Lord of the Knight (Gentlemen of Knights Book 7) by Elizabeth Johns

Author:Elizabeth Johns [Johns, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2022-08-10T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Brussels was charming, and while built on a much smaller scale than Paris, Maria adored it. The town lay nestled inside a brick wall, with lush green countryside and surrounded by a mixture of tall forests and rolling hills of farmland, the latter dotted with quaint brick cottages and barns. The city square was an exquisite four-sided market-place, surrounded by seven guild houses built for seven dukes, the Town Hall, which boasted a Gothic tower, and a bread house which had humble origins, but was a four-storied marvel of balconies covered with tiered arches. The rest of the city was simpler yet equally charming, filled with slate-roofed, reddish-brown brick houses, as well as parks bursting with beautiful trees and bright flowers.

The only thing that was less than ideal were their accommodations. Captain Owens was looking for a larger lodging, but they had only been able to find a small set of rooms above another family in a terraced house that was small to begin with. Kate and Jack were all that was kind, but it was quite apparent she was de trop. It was a far cry from Wellington’s hôtel in Paris.

Maria did her best to stay out of the newly wedded couple’s way, but she prayed Captain Owens would be able to find something larger soon.

Kate had not been exaggerating when she had said London Society was flocking to Brussels. Apparently, with the Peninsular War and the one against America currently splitting her forces, the costs in England were high and one could live far more economically in Brussels. Then there were those who did not want to miss any social occasion or excursion of pleasure. Since the largest portion of marriageable young men were quartered in the town with the army, it was a natural migration… much to Maria’s chagrin, for it threatened her wish for anonymity.

Thus far, Maria had not attended any Society events. Once everyone was settled, she knew their small circle of officers’ wives would at least visit one another. She did not know if there would be anything official, as in London or Paris, but for now she was content to walk in the park. Her thoughts and feelings were still in a state of torment. She expected she would have to face Colonel Strickland soon, and determined to speak with him about her family before he would be faced with the embarrassment of having to withdraw from an engagement.

As they walked through the park, the lovely scent of fresh baking filled the air and she sent Bisset across the street to purchase some fresh rolls. They had no luxury of Wellington’s pastry chef here—only a very basic cook, as far as Maria could surmise.

“I will wait for you here,” Maria said, gazing at the fountain. She was in no mood for conversation and was content to call her humor reflection, although those who knew her might call it melancholy.

The water trickled through the fountain, the sound soothing her as it always did.

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