Barbara Metzger by A Worthy Wife

Author:A Worthy Wife [Wife, A Worthy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Some letters are read once, some twice. Some had to be read with crossed lines, and some had to be read between the lines. Kenyon’s letter to Aurora, his first ever, was definitely in the last category.

My lady wife, Windham’s note began, giving her heart a caress, we have arrived in London at last but are delayed here until Christopher’s health improves, on doctors’ advice. He did not have to say that the journey was a nightmare and his brother’s condition was precarious; she understood. He did not say he missed her, but Aurora decided he was too concerned with his brother to think about any other emotions. And he must be exhausted. Perhaps he was simply not the type to express the more tender sentiments. On the other hand, perhaps he simply did not miss her.

The earl wrote that he would continue his investigations at the East India Company and the shipping offices, and would send his solicitor, Juckett himself, to Bath to question Phelan Ramsey. That meant he was still not resigned to their marriage, Aurora interpreted, her spirits plummeting. Kenyon was looking to disprove her identity, no matter what he said about seeking Podell’s motives. He wanted an easy end to their marriage.

Lord Windham went on to say that his banker had transferred additional funds for her use. Oh dear, he was politely telling her that she was up River Tick. What if his pockets weren’t as deep as she thought? Lud, she knew she was spending money as if it were water, but there were so many good uses for it. And he had told her to freshen up Windrush for his brother’s arrival.

Aunt Ellenette had written to him, it seemed. I understand it is a difficult situation, one you were not prepared for, but please try to ease the turmoil in the house. He obviously agreed with his sister that Aurora was not equipped to manage a great estate. Well, she was at least trying, unlike his last countess. And she would not give Frederick his own chair at the dinner table, no matter how upset Aunt Ellenette said he was. And no matter how many tattletale letters she wrote.

Kenyon’s next paragraph was even more damning. He asked her, no, it sounded more like a warning, to be circumspect among the neighbors because he wanted no more scandal attached to his family name. He didn’t trust her; that was plain as pudding. What, did he think she was going to run off with the vicar or something? Or did he think that she enjoyed being the center of gossip? No wonder Kenyon did not miss her if he believed she was like the deceitful Genevieve.

Aurora was upset. All her exhausting efforts had gone to make his home more comfortable, to lift some of the burdens of responsibility from his shoulders, to share his concerns. And he thought she was a spendthrift, a troublemaker, an adventuress, uncultured, unreliable, and unlovable. Her eyes were filling, making it hard to read the last lines: When in doubt, consult my sister.

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