Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz

Author:Laura Frantz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance;Love Stories;FIC042030;FIC042040;FIC027050
ISBN: 9781493428595
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2020-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

24

Overnight, Rose-n-Vale assumed the feel of a tavern, its chambers no longer suffused with a dusty, sunlit stillness. Now the house seemed small and a bit moody as Xander bumped into guests at every turn, the factor’s unexpected arrival adding another unsettling element to a burgeoning household.

“My, Nephew, our abode overfloweth.” His aunt’s brows rose in wonder when he appeared earlier than usual the next morn to gain a few minutes of undisturbed quiet.

As if sensing his mood, she served his cassina in silence before retreating to the summer kitchen to give instructions to Cook for the meals of the day. Alone in the dining room, he sat in his usual place, eyeing empty chairs that were no longer simply chairs but would soon hold complex strangers. Nurse Lineboro foremost.

Dismissing his uncle’s glowing letter about her, he pondered Oceanus instead. Though bearing his mother’s mark, the boy showed little of Mattachanna’s fire and free-spiritedness thus far. Had being reared in the shadow of an overbearing relative and an especially attentive nurse made him a bit guarded and withdrawn? Seasick at the start of the voyage, he’d then fallen ill with a chest ailment. His rattling cough concerned Xander. Mayhap once Oceanus regained his health he’d come into his own.

“Good morning, sir.”

Xander pulled his gaze from the diamond-paned windows to greet the nurse. She approached the table hesitantly, eyeing a porcelain pot on a tray, the fragrance of cassina potent.

“Your aunt tells me there are no servants’ quarters in this house.” Selecting a cup, she poured the brew, then cooled it in her saucer once she’d sat down. “Might I ask what it is I’m drinking?”

“A native beverage.”

She took a sip, steam obscuring her pale features if not her distaste. “I’m finding little about Virginia that resembles Britain, including sitting at the master’s table.”

“You are welcome to Cook’s table in the summer kitchen, if that is your preference.”

“I offer no complaint, sir. ’Tis just that your choice of guardian was an exacting man.” She sighed, confirming what he’d suspected about his aging uncle. “Children and servants remained out of sight below stairs unless sent for.”

He took another drink. “Brave New World, indeed.”

“’Twill take some getting used to, these little freedoms.” Opening a fan, she began wafting it about. “I’m afraid Oceanus had a fitful night, given the insects and the heat.”

“He’ll adjust soon enough.” Xander looked again toward the windows. The sun rode the horizon, shimmering over the river in its sultry climb. Newcomers fared badly in the summer, especially the sweltering days of August. “He’s fast asleep, or was when I looked in on him before breakfast.”

“His chest still ails him. I suppose you heard him coughing in the night.”

The troubling sound added a new layer of angst. Suppose Oceanus was sickly from a lack of fresh air and exercise? “I’ve sent for a physic to examine him. Expect his arrival later today.” Done with his cassina, Xander eyed the clock, ready to begin his morning ride. “Now seems a good time to tell you I want the boy breeched.

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.