Chapter 3 #2
She shook those thoughts away. The past was in the past and she would not sully his future.
Regardless, she wanted to know why he’d left his cousin here at Rose Park, and if he was intending to return.
Was it because of what she’d said? Perhaps he’d talked to Lady Winifred before departing.
She would speak with the young woman too and discover what she knew. Then she could rest easy.
A few minutes later, she was entering Lady Winifred’s room. Sunlight filled the pink, dainty space that seemed to mirror the young woman’s personality.
“You look quite well,” Grace said.
“After speaking with my cousin, I feel much better. Thank you for talking to him first.”
“You’re welcome.” Grace was pleased that Lady Winifred had received Edward’s support.
However, she didn’t want to alarm the girl, just in case he really had left for good.
She attempted a lighthearted question and hoped that Lady Winifred would not see through her subterfuge.
“Did His Grace happen to mention if he would be joining us for Christmastide?”
“No, we didn’t discuss it. But I do hope he does.” She rubbed her belly. “I am so pleased Edward didn’t get angry with me. I don’t know what I’m going to do or what the future holds, but it is quite a relief that he knows the truth now.”
The truth. Grace shook that thought away and forced her thoughts back to the task at hand: discovering where Edward had gone.
But because it was clear that Lady Winifred and Edward had not discussed anything beyond her current predicament, Grace decided she would not add to the young woman’s problems. “I will let Cook know that we may have an additional guest.”
“Oh, thank you. It would be lovely for us to be together for Christmas. I’m not certain how Mamma is going to take the news, but Edward promised he would deal with everything.”
Perhaps that was where he’d gone. It would make the most sense.
But then why hadn’t he said as much to Mr. Elkins? Perhaps it was because he hadn’t wanted to worry his cousin if the Dowager Duchess didn’t take the news well. Grace could only imagine how the older woman would react. Edward had often said his aunt was prone to hysterics.
She would simply have to practice patience and wait.
It wasn’t difficult for Edward to use his connections to find Samuel Phelps’ whereabouts in Sussex. Thankfully, the weather had held, making the journey pass without issue, and if all went well, he should be back at Rose Park in two days’ time.
A cool wind whipped around him as he rode up to the small, well-kept cottage. He could imagine that in late spring, when the wisteria and roses were in bloom, it was quite picturesque. Off to the right was a stable, bustling with activity. He would go there first.
Upon approaching, he noticed several young men tending to a couple of horses. He had a decent eye for horseflesh and could see the pair were excellent specimens.
A young man with bright red hair peeking out from under his hat walked up to him, but before he could state his business, the lad had removed his covering and bowed. “Your Grace.”
“There’s no need for such formality,” Edward reassured him. “I’m looking for Samuel Phelps.”
Twisting his cap in his hands, the young man swallowed hard. “I’m Samuel Phelps, Your Grace.”
So, this was the lad who Winifred had fallen in love with. Edward decided he wouldn’t reveal his purpose straight away. He wanted to hear what Phelps had to say first.
“Are you acquainted with Lady Winifred?”
Alarm streaked across Samuel’s features, and his voice rose with each word he spoke. “Is she ill? Did something happen to her? Please tell me—”
“She is fine.”
The lad’s expression relaxed just a bit with Edward’s words. It was obvious he was concerned about Winifred. “Then why…” As if realizing his faux pas, he quickly retreated. “I apologize, Your Grace, I shouldn’t speak out of turn.”
“As I said, formalities are not necessary. The reason for my visit is to discover what transpired between you and Lady Winifred, and why the Dowager Duchess sent you away.”
Phelps’ shoulders sank, his eyes full of pain and longing.
Edward was all too familiar with such emotions.
“I should have stopped it, but…” Phelps sucked in a quivering breath. “But we were in love, and then the Duchess discovered us kissing one day.”
“What happened?”
“The Duchess threatened me and told me to stay away from Lady Winifred. Later, I tried to sneak into the house and find Winnie, to tell her that I loved her, but Cook found me and told me to leave.” He shook his head as he twisted the cap in his hands some more.
“I didn’t know what to do, so I came home.
I’ve never stopped thinking about her. I…
I love her most desperately, Your Grace. ”
Those were the words Edward had hoped to hear. “And would you marry—”
“It’s all I’ve ever wanted, Your Grace,” Samuel interrupted with great enthusiasm. “I tried to tell the Duchess as much, but she wouldn’t listen, told me I was beneath Lady Winifred.”
“I can assist you, but there is something you should know first.”
The lad sucked in his breath, waiting for Edward’s next words.
“She is with child.”
A wide, surprised smile stretched across his face. “I’m going to be a papa!” He spoke the words in a whisper, then met Edward’s gaze. “When can I see her? Is she healthy? And the baby?”
It was clear as the bright winter day that Phelps was utterly in love with Winifred. Their journey might not be easy at times, but the love the two shared would conquer any obstacle, Edward was certain of it.
“We can leave straight away.”