Embracing Ashberry by Serenity Everton

Author:Serenity Everton [Everton, Serenity]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, love story, Historical Romance, regency romance, regency england, georgian england, romance 1700s
Amazon: B004XTTT9M
Goodreads: 13540064
Publisher: Serenity Everton
Published: 2005-09-22T16:00:00+00:00

* * * *

The next morning, Ellie's last in London, passed quickly. Her mother arrived nearly too early for anyone to sanction, even Alexander, who appeared quite dour as he announced the Lady and admitted her to Ellie’s sitting room. Still in her dressing gown, Ellie was pleased to see that her mother appeared to be well rested. “Edward brought me to see you,” she explained. “I thought Charlotte and Caroline might be here through the afternoon.”

Ellie nodded, directing her mother to a chair so that Carrie could finish her hair. The conversation was not unusual, for the two discussed Ellie’s brothers. Richard would depart soon for Cambridge and John was to soon begin a position in the Foreign Ministry. He had already been searching for bachelor quarters near St. James and Ellie's mother reported that the previous day he had found a place he particularly liked. After Ellie’s impending travel plans were discussed and Ellie was dressed, the two made their way to the morning room. Only then did Ellie’s mother discuss the previous day.

“I can’t predict your father anymore, Ellie. He is being completely unreasonable.”

Ellie nodded, deciding she needed a cup of tea despite the early hour. “I know, Mama,” she sighed. “I’m sorry that I have caused you and Papa so much trouble.”

Lady Whitney shook her head. “Do not be ridiculous, Ellie. You are not responsible for your father’s foolishness.” She waited as Ellie began to prepare the tea before asking, “Are you truly happy? Those things he said, they weren’t true?”

Her daughter smiled, for though Ellie and Ashberry were hardly on the most intimate of terms yet, Ellie knew that they were headed in the right direction. Quite honestly, she said, “We are still adjusting to one another, Mama, but I made the right decision. Ashberry is a wonderful man.”

Lady Whitney nodded. “Edward says so and I have no choice, I suppose, but to trust your word.” She smiled fleetingly. “It’s just that your father is excellent at inspiring doubts.”

Ellie considered her words carefully. “He seems ... different.”

Her mother’s face saddened for a moment. “Not really,” she said softly. “You never saw it, I know, because his temper never was focused on you.” Ellie had no reply. She poured her mother a cup of the tea and sipped her own, watching as her mother’s shoulders relaxed.

Ellie was unsurprised when her mother continued. “And at Rose Hill, he was away fairly often. Out on the farms, in the greenhouses. Away in London.” She sighed and shook her head again. “Until Edward was old enough to come along, he even came to London without me, from February to April and again in October and November. And he didn’t interfere in the nursery very often.” Her lips twisted as she added, “Edward told me that he and Ashberry had spoken about you.”

Ellie wasn’t sure how much her brother had revealed but she nodded. “Edward was supposed to come by last night to see Ashberry but I was asleep before he arrived.

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