The Passionate Love of a Rake: HarperImpulse Historical Romance by Lark Jane

Author:Lark, Jane [Lark, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780007554560
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2013-11-06T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Jane could not remember when she’d felt this happy. First thing in the morning, while the day was cooler, she and Robert would ride out across the estate, just as they had done in their youth, racing across fields and ditches, Robert’s hounds in chase.

His hounds were a new addition to the fold, three of them, pale gray deerhounds. Long-legged and sleek in shape, they could run like the wind, but once they’d had their play, they were as docile a creature as could be found. When they lounged in the drawing room, washed down after their run, Mary-Rose would sit and coddle them. Even on four legs, the dogs were taller than her, but the child loved them, and they seemed to love her, too.

Jane ate luncheon en famille, a homey affair with the children, and afterwards, there was always some game or merriment, cricket, chess, cards, catch, chase, or hide-and-seek. This often had Jane in fits of giggles with Mary-Rose. Jane adored the little girl. They spent hours making daisy chains in the meadow or playing with dolls and sharing imaginary teas.

The evening meal always included John, and Jane understood this was when Edward and Ellen gave their eldest son their full attention. John was at the gateway to adulthood. At times, he reverted back to childish ways, while at others, he thought Mary-Rose’s antics beneath him. But he was good-hearted and Jane enjoyed conversing with him.

But most of all, Jane loved little Robbie. The infant was a jolly, restless, little soul, who did not like being cosseted, yet what he did like was to be carried. They shared many walks about the garden, looking at the flowers, the fountains, and the fish pond. The little boy stole such a place in her heart, she was overawed with a broody longing for her own child, a longing that would never be fulfilled. The need became a physical pain. At times, it was so overwhelming, Jane was certain Ellen must know, but she never spoke of it. Nor did Jane.

She would not have children. All she could do was make the most of others’, and six days into Jane’s stay, Ellen answered Jane’s unvoiced longing. She asked Jane to be Robbie’s godmother. The baptism was planned for two weeks hence, and so, Jane’s time became absorbed in helping Ellen plan the celebration.

It was their current activity.

“I thought perhaps tomorrow morning we could have breakfast served on the ridge when we ride out. Do you fancy it?” Robert was leaning about the door frame of the drawing room, speaking to her in passing as she and Ellen sat at the little desk, with invitations spread about them.

Jane nodded. “It sounds a lovely idea, yes.”

“Then I shall have Mrs. Barclay organise it.” He smiled and lifted his hand in farewell as he left.

“You two are getting along famously,” Ellen commented, a searching note to her voice.

“We always did.” Jane’s eyes lifted to the miniatures on the wall, Robert’s mother and father, him and Edward, and her, the surrogate little daughter of the family.

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