Chapter Twenty-Two
Rowena sat dry-eyed, her insides aching.
Had she made the right decision in sending Con away?
She wasn’t certain about anything anymore. She had always seen a clear path before her in the past. Her life had been simple. Uncomplicated. She thought it would stay that way after her father’s death. But then a handsome lord had stepped into her life, worming his way into her heart.
She made an instant decision, one which she hoped she would never regret. It was foolish to toss away the chance of a life with Con simply out of misplaced pride. Perhaps she was not as attractive as other women, but she had other things she could offer. She was bright. Caring.
And she desperately wanted a life with this man.
Rowena hoped he might give her a second chance—and that he would have no regrets in their marriage.
Her mind made up, she returned to her bedchamber and removed her dressing gown, looking at the rumpled bedclothes, seeing Con in that bed with her.
He had opened her eyes to so many things.
A world of desire and passion. A place where family stood above all else.
She worried she might not be able to hold his interest over a course of a lifetime.
Then again, even if she were a stunning beauty, he might become bored with her over time.
Rowena had seen how fickle men of Polite Society could be, turning from their wives to a parade of other women.
Her heart told her Con would not be that kind of man.
She admitted to herself that she did love him. And that she hoped he might find it in his heart to love her back, despite her recent rejection of him.
Once she dressed, she brushed her hair, winding it into her usual chignon.
She must get to Pebblestone and see if the opportunity to have a life with Con still existed.
This was not London, though. She did not have her father’s carriage at her disposal, nor could she simply walk a block and summon a hansom cab to take her to her destination.
She looked up and saw the skies were threatening rain.
She could not chance walking that great a distance, looking like a drowned rat when she arrived.
She couldn’t even go to Ollie’s stables because Aurora and her cousin’s horses had been conveyed to Pebblestone for the duration of the house party.
Then she thought about her cousin’s carriage. It took them to the house party each morning and returned them home every evening. Surely, during all those hours in between, the coachman returned to Stanfield instead of leaving the team hitched to the coach.
Rowena walked the half-mile from her cottage to Ollie’s stables, where the lone groom came out to greet her.
“Lady Rowena, can I help you?”
“Does your brother bring Lord Samuel’s carriage back each day after dropping us at Pebblestone?”
“Aye, he does. Are you needed to be taken there, my lady?”
“Yes, please. I was suffering from a megrim this morning and did not accompany Lord Samuel to Pebblestone. I am feeling much better, however, and wish to join the others, if only for dinner.”
“Give us a few minutes, my lady, and we’ll have the carriage readied for you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
A quarter hour later, Rowena found herself on the way to Pebblestone.
Her mouth was dry, her palms sweating. Nerves flitted through her.
She and Con had parted in anger, and she was uncertain how he would receive her presence.
She thought it important, though, to come now.
Anger could fester, turning into something ugly.
If she had any hopes of a life with Con, she needed to see him as soon as possible and apologize for her previous stubborn stance.
The vehicle rolled up the lane as thunder sounded nearby.
The carriage arrived at the house just as it began to sprinkle.
She was handed down by a footman and admitted by another one, who told her the guests were gathering in the drawing room.
She thanked him and headed toward the staircase.
Rowena found herself a bit lightheaded and told herself not to faint.
She had never done so in the past, and now would be a dreadful time to do so.
Upon entering the drawing room, she only saw about half the house party’s guests present.
Con was not amongst them.
What if he had been so upset by what had passed between them that he had left Pebblestone?
The thought filled her with apprehension.
It was not as if she could chase after him.
She had no means of reaching him unless she bought a ticket on a mail coach.
Even though she had gone about town without a chaperone, it could be dangerous for a single woman to travel alone in such a manner.
And where would she go? To town—or to his country estate?
Rowena knew Marleyfield lay in Dorset, but she had no idea where in the county it was located.
Even if she did receive directions to it, what would occur if she showed up unannounced upon his doorstep?
She worried she would not see him again.
If he truly had left Pebblestone, would she be brave enough to go to town next spring and confront him at the first event of the Season?
They had parted on such ill terms that she doubted he would look favorably upon her if she showed up months after their final conversation.
