Ladies of Disgrace Box Set by Vicki Hopkins

Author:Vicki Hopkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance Box Set, Victorian Romance, Victorian Era, Romance 20th Century, World War I Romance
Publisher: Holland Legacy Publishing
Published: 2018-04-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The Homecoming

Within two weeks’ time, Benedict had returned from the front, sending us a telegram as to the time of his arrival at the train station. My relations with Florence remained strained, to say the least. Stefan and I had barely spoken except for polite conversation when he intermittently joined the household for dinner. He knew of Benedict’s impending visit but said little regarding his return. As a result, our interaction lessened, which had been my fault and a cautionary measure taken on Stefan’s behalf.

As I stood on the platform, waiting for Benedict’s return, I shivered even though it had been a reasonably warm, early-autumn day. My nerves pricked like needles while waiting to see my husband, knowing inwardly my heart had committed adultery a thousand times over in my mind. Even now as I saw the train slowly approach from the north, my thoughts lingered on another man.

The hissing of the engine passed before me, leaving behind the disgusting odor of oil and steel. Everything in the country had deteriorated since the war began because funds were diverted from the infrastructure to the making of weapons and ammunition. The screeching of the metal wheels upon the track grated on my nerves, and I glanced to the right and left of the car doors flying open, releasing its passengers.

Straining to see Benedict above the crowd, I stood up on my tiptoes nervously glancing around. Suddenly a familiar voice from behind me called my name.

“Grace!”

My stomach knotted, and I froze. Unable to swing around in gleeful joy upon hearing Benedict’s voice, I slowly turned my head and glanced over my shoulder. He was nearly upon me, causing me to spin around and face him. His haggard appearance shocked me as if he had aged ten years within one.

“Darling,” he drawled. He put his arms around me and drew me toward his chest.

“Benedict.” Instead of ardently embracing him in return, I felt helplessly void of affection and stood rigid with his arms around my body. My actions were despicable as if I had become a statue incapable of movement.

“I’ve missed you,” he uttered.

He released me, and I forced a feigned smile. “You look so tired. We should get you home immediately so that you can rest.”

“I am,” he admitted with a moan.

“The driver is waiting,” I announced, putting my arm around his as he offered it. His other hand carried a large leather suitcase, and he had slung a duffle bag over his shoulder.

“It feels good to be home,” he admitted. “The air is so fresh. It’s the first deep breath I’ve taken in months.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, having just complained about the smell of a dirty train on the platform.

“I’ve done nothing but breathe the stench of gunpowder, filthy conditions, and rotting corpses longer than I care to admit.”

His dreadful admission saddened me, bringing to the forefront the realism of war. I, on the other hand, had suffered nothing.

Benedict clung to me tightly, pulling me toward his side. When we arrived at the car and climbed inside, our driver enthusiastically welcomed him home.

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.