pleasanter things. It is not every day I get to come to London and see my big brother, you know?”

Yes, he did know. Griffin practiced a miraculous amount of self-control as he tampered down his anger and followed the ladies, led by Rose, into the pathetic drawing room. He shrewdly observed his sister’s living conditions as he went, noticing the peeling plaster on nearly every wall, combined with the large cracks in the ceiling and the musty, outdated furniture.

Right as they were about to slip into the drawing room, he reached out and grabbed Lady Adel’s arm. She looked at him curiously as he dropped his mouth to her ear, so as not to be overheard by the others. “I brought you here, in part, so you could see the life I have tried to prevent you from living. This is why I have been concerned on your behalf.”

She nodded somberly at him, as if she understood perfectly. “If that is only part of the reason, what is the rest?” she whispered back at him.

“The fact that Rose could truly use a friend. I knew you wouldn’t judge her as so many others might want to do.”

He could tell that the trust he placed in her was an honor by the smile she bestowed upon him. “You are right, Griffin,” her eyes sparkled as she spoke his Christian name, having only just learned it for herself. “I would never think poorly of her. Thank you for bringing me here.”

He wanted to tell her thank you for calling him by his given name. The sound of it rolling off of her tongue made it sound glorious, not merely a common name, but before he could do so, she turned her back on him and entered the drawing room where the rest of the party awaited them.

Rose wrung her hands with a nervous energy as she stood, waiting politely for everyone to be seated. Dipping her head subserviently, she spoke, “Please excuse me, I will return shortly with tea.”

Adel offered her an encouraging smile, hoping that she would be able to relax during their visit. With Rose absent, she took the opportunity to survey the room more succinctly. There were several dark rectangles on the papered walls indicating spots where paintings used to hang and the mantel was noticeably bare, save it were for a small angelic figurine.

Rose returned impressively fast, breaking the silence that had settled amongst the group. She began handing teacups and saucers to her guests, but her hands were shaking so badly Adel was afraid that she would drop something. As she extended a chipped teacup to her, she quickly took it to save it from that exact fate.

Adel felt nothing but relief by the time that Rose finished serving the tea and sat down herself. Blessedly, there had been no embarrassing blunders. Taking a sip of the weak tea, Adel set her cup down in her saucer and turned to Rose, “Will you be attending the Wilkenson ball tonight?”

Next to her Griffin cleared his throat loudly before giving his sister a sad look. “Unfortunately, Rose’s husband does not allow her to attend many functions in Town.”

“Allow her?” Aunt Tabitha said in an unusually disgusted voice before turning to Rose and softening her tone. “My dear, you are a member of the aristocracy; surely you do not need your husband’s permission to attend a ball. Surely if he was extended an invitation, you were as well.”

Rose’s pale face bloomed with color.

“Of course she is invited,” Griffin bit out. “But the baron always has a convenient excuse as to why she cannot attend. According to him, she has been perpetually ill for the last two years. The
ton
must think she is on her death bed by now.”

Adel watched Rose, willing her to make eye contact with her. When she finally did, she mouthed, “I’m sorry,” attempting to apologize not only for her husband’s abuse, but for the uncomfortable position her innocuous question put her in.

For the first time since meeting her, Rose smiled and Adel thought her actually quite pretty when she did. Katherine, with her ever-present desire to smooth over any situation, deftly drew the conversation back to safer grounds. “So, Rose, what do you do with your time? Have you any hobbies?”

Rose glanced to her brother as if seeking his permission to share before flying out of her seat and retrieving her embroidery hoop from atop the trunk in the corner of the room. Holding up the frilly piece of cloth she beamed, “My time has been spent perfecting my needlework. Do you like it?”

Aunt Tabitha reached for the piece of cloth, holding it close to her face as if she were inspecting each stitch individually, and perhaps she was. Adel watched her and squirmed. Aunt Tabitha was exceptionally talented at needlework, with a critical eye to anything less than superb workmanship. Adel prayed that she wouldn’t offer any of her stinging criticisms to the girl, even if her work was horrendous.

Adel watched in awe as one of Aunt Tabitha’s hands traced the stitches tenderly before looking up at Rose and proclaiming, “My child, your stitches are the most precise I have ever seen. Beautiful.”

The delight that radiated from Rose at the rare compliment made Adel want to weep, for it was clear that the girl was in much need of some praise.

“Would you care to see some of my other projects?”

“Of course,” replied Aunt Tabitha eagerly.

As Rose made her way back to the trunk, Lord Straton rose, “Please sit down, I will bring the trunk to you so you can show off your handiwork whilst everyone remains seated.”

Adel watched as Lord Straton’s jacket strained across his back as he hefted the trunk effortlessly into his arms. The trunk was large and undoubtedly heavy, but he moved it across the room as if it weighed less than a stone, though it was clear that it weighed significantly more.

It was hard to decide who was more interested in the contents of the trunks, Aunt Tabitha or Rose, but though neither she nor Katherine were as fascinated with embroidery, they too could appreciate the excessive talent Rose had and delighted in each piece that she shared with them.

Poor Lord Straton sat in silence, sipping his tea as the girls passed around embroidered handkerchiefs, pillowcases, and an especially intricately designed lettercase, admiring every piece. Adel was impressed with his ability to humor his sister. It was clear that he adored her.

“What do you intend to do with all of this?” Katherine asked as she inspected the pillowcase covered in roses. “You cannot hide these works of art away in a trunk forever, for surely they deserve to be seen and adored.”

