Chapter Eighteen
Rosalind cried herself to sleep. Her sadness bordered on despair and came with a dose of shame as well. After her visit with the king, she had so much to be grateful for. After all, she was cleared of any wrongdoing, and Edmond was gone. She and the children were safer than they’d ever been.
And she was wealthy.
As the heir to two estates that were at one time prosperous, she now had the means to support herself and her family.
And if the king allowed, the attention of many influential suitors would soon come her way.
She finally fell asleep thinking about the life she could have—one of balls and dances, visiting London, fine clothes, and never having to sweep or do laundry again.
Her dreams should have been a comfort, but instead she was tormented.
When her eyes opened before dawn, she knew exactly what she wanted—and it wasn’t balls, or fancy clothes, or a life of leisure.
I only want Devlin.
The tears welled in her eyes again, as the desires of her heart were like a mist that disappeared with the coming sun.
She could not see the king allowing her to marry for love.
He needed strong alliances, and a carefully arranged marriage with a fat purse attached to the deal was an effective means to that end.
“Mama Rose.” It was Kaylyn. “Are you awake?”
She quickly wiped her eyes, “Yes, sweetie, I am. What’s wrong?”
“I heard you cry out and I worried you were having a bad dream.”
The child ran over the cold stone floor and jumped into bed with her. It was only a matter of minutes before Luella and Grim joined her in bed as well.
“I’m doing just fine, sweet girls. Don’t you worry about me,” Rosalind assured them as she stroked Grim’s broad head.
The girls, content and believing her words of assurance, curled up beside her and quickly fell asleep. But she lied. She was far from fine as she tried to draw strength from the large dog and the two smaller bodies curled up next to her.
****
Loneliness weighed heavily on Rosalind, but another feeling began to emerge. It was power. Now she had choices. The estate was entirely hers. And until the king found her a husband, she would do her best to make the Capell lands profitable and the manor shine!
No time to wallow in self-pity. Staying busy will keep me sane.
For three days, she rose with the sun each morning and walked the manor’s grounds, making notes on all that needed to be done to the stables, the animal pens, and the manor house itself.
“Alden,” she said the morning of the second day after Devlin had left, “I want the estate to produce a quick profit. I may not have enough time, but I want funds for the children if I have to leave. I will not leave them empty-handed.”
Before she’d left, Mr. Kelley surprised her with a small bag of gold coins. “This is for you, Lady Rosalind,” he’d said. “A token from the king to replace a bit of what you’ve lost over the years.”
Her hands shook when she opened the bag and gold coins glimmered from the bottom of the velvet reticule. She’d already hidden the coins away.
My family will not be left penniless.
Alden, always cheerful, stayed by her side and lifted her spirits with his stories and jests.
He had recruited men from the village to start the repairs and even posted a couple in the guard towers at night.
He’d visited the village and announced that there were lands to rent and jobs to be had in the spring to prepare the fields for planting oats and wheat.
“You’ve done well, Rosalind,” Alden remarked one evening as they sat in the great hall, watching the fire crackle in the hearth. “The manor is coming alive again.”
“Thank you, Alden. The manor looks better than it ever has.” She thought of the tapestry Marta had completed and now hung over the mantle, and the rugs, now clean and repaired, warmed the floors.
“I wish Devlin…”
Alden placed a hand on her shoulder. “Devlin is a man of honor. I’ve never known him to go back on his word. If he said he would return, he will. But the king can be unpredictable. It could take some time.”
“I know,” she whispered, staring into the flames. “It’s just… I feel as though it’s been forever when it’s only been a week! I am pathetic, aren’t I?” She ended her sentence with a half-hearted laugh.
“You most certainly are not,” Alden replied emphatically. “You are in love, my dear. That is all.”
****
Nearly a month passed, and Rosalind remained outwardly strong, keeping the children close and attending to the estate’s demands. However, each night, she climbed into her bed and concentrated on thoughts of Devlin. Her fervent wish each night was to receive him in her dreams.
Some nights, he came to her in the hazy, ethereal dream world; his presence vivid, almost tangible, as though he’d merely stepped away for a moment and returned to her side.
The dreams were both a blessing and a curse.
She could almost feel his warmth, feel his intense stare, and sometimes reach out to touch him.
She would awaken with a quickly fading memory that left her wanting more.
