The Gilded Knight by Donna Lea Simpson

Author:Donna Lea Simpson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: family, betrayal, widow, jane austen, traditional regency, second chance at love, british historical fiction
Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing

• • •

Nell sat by Delphine’s bed and reflected on the week. It had brought revelations, certainly, among them the knowledge that her staff would go on after she left Meadow House and would form working relationships with the new master and his brother, and life would continue for the estate. Had she held on to Meadow House in part because she felt that the estate would suffer if she left? She hoped that was not true, for it didn’t reflect well on her own conceit.

That revelation, that the house and estate would go on and survive, had come when she realized how much the staff liked having Charles there. So too they would accept the new Lord Simmons. It was best for everyone if he was allowed to take over his birthright as soon as possible, before the spring planting was begun. It was pure selfishness on her part to impede the natural flow of life, the succession of the estate to the proper heir.

She could wish that she had behaved differently in the past and moved to London in September, but she still was not leaving until Delphine was better. She would not risk her child’s health for any reason.

Lundy quietly entered, back from her supper. She resumed her usual seat in the corner and took up her knitting. “Have you eaten, yet, my lady?”

“No.”

“You must eat. Go. I’ll watch the child.”

“Not yet. Lundy, have I done the right thing, keeping Delphine here, or have I hurt her?”

“I don’t think you’ve hurt her. Don’t be starting to think that way. You’ve done what you thought right, and that’s all a parent can do.”

“I suppose.” She mused as she watched her maid’s needles working rapidly in another of the endless gray work socks Lundy delighted in making. “Any new gossip about Sir Charles or his mysterious manservant?”

Lundy’s beady eyes sparkled in the lamplight. “Indeed! Mr. Godfrey said that he has never seen his master in such a thoughtful mood as since he came here. He said that the gentleman seems to be rethinking his life, even though he has been a rake and a wastrel. You know, there is no man so attentive and commendable as a reformed rake.”

Nell bit her lip to keep from laughing. “How would you know that particular piece of information, Lundy?”

“Why, it’s common knowledge, ma’am.” Lundy looked shocked at any doubt being expressed.

“What is the extent of his rakishness?” Nell asked. Though he had kissed her with disarming expertise, Charles Blake did not strike her as a rake.

“Why, he is known to drink too much.”

“Mhmm?”

“And gamble. Very bad, that. I do not approve of young men who gamble.”

“Nor do I. But most of them do it, I am told, despite our disapproval. Anything more?”

“Why . . . I don’t know.”

“Any actresses in his keeping? Any babies from the wrong side of the blanket?”

Lundy dropped her knitting and gasped. “My lady! I’m shocked, I am . . .” She gaped, though her mouth kept moving.

“Genuinely speechless.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.