Chapter Twenty Four
Two days later, Rose returned to the round sitting room and collapsed in one of the chairs by the cold hearth. “I’m exhausted,” she said, smiling at Iris and Elizabeth who sat nearby, both women equally as breathless.
Tristan smiled as he strolled into the room. “I saw Darby just now in the courtyard. He told me of your return and of your weary feet. He, in fact, looked half dead.”
“When we asked him to accompany us on our outing, I doubt he knew what he was getting himself into. We walked all of London and had a simply wonderful day, did we not, Rose?” Iris said, dabbing at her brow with a handkerchief.
“I cannot remember the last time I enjoyed such a wonderful day,” Rose replied.
Iris gripped her armrests and pushed off just enough to lean over and kiss Rose on the cheek before she collapsed.
“I agree,” Elizabeth said. “And now my feet hurt so badly, I’ve completely forgotten about my hand.”
Rose sat up straight. “Has the pain returned?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Only a little.” Then a smile spread across her face. “Don’t fash yerself over me,” she said, imitating Rose’s accent.
“I’ll fash myself if I please,” Rose laughed. Then she started to get up. “Yesterday, after the noon meal, Colin recommended we change yer dressing today.”
Elizabeth laid her head back and closed her eyes. “Not yet. Let us rest a while.”
Rest sounded marvelous to Rose. She sat down and laid her head back, also closing her eyes.
The day’s events flashed by in her mind.
They had walked to St. Paul’s and sat for Mass.
Then, they wondered the market and ate pigeon pies and roasted chestnuts.
With full bellies, they took a ferry down the Thames and saw the king’s palace where her brother, Alec, had lived for several months, spying against the crown for the cause of Scottish independence.
Seeing it had filled her with pride, but it had also been an unwelcome reminder that she had yet to tell Tristan about her brothers’ secret lives, nor was she even certain if she should.
Tristan smiled down at her and took her hand. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
She forced the matter of her family from her mind. At that moment, she felt very content and too tired to make decisions. “I enjoyed myself immensely.”
In fact, it had been divine to spend the day with Tristan’s stepmother and sister.
Rose missed her own mother and wee sister every day.
She felt their absence in her bones. She smelled them in the air.
She heard their laughter on the wind, which mingled with the voices of her own sweet girls.
She thought for a moment of how vulnerable and yet how resilient the human heart truly was.
Love is what made life hurt so much, but love is also what compelled the wounded to carry on.
Iris took Rose’s hand. “My stepson has always had good sense, and marrying you was the smartest thing he has ever done.”
Elizabeth’s eyes flew open. “I just had a marvelous idea.” She sat up and scooted to the edge of her seat, turning pleading eyes on Rose. “You must come live here with us when Tristan sets out again. I cannot bear the idea of you going back to Scotland and living so far away.”
An ache surrounded Rose’s heart as she met Elizabeth’s honest and trusting gaze.
“I...I...” Rose tried to reassure Elizabeth, but she faltered. Her chest tightened against the weight of her remorse. She had not expected such immediate love and devotion from Tristan’s family.
Tristan gently rested his hand on her shoulder. “Rose would come to miss her own family were she to live here permanently.”
Iris smiled at Rose. “Of course, you would.” Then she turned to look at Tristan.
Reaching out, she took his hand and then she grasped Rose’s hand.
“I know I am getting a little ahead of myself, but Tristan’s father and I seldom travel anymore.
He suffers from terrible leg pains and swelling if he is on his feet too long.
As for myself, I would just as soon stay in London for the rest of my days.
But mayhap, you both will consider returning for Christmas and stay until after the feast of the Epiphany? ”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened. “Oh yes, please do. We decorate the hall with garlands and holly, and we have feasts and parties. Mother leads father’s charity, which cares for the widows of lost seamen.
Many of the women stay here with us for the twelve days.
We make presents for their children. Oh, Rose, you will just love it.
Really, you will. Please, say you’ll come. ”
Rose swallowed the knot in her throat. “Of course I will,” she said with forced brightness.
She could feel herself begin to panic. Tristan squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. “Stepmother, I promised Rose I would take her riding this afternoon.”
Iris’s eyes widened. “Surly not, Tristan. She’s had too much exercise as it is.”
Rose nigh jumped to her feet. “I’m feeling quite recovered.”
Iris smiled. “You have such spirit.” She clasped her hands together. “Then of course, you may go. Have a marvelous time. We will hold supper until your return.”
Tristan led her toward the door. “Thank you, but don’t keep supper. We will take our meal at a tavern in the city.”
Rose walked stiffly at Tristan’s side as they left the sitting room and the great hall. But the moment her foot touched down in the courtyard, she barreled ahead toward the stables.
“Darby,” she blurted upon entering. “Saddle Tom, please, and make haste.”
“Breathe, Rose,” Tristan said, coming up behind her.
She whirled around, her breaths short. “I assure ye, Tristan, I am trying.”
Darby hastened toward them with the white stallion in tow. “Thank you,” Tristan said, taking the reins.
When they cleared the stables, Tristan lifted Rose into the saddle and swung up behind her. He cut back through the courtyard, then out the main gate. When they trotted onto the open road, Rose clasped Tom’s mane tightly and cried, “Faster, Tristan.”
He drove his heel into the horse’s flanks and thundered down the road, but all too soon the roadway grew crowded with wagons, people milling about, livestock, and racing children. He was forced to slow their pace.
Rose’s heart pounded. All she could see were Elizabeth’s adoring eyes.
“Stop, Tristan. I must get down.”
The moment her feet touched the ground, she hastened down an empty alleyway.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she paced back and forth, wringing her hands. “Heavenly Father, forgive us.”
Tristan gently grabbed her shoulders. “Rose, you have to calm down.”
Her eyes widened. “I cannot. Did ye not see their faces?” She grabbed his tunic. “They believe this is real. If they ever find out we’re not actually married, it will break their hearts.”
Tristan raked his hand through his hair. “I know. They can’t ever find out.”
Rose shook her head. “Mayhap, we should just tell them the truth.”
He shook his head. “We cannot. It is too risky. If ever the truth were to spread, whether from a servant overhearing them speak, anything, their lives would be forfeit. We have no choice but to see this through.”
The truth of his words cut through her panic. Of course, they could not end the charade. They had gone too far for that. Were they to tell the truth, not only would it devastate Elizabeth and Iris, but the wrath of Baron Roxwell would surely come down on all their heads.
Her arms hung limp at her side as she slumped against the wall of the stone building behind her. “Ye’re right,” she said. “We have to carry on.”
He stood in front of her and took her hand. “It will not be for much longer. Soon, we will be able to leave, and then I will take you home and...”
His words suddenly trailed off. She looked up at him. His brows were drawn, and his lips downturned.
“And I will no longer be yer wife,” she said softly. The realization made her heart ache worse than ever before.
He stepped closer and took both her hands in his. “I know you long for home, but Rose, I must tell you that these last days have been the happiest I have ever known.”
She swallowed the knot in her throat. “I cannot begin to tell ye what these last days have meant to me.”
A sad smile curved his lips. “You are a very special woman. It will not be easy to let you go.”
She rose up on her toes and cupped his cheeks.
“But that time is not now,” she breathed before pressing her lips to his.
He pulled her close, his tongue sweeping into her mouth, stroking, feeding the longing that ripped through her core.
She pressed her body closer, wishing they were once more on the ship in his small cabin so that she could feel his hands on her body.
She moaned softly, weaving her fingers through his hair when, suddenly, the bite of strong hands seized her shoulders, yanking her away the instant before Tristan was slammed against the wall.