The Lady Tamed by Boyd, Heather (urban books to read TXT) 📗

should have a been a long and happy marriage cut tragically short.

But Mrs. Hawthorne had friends by her side. Children who needed her. She couldn’t stop weeping over the loss of her husband, but she had many shoulders to cry on in the coming days and years. She would not be alone or forgotten. Father had already mentioned he could take over the running of the fields and livestock on her behalf until the Hawthornes’ only boy was old enough to shoulder the responsibility.

Jeremy moved, brushing against her shoulder as they turned down the drive, and when she glanced his way, another smile played over his lips. She sought out his hand, seeking his comfort and strength in the dark. They were almost home and soon they would separate.

She would have to stand on her own two feet then and be composed. But she was far from it. She’d rather curl up in a ball and cry than see anybody.

When the carriage stopped before Stapleton, her father roused and helped his heavily pregnant wife out. Jeremy exited next and held his hand out to Fanny to take. She was grateful for that hand because she was not feeling at all steady. He hooked her arm through his and escorted her inside, following Father and Gillian silently.

“Your family requests a word with you, your grace,” the butler murmured as soon as they entered the hall.

Father waved him away. “Not tonight. I’ll speak with everyone in the morning.”

Father curled his arm around Gillian as they ascended the staircase together, guided by a servant carrying a brace of candles. “Good night, Father. Good night Gillian,” Fanny called.

Only Gillian waved and then they disappeared from sight.

Fanny drew in a breath and turned to the butler. “Where is everyone?”

“Waiting in the library, my lady.”

She nodded. “I’ll speak with them for my father. Why don’t you turn in. There’s nothing more to be done tonight that can’t wait until tomorrow.”

“I was just about to arrange the delivery of tea to the duke and duchess’ chambers,” the butler promised.

“Thank you.”

“If there’s anything you need, my lady, just ring,” he murmured.

Fanny turned for the library and let herself in, aware that Jeremy had followed her without being asked.

Her brother’s jumped to their feet and rushed over to embrace her. Milo caught her face between his hands and stared into her eyes. “So it is true?”

“Yes. It was a peaceful passing.”

Milo hugged her tightly, and then Samuel did as well. “You could have sent for either one of us. We would have come at a run.”

Fanny shrugged. “I wasn’t alone. I had Mr. Dawes, and the twins were there for a time, until Father ordered them home. Whitfield and Jessica will spend the night there tonight.”

Milo noticed Jeremy and nodded. “Thank you for staying with my sister.”

“No thanks are necessary.”

Fanny cleared her throat. “Papa and Gillian have retired for the night already. As you might imagine, Papa is quite upset. Tomorrow, he’ll let us know the plans for the funeral and for observing mourning.”

Milo nodded. “I’ve already decided to stay on for longer than I’d planned, keep his spirits up.”

“I’ll be staying, too,” Samuel added. “The twins are always a good distraction and with the duchess due soon, and him fretting all the time over her, I think it is doubly important to stay.”

They all looked at Fanny, but she had made no similar decision. She hadn’t even considered what happened after the wedding, if there would still be one. “You should head for bed.”

“What about you?”

“I am for bed, too, shortly.”

Milo kissed her brow. “Don’t stay up too long.”

“Wake me if you find you cannot sleep,” Samuel offered.

The pair filed out, leaving Jeremy and Fanny alone in the library. She loved her papa’s library, but women were not really allowed to linger without his permission. She remembered spying on him reading here when she’d been a girl. He’d always known when he was being watched and used to let her come in if she promised to be very quiet.

Jeremy began putting out the candles, circling the room until only one remained burning on a table beside Fanny. He paused and then slowly doused it, too.

Fanny reached for him and found herself enfolded in Jeremy’s arms once more. There was a gentle strength about him that she found entirely comforting. His heart beat steadily under her cheek, soothing her. She wished she could stay like this forever. But no one stayed forever.

She drew back from him.

“Time for bed for you, too,” he suggested in a whisper.

“Yes, bed.”

Her bed, alone, where she would imagine the day over and over again and probably not sleep a wink.

Jeremy’s fingers twined with hers and he pulled her toward the hall. Fanny followed his lead, through the silent house, up the grand staircase.

At the top, she paused. “You’re very sure-footed in the dark.”

“Candles cost money,” he whispered. “And when you don’t have it to buy them, you learn to navigate without.”

Fanny turned for her chambers and the privacy they would afford her. She was teary again, something she’d rather no one else see.

“Are you all right, my lady?” Jeremy asked as he followed after her a few steps.

Fanny wasn’t sure. She had liked Antony Hawthorne very much, but surely she had not admired him this much. How could she explain her feelings when she really didn’t understand them herself? “No. Not really.”

The man drew closer. “What can I do to make you feel better?”

Fanny bowed her head. “What can anyone do to make the pain of loss go away or lessen.”

He placed his hands on her arms. “Rest will do you the world of good.”

But she didn’t think she could sleep without seeing Hawthorne’s face and that of her own late husband in death. “I will try.”

Jeremy inched closer still, and then leaned past her to open her bedchamber door. “Good night, my lady. I wish you only good dreams.”

As he said the last, she inhaled deeply. The scent of Jeremy so close, the