Queen of Hearts by Tracy Cooper-Posey

Author:Tracy Cooper-Posey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Victorian Era Historical Romance
Publisher: Stories Rule Press
Published: 2019-07-12T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Hilsea, Portsea Island, Portsmouth, Hampshire, Britain. June 1878.

The rainstorm which broke over Portsmouth, the night Mairin and Iefan sat by her fire and listened to everything Sadie cared to share about River and her life on the plains, lasted for another four days. The drizzle matched her mood.

Even though there was no longer any need to avoid society, Sadie was not inclined to do more than travel to the Queen to take care of business matters which could not be concluded at the house. Otherwise, she lingered by the fire, doing the smallest amount possible to see the day through.

Telling Mairin and Iefan about River had opened memories she had kept tightly closed. Now they slipped into her mind at all hours of the day, catching her by surprise and making her heart thud.

On the Saturday, an impromptu visitor was announced by Mrs. McCarthy. “Lady Eleanore, Countess of Innesford,” she intoned.

“Here?” Sadie said, glancing around the drawing room with a startled scan to see what was out of place or inappropriate.

“I am, indeed, here,” said the woman who stepped in behind Mrs. McCarthy. She had golden brown hair and a sharp chin, and she was huge with child. No wonder Mrs. McCarthy looked flustered.

Sadie shot to her feet. “Good lord! Lady Eleanore…You should not be…does Cian know you have traveled all this way?”

Eleanore moved carefully into the drawing room. She wore a simple, golden-colored wrapper over her belly and did not seem at all self-conscious about appearing in public in such a state.

“I told Cian he could not stop me from meeting my cousin-in-law, now little Cian is recovered,” Eleanore said. She held out her hand. “Hello, Sadie. I have heard so much about you.”

Sadie shook her hand and Eleanore raised her brow. “Very firm,” she declared. “May I sit?”

“Yes, of course. Would you like something? Anything? Tea?”

“Tea would be good,” Eleanore said. “I would rather have brandy, although the doctor says I should not. Not just yet.” Her smile was impish.

Sadie had learned the art of small talk and applied all her skills to keep the conversation continuing until tea was served. Mrs. McCarthy must have been impressed by Eleanore, for she also brought out the cookies she had carefully made according to the recipe Sadie had given her.

“Oh, what are these?” Eleanore said, peering at the dish.

“You would call them biscuits, I guess,” Sadie said. “Only, these are much sweeter than any English biscuit I remember.”

Eleanore bit into one and chewed, her brow lift. “Chocolate!” she said, after swallowing. “Very decadent.” She sipped her tea and put the cup down, too. “I wanted to talk to you about the passenger line you are proposing to develop.”

Sadie drew in sharp breath, riding out her surprise. “You do?”

“Yes. Cian told me about your proposal and I fully understand why he feels it is not something in which he wants to be involved. However, I have resources of my own, and your idea intrigues me enough that I have come here to learn more.

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