“The quick sale of the swine litter provided a tidy profit. I’ll have enough to buy Ridley his first brood mare in no time at all, I think,” Rosalind said proudly as she pored over the manor’s ledger with Alden early one morning.
Alden smiled back at Rosalind’s tired face. “That’s good to hear. And we’ll have several sheep birthing soon. We can sell them when they are weaned to provide more funds long before the fall harvest.”
Their conversation halted as the door opened and slammed against the wall.
“Milady, a messenger has arrived from the king. Mr. Kelley is on his way to see you!” Ridley exclaimed, nearly out of breath.
Rosalind’s heart beat so hard she thought it would lurch out of her chest. Finally, after so much waiting, the king’s decision would be revealed.
Would she be married off to some lord in need of a rich heiress?
Would she be allowed to remain here or return to her father’s estate?
What would happen to the children? She couldn’t say what fate awaited her, but one thing she was certain of—her future would be decided today.
Alden met her gaze. “Do you want me to meet with him first?”
“No,” Rosalind replied, standing tall. “I will see him myself.”
Her hands trembled slightly as she smoothed her gown and took a deep, steadying breath. Her entire life, her future had been controlled by others, but she was ready to face whatever came.
When Mr. Kelley finally arrived, she stood waiting in the great hall, her heart pounding in her ears. As the door opened, Mr. Kelley strode in with his usual briskness, but she saw his slight smile. Marta and Benton joined them.
Then time stopped, and Rosalind couldn’t breathe. She blinked twice, not believing her own eyes. Mr. Kelley was not alone.
Devlin stood weary before her, wearing his usual black attire and ebony hair hanging just to his sagging shoulders. His shadowed eyes were focused squarely on her.
“Devlin…” Her heart raced.
Before she could move or speak again, Mr. Kelley stepped forward, his tone formal yet tinged with excitement.
“Lady Rosalind,” he began, “His Majesty has made his decision. I am sure you are quite anxious to hear his ruling on this matter, and I am not one to make you wait. Shall we speak here?”
“Yes, please, Mr. Kelley. I cannot wait another moment. You can speak freely in front of Benton and Marta.”
Mr. Kelley smiled in understanding. “The king recognizes that you are the sole heir to the Capell estate; however, he sees no advantage to the monarchy in granting you the Capell lands. He feels strongly that he needs this holding to secure the borders and monitor the king’s enemies.
In exchange for Capell Manor, however, you have been granted a rare gift. ”
Rosalind blinked in confusion. “A gift?”
“A choice,” Mr. Kelley continued, his eyes gleaming with the weight of his message.
“The king regrets the abuse you endured under the care of your uncle. And for that, he has now given you the power to choose your own husband. You may marry any man or no man at all. Your estate inherited through your father shall remain in your name—but he requires you to surrender all the Capell lands to His Majesty.”
Rosalind’s heart skipped a beat. The king was allowing her to choose! She was able to keep and would return to her childhood home!
“Any man? Any man at all, you say?”
Mr. Kelley nodded “Any man or no man, my lady. And that’s not all. I will let Devlin share this next part.”
Devlin knelt in front of her, his voice low. “Rosalind, I’ve come back to you, and that’s not all. The king has released me from my duties. I am a free man.”
Rosalind’s breath caught in her throat, as her mind processed Mr. Kelley and Devlin’s announcement.
“Rosalind, I want to marry you. If you’ll have me, I’m yours.”
All the waiting, all the fear, melted away in that single moment.
“I don’t even have to consider your proposal, Devlin. All I’ve only ever wanted is you. My answer is yes!”
A slow smile spread across Devlin’s face, and in that instant, Rosalind knew her decision had already been made long ago. The Capell estate, the king’s plans, none of it mattered compared to the love standing before her.
Benton and Marta smiled from ear to ear and once again Marta wiped tears from her face. Alden clapped Devlin on the back and shook his hand.
Mr. Kelley bowed slightly. “Then I shall inform the king that the matter is settled.”
Benton motioned for Mr. Kelley to sit, and they found seats at the end of the long table. Marta announced that she’d fetch wine to celebrate and retreated to the kitchen.
Rosalind and Devlin stood facing each other, smiling, but then her heart stuttered and her stomach fell.
“Rosalind, what is the matter?”
“Devlin, I must speak to you now. Alone.”
Benton and Mr. Kelley were already deep in conversation. The couple left the great hall and quickly went upstairs to the solar.