Her quandary was solved the moment he stepped into the drawing room. Their gazes met instantly, and she saw the surprise in his eyes, knowing he had not expected to see her tonight.
Lady Pebble approached her. “I am relieved that you are well enough to join us this evening for dinner, Rowena. I did not realize you got megrims.”
“Only upon rare occasions, my lady.”
Miss Tweedham came and slipped her arm through Rowena’s. “Lord Samuel and I spoke some about our wedding today. I would like for you to stand up with me, Miss Stanhope. It would mean a great deal to me if you would do so. After all, you are the one responsible for bringing us together.”
“I would be honored to stand with you as you speak your vows,” she said sincerely. “Have you written to your parents yet about your happy news?”
“I have. I told them that Lord Samuel and I will wed at the Mossleigh parish church. Lady Pebble was kind enough to include her own letter with mine, extending an invitation for my parents to stay at Pebblestone, as well.”
“I am so very happy for you, Miss Tweedham. I always wanted a sister, and I feel as if we shall be as sisters from now on.”
The entire time they spoke, she surreptitiously watched Con, keeping notice of where he was in the room. Slowly, he seemed to be making his way toward her as he spoke to others.
Lady Sarah joined them. “Oh, Miss Stanhope, I am so glad you are no longer ill.”
“I am happy to rejoin the house party. What did I miss?”
“We went to the beach to picnic,” Lady Sarah told her. “Lady Jewell even suggested we all slip off our stockings and shoes and frolic in the sand and water.”
It caused her to think of going barefoot during the lawn games. “I am sorry I missed doing so. Miss Tweedham and I were discussing her upcoming wedding. Have you and Lord Howell confirmed any plans regarding your ceremony?”
Lady Sarah blushed prettily, and Rowena thought how lighthearted her friend now was ever since she had become betrothed.
“I had an idea which I would like to talk over with Miss Tweedham.” Lady Sarah looked to the other woman.
“I recalled the recent wedding this past summer held at St. George’s.
The one where Lady Tia Worthington and Lady Delilah Drake wed at the same time in the same ceremony.
Since the banns will be read each Sunday for the both of us and we will be eligible to wed once that is completed, I wondered if you might consider a double ceremony, Miss Tweedham.
Of course, if you do not wish to share such a special day, I understand. ”
“That is an intriguing idea, my lady,” Miss Tweedham enthused. “And since we both wish to wed in the local parish church, it would only make sense if we did so. I would need to talk with Lord Samuel about this before I could agree.”
“And I would do the same with Lord Howell,” Lady Sarah said, her excitement obvious.
“Of course, I am more than happy to host the wedding breakfast for each of you, no matter what is decided,” Lady Pebble offered.
The two women thanked the viscountess and excused themselves, going to find their betrotheds to discuss the matter.
“I must tell Lord Pebble of this,” Lady Pebble said, beaming. “Mossleigh has never seen a double wedding ceremony in my living memory. Excuse me, Rowena.”
Now that she found herself alone, she was even more aware of Con circling about. He came toward her, and she saw the wariness in his eyes.
“I am glad you are recovered, my lady,” he said stiffly. “I hope my presence at the house party does not make you uncomfortable. If so, then I will—”
“Do not leave,” she pleaded. “Please. Do not go on my account.”
He shrugged. “I am not certain why I should stay. The house party is scheduled to end in a few days’ time, and the other guests have all paired up, whether they have announced a betrothal or not.”
“Con, I must speak with you privately,” she said quietly.
His brows arched at the familiar way she addressed him. “Then I am more than happy to speak with you. When would you like to do so? If it is too difficult for us to steal a few moments alone here at Pebblestone this evening, perhaps I could come to your cottage later this evening.”
Before she could reply, Rowena saw a footman rush into the room.
He headed straight to Mr. Tompkins. The two exchanged a few words, and then the footman exited the room.
She realized he was not on the staff at Pebblestone because he wore a different uniform, and concern filled her, knowing Mr. Tompkin’s father was gravely ill.
“Do you think it is about Lord Rowland?” she asked Con quietly, and he nodded.