Her Rebellious Prince (Scandalous Family--The Victorians Book 2) by Cooper-Posey Tracy

Author:Cooper-Posey, Tracy [Cooper-Posey, Tracy]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Tags: Victorian Era Historical Romance
Publisher: Stories Rule Press
Published: 2020-03-25T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Two hours later, after coffee and breakfast, and still before most of the people currently in the house had risen, Danyal and Elise set out for Blackawton with Great Aunt Annalies. Annalies more than eager to see the mysterious estate which had impacted the family so greatly over the years.

“Blackawton has remained a name and an evil history in my mind, always,” Annalies explained to the two of them as the carriage rocked and splashed through muddy puddles. Both she and Elise kept lap robes over their knees, for it was a brisk morning. “I would like to have an image of an actual place to accompany that history. It will give it greater weight in my mind.”

“As it does not bear down upon this family already,” Danyal replied.

Annalies bent forward and patted his knee. “You must learn to let go of that history, Danyal. Holding onto the past will sour your innards and ruin your present and future. No one in the family holds any of Albus Thorburn’s acts against you and yours. Kosta managed to rise above the grimness. You should, too.”

“I am attempting to do so,” Danyal replied. “By giving the title back to Queen Victoria.”

“That is merely avoidance,” Great Aunt Annalies said, with the peremptory crispness in her voice which Elise only heard when Great Aunt Annalies had forgotten she was a princess and a lady, and dispensed advice she considered necessary. “You must make your peace with the skeletons in your family closet. We all have them, you know.”

Danyal considered Great Aunt Annalies for a long moment.

“It is the weight of lineage,” Annalies added. “Past misdeeds come along with ancestors.”

The corner of Danyal’s mouth lifted. His eyes twinkled. “Only, this particular past has not had the good grace to move on properly, has it? I am sure the estate will be full of cobwebs and neglect, with a sad air to add to my burdens.”

“Quite likely,” Annalies replied, sitting back. “Elise, did you bring your copy of Bleak House with you? I should like to read it.”

The journey continued silently after that.

Blackawton village was a small, charming place, with an old waterwheel mill that was still in operation, two public houses and a public stable, along with several shops and business establishments on its short high street.

Everyone they passed turned to watch the coach roll by. Danyal bent to peer through the carriage window, measuring the sleepy little village with a sharp gaze. When the driver halted the carriage to ask for directions to the manor, a pair of old men strolled past, staring openly at the grand conveyance.

“It is winter,” Elise said softly. “In summer, the village would be far busier.”

He looked at her. “You believe I see nothing pleasing?”

“I thought the lack of industry might bother you,” Elise confessed. “As you are a modern man who appreciates progress.”

“And hard work, yes.” He tapped the frame of the window, as the coach rolled on once more. “I was thinking how much this village resembles the little towns in Pandev.

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