A Rake Reformed by Shirley Marks

Author:Shirley Marks
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Published: 2016-09-06T04:00:00+00:00

Rosalind, along with Harry and Gordon, decided to split the final journey of the day. The two servants would take the easternmost and farthest part of the route while she and Mr. Worth would visit the homes around the orchard. They would all return to Thistles at a reasonable hour for a small family celebration of the year’s end.

Neighbor Sarah Kerr had seemed much improved, despite the poor and constantly degrading living conditions. Either the cottage needed to be repaired this spring, which was doubtful, or she and her husband would need to relocate, equally doubtful.

Mr. Worth showed much empathy, more than Rosalind expected, and seemed to take their circumstance to heart and, after leaving the Kerrs, confided in her that a solution to their dismal situation would certainly be found. Rosalind wondered, because of his connection, if he would intercede and contact the Earl of Brent on behalf of the family?

Rosalind thought that quite gallant of him, if it were true, that he would see them set up better next year. She had not thought it possible that he would take her neighbors’ welfare to heart as he had. They were strangers to him. Perhaps she had been even more wrong about him than when she’d formed her first opinion.

Rosalind had met his gaze several times as she pondered his motives. Why had he cared so much for these people? He needn’t embroil himself in their problems but he had. While she could understand the wants and needs of the tenants, Rosalind could not understand why it had become such a concern of his.

Their final stop at Renfield cottage, with their four children, lasted for a good half hour. They had entered their home and sat with the family. Rosalind found a place by the fire to warm herself and it had helped her feel a bit better, although not much. By the end of the visit she realized she had not contributed to the conversation. It had been Mr. Worth who inquired as to their health, their welfare, and their current problems. He had, quite literally, stepped in when she had failed to do so. And Rosalind was at a loss as to why. She realized there was some difficulty attending and her ability to communicate was nearly impossible.

She trudged next to the sled, carrying the small lantern, illuminating their way home. Mr. Worth continually spoke, expressing his outrage at the poor living conditions of the families he had met that day. He stopped, turned back, and called to her.

“What is it?” It seemed as if he were speaking from very far away and had somehow progressed quite a bit ahead of her.

Rosalind had not noticed how or when it had happened.

“Are you quite all right, Miss Harris?”

“I feel . . . I feel . . .” But she never finished her sentence.

The lantern she carried slid from her fingertips. The numbness that hovered about her, making it difficult for her to think and speak all day, had finally made it to her core.

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