Rose was thoughtful for a moment before a smile began tugging at the corners of her full mouth. “I would like to gift each of you with a piece. That way they will be enjoyed.”

“Oh, that is much too generous of you,” Adel interrupted. “We couldn’t simply take something that you have spent hours creating.”

“Oh, but I want you to have them. Please.” She pleaded with such sincerity that Adel would have been foolish to refuse.

“It would be an honor to own such a lovely piece of art.”

The smile Rose gifted her with caused mixed emotions within Adel, for she was honored to be the recipient of such a rare display of happiness from the girl, but it saddened her greatly that their acceptance of her gift was all it took to produce such a look. The poor, dear girl’s existence must be miserable indeed. Adel couldn’t fathom living in such a manner.

Reaching into the trunk, Rose continued to hand around various pieces, urging them each to pick the one they liked the best. Adel wasn’t sure how she’d ever be able to choose between the lovely items. With each of their laps filled with fabric, Adel chose two of her favorites—the lettercase and a simple but beautiful handkerchief and held them up towards Lord Straton, “I think I have narrowed it down to these two, which one do you prefer?”

His eyes widened in alarm. “I do not have an eye for beautiful things, my lady. Surely my opinion will not count for much.”

“Oh, you do not?” she purred quietly, for only him to hear and watched as he squirmed.

“Beautiful women are one thing; embroidery quite another.”

“Not entirely, my lord, for certainly you can judge embroidery the same way you do a woman—which one pleases your eye the most?”

Adel looked from the lettercase to the handkerchief, missing the way his eyes were roaming over her face.

“That is easy,” he answered.

“Oh? Than which one shall it be?”

“You.”

Adel’s eyes snapped up from the embroidery she was appreciating, meeting his dark, sinful ones. He had said it so quietly, she wasn’t sure she had heard him right, but the look he was giving her left her with no doubt.

She was unsure of how to respond to him, the intensity of his stare causing her insides to turn warm. A loud sob saved her from having to say anything as her head whipped across the room to where Rose was sitting, a long, white christening gown cascading over her lap.

The room went silent as all eyes settled on the sad sight before them. Rose was biting down on her fist as silent tears streamed down her face. Adel looked to Lord Straton, hoping he would know what to do, but he appeared even more uncomfortable than the rest of them. Next, she looked to Katherine, but she was no help, for her face had gone pale and she was staring at Rose in dismay.

Thankfully, Aunt Tabitha was prompted to action. Setting the pillowcase she had decided upon on the settee, she flew to Rose’s side and began rubbing her back in a familiar fashion. “There, there child. Whatever is wrong?”

Adele watched as Aunt Tabitha’s ministrations visibly calmed Rose until she was ready to explain. “I forgot it was still in the trunk.” A sad and humorless laugh escaped her throat. “I made it for the baby I lost, well the first one at least.”

Lord Straton paled, “Rose, what are you talking about? I wasn’t aware you were ever with child.”

“I have been with child five times, Griffin, but each time…” a hiccup combined with a sob stopped Rose from saying more.

Five times! The girl had barely been wed for two years, certainly not long enough to have recovered physically from the loss of five babies, let alone emotionally. Adel didn’t hesitate in going to Rose. Throwing her arms around her she said, “You poor thing. Go ahead and cry,” as she held her head to her chest.

Adel wasn’t sure how long she sat there holding the girl in her arms, but by the time Rose finally pulled away, the bodice of her gown had a sizable wet spot on it. “I am truly sorry that I subjected you to such an embarrassing display of emotions. We have barely become friends, and now I am certain you will never wish to visit again.”

“On the contrary,” Adel assured her as she looked from Aunt Tabitha to Katherine. “We would be delighted to call on you again. Would that be agreeable to you?”

“I would like that very much. And next time, I will promise not to cry.”

“I will not hold you to that promise. If you wish to cry, by all means do so.”

They rode back to their townhouse in silence, a somber mood filling the small space between them. By the time they pulled up to their house, Katherine looked as if she were about to be ill.

“Pardon me,” she barely made out, “but I am not feeling well. I think I need to get inside.”

Lord Straton jumped from the carriage and assisted her and Aunt Tabitha down, then watched as Aunt Tabitha scurried Katherine inside, one arm around her waist for support.

Turning back to the carriage, he hopped inside. Adel looked at him curiously. “Are you not going to assist me down?”

Ignoring her, he asked, “Will your sister be alright?”

“I am certain she will be. Katherine does not suffer from a weak constitution; instead she suffers from an overabundance of sympathy. It is likely that she has made herself ill over Rose’s plight.”

“I can understand that,” he stated honestly. “I too have made myself nearly mad over the situation, but I don’t know how to make her circumstances any better. I have offered to hire servants to staff the townhouse she is in, but if, no when her husband were to find out, she would have to suffer the consequences. Any of the ways that I could think of to help her would only be met with a bad ending. I am at a loss as to what to do.”

“It’s a maddening situation, but I can tell that you love her and that may simply have to be enough for now.” She reached forward and placed her hand on his arm.

His eyes held hers, filled with such sadness. “It’s not enough because it cannot save her.”

He had a point, albeit a very depressing one. Adel felt as if his sadness and pain were her own. It was certainly an awful feeling to feel helpless. Her eyes dropped to his mouth where his lips had turned down into a grim frown.

Something whispered to her that though she may not be able to help Rose, she could help him. She leaned forward, unable to bear his sadness any longer. In a shocking display, she pressed her lips to his then gasped as a jolt of awareness shot through her body alarmingly. She pulled back, shocked at what she had done and even more shocked at her body’s reaction.