Starting Again: Regency Historical Romance (The Heart of Bath Book 3) by Jenny Worstall

Author:Jenny Worstall [Worstall, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2024-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

Over the next few weeks, Mrs. Oakley slowly regained her color and strength, until one day she actually left her bed and walked to the withdrawing room. Then the next, she managed to go downstairs to the parlor for breakfast.

“This is tremendous, my dear,” Mr. Oakley said. “You are returning to us! ’Twill not be long ere you can walk outside again.”

“I look forward to that greatly,” Mrs. Oakley said. “I have missed my morning walks along the Avon Gorge.”

“But you must not venture outside till the doctor gives his blessing,” Marianne said.

“You are sounding like the mother – with me the child,” her mama said.

“Well, the doctor did say that rheumatic fever is usually a disease of childhood,” Mr. Oakley said. “’Tis unusual that you were afflicted in this way.”

“Indeed,” his wife replied. “I had thought I was far too old.”

“It must be your youthful spirit that caused it, my dear,” Mr. Oakley said gallantly.

“The post has arrived.” Betsy placed a large bundle of letters upon the table.

“Good heavens!” Mrs. Oakley said. “Thank you, Betsy.” She opened the top one. “Ah! ’Tis from my sister. She says she hopes I am recovering well, for she longs for you to return to Bath, Marianne. Apparently Nelson misses you quite dreadfully. And listen to this!

I must get Marianne engaged by the spring and then married before the summer is out, for I will be very busy with my grandchildren later in the year.”

“Your sister was never one to hold back from expressing her opinions,” Mr. Oakley remarked. “She likes the world to dance to her tune.”

And she is not the only one! For Mama will not stop fretting till I am married again.

“A letter for you, my dear,” Mrs. Oakley said to her husband. “Here.”

“Thank you.” He perused the contents. “Ah! I have here an invitation for you, Marianne, from our good friends and neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Radcliffe. They would be honored if you could join them at a ball in Bristol tomorrow evening, and they propose to collect and return you in their carriage. They apologize for the very short notice, but they have heard that your mama is on the mend and thought you might enjoy an evening out.”

“Oh!” Mrs. Oakley clapped her hands. “How kind of the Radcliffes. They are a thoughtful couple – and truly Christian; I have never heard them speak ill of anyone.”

“I am not convinced I should go,” Marianne said. “How can I leave you on your own, Mama?”

“I will be here to look after Mama,” Mr. Oakley said, “and ’tis high time you had some fun, my dear.”

“Well, maybe it would be possible, Papa, if you are quite sure? And you, Mama?”

After many assurances from her parents, Marianne was at last satisfied that the world would not come to an end if she went out for the evening.

“But I beg you to send a message straight away if Mama is taken ill again,” Marianne said to her father.

“I promise,” Mr. Oakley replied.

Mrs. Oakley shuffled the pile of letters in front of her.

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