Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
“All this fuss is mortifying. I didn’t mean to cause this.”
* * *
“Yes well…I suppose we should be used to you doing the most unexpected things by now.”
* * *
“You really should.”
* * *
They both laughed.
* * *
“Come, let us see if the kitchens have something for you to eat. You must be quite hungry.”
* * *
“Well, I suppose I could eat something.”
* * *
Emily looped a hand through hers. “Let’s go then.”
* * *
“Janice!” They both turned to see Anne hurrying towards them, “Where the devil have you been? We’ve been beside ourselves.”
* * *
Janice rolled her eyes. “Oh, come now. You all are doing too much brown. I lost track of time, nothing happened to me, let us move on from this.” She resumed walking, dragging Emily along with her. Anne hastened her footsteps so she could catch up, looping her arm over Janice’s other arm. The three sisters walked to the kitchen, giggling and laughing.
The world immediately seemed colder and bleaker once Arthur said goodbye to Janice. The vein in his temple began to throb and he could feel the beginning of a headache. He decided to take a rest before heading over to the Marquis’ residence, to find out whether he’d gambled away his father’s home or not.
* * *
“Anson, bring me some tea, would you?” he asked as soon as he got back home.
* * *
“Right away, Your Grace.”
* * *
“Bring it up to my chambers,” he said as he climbed the stairs.
* * *
“Should I send Mrs. Butters with some of her simples, Your Grace?”
* * *
“Yes, if she would.”
* * *
With a sigh, he entered his chambers and lay down on the bed, staring unseeingly at the ceiling. He felt as if the house was suffocating him. Being back here was a never-ending barrage of memories.
* * *
There was a knock on the door and a servant came in carrying a tray with a kettle of tea. The housekeeper followed behind, carrying some herbs. The servants placed the tray on the bedside table and then Mrs. Butters mixed him up some tea. She handed it over with a smile. “This should set you to rights, Your Grace.”
* * *
He struggled up to a sitting position. “Thank you, Mrs. Butters.” He took the cup and sipped, leaning back against the headboard. She curtsied and left him to it.
* * *
To take his mind off the misery he was feeling, he closed his eyes, thinking of the conversation he’d had with Janice. He smiled, thinking that he should have sent for some books to read while he was here. His father’s study had plenty of ledgers and books on law and land but not much else.
* * *
“Perhaps I should send for them now,” he murmured as he sipped his tea. Now that she’d reminded him, he realized he hadn’t done anything he enjoyed for a very long time.
* * *
“Well…sometimes the gambling is enjoyable.” He shrugged, as his mouth twisted.
* * *
He closed his eyes and resolutely willed himself to nap.
“Papa please, stop. I’m sorry. Please!” He lifted his arm, covering his face with it, as his father’s whip came down. His skin opened as the cat o’ nine tails sliced it open and blood began to fall in his eyes. He began to cry.
* * *
“Percy, stop. You’ll kill him!”
* * *
He could hear his mother crying, pleading, screaming, but his father ignored her. Pearson stood behind him, holding Arthur down as Percy passed the whip back and forth against Arthur’s legs.
* * *
“If I find you reading those books again, I shall gauge your eyes out, do you understand me?” Percy growled.
* * *
“Yes father! Yes! I’m sorry. Stop.”
* * *
The cat o’ nine tails slit his shirt open, leaving a red line along his stomach. Then Percy went for his throat-
* * *
Arthur sat up with a gasp, his hand flying to his neck, looking around frantically before realizing it had only been a dream. Or perhaps, a memory.
* * *
He shuddered as he got out of bed, crossing to his bar, and pouring himself a stiff drink. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and sighed. Putting down his glass he crossed the room, plucked his coat from the hanger, and left his chambers.
* * *
He felt a lot more sober than yesterday and decided to ride to the Marquis’ castle rather than walk. Arriving at the gates, he asked to see the Marquis.
* * *
“I’m sorry, but the marquis has gone to Town,” his butler informed Arthur.
* * *
Arthur sighed. “Fiddlesticks.”
* * *
He turned and headed back home, making plans. He decided that he would also go to London. But not right away. He would leave at the end of the week. The fact that Lady Janice was also leaving for the city at the end of the week had nothing to do with it.