Page 100 of His Betrothed
“I did not know he had returned from Europe,” Lady Thornton said, eyeing Roselyn with narrowed dark eyes. “Perhaps you would care to tell me what led to this…injustice.”
Roselyn told Lady Thorntonabout Spencer’s mission, and how he had recovered from his injuries on the Isle of Wight. She left out the details of their new relationship.
Lady Thornton had brought her into a drawing room during the explanation, and both now sat upon cushioned chairs. “I knew some ofwhat Spencer was involved in, because I insisted Alexander reveal it.”
Roselyn smiled.
“For one day only, Alexander pretendedto be his brother in front of me. As if I would not know the difference between my own sons,” Lady Thornton sniffed. “Alexander told me that Spencer was performing a secret duty for the queen, but spared me the true extent of the danger. I preferred to continue my mourning in Cumberland, but weeks ago Alexander sent for me to keep me ‘safe,’ or so he claimed, should England be invaded. But Ibelieve he felt guilty, because Spencer made him promise to visit me often, and it usually…slipped his mind.”
She wore a faint, amused smile, and Roselyn saw the love she bore her sons.
“Lady Thornton, if you have no more questions for me, I must journey to the Tower. I might have evidence to convince the queen that Spencer is innocent.”
“Of course he’s innocent,” Lady Thornton said, wavinga hand dismissively. “But first I must know why you followed him to London.”
“But I already told you about Rodney Shaw. He could be in town already. I must—”
“No, there is another reason.”
Again Roselyn felt the power of penetrating black eyes, so like Spencer’s, and she shifted uncomfortably.
“Two years ago you broke the betrothal contract rather than marry my son.”
Roselyn stiffened. “Yes,my lady.”
“Why do you help him now?”
“We both had done things we regretted then. I knew Spencer didn’t love me, and his treatment of me…” She trailed off, hesitating to offend his mother.
“Was abominable,” Lady Thornton finished with conviction. “And I could not understand why. His father and I raised him to respect women, and his reluctance to marry made no sense to us.”
“I think I finallyunderstand it,” Roselyn said. “He never thought he could have the kind of marriage you and his father had. He implied to me that his heritage often left him feeling that no woman would want him. He had no way to tell you this without hurting you, so he…”
“He hurt you instead,” Lady Thornton whispered.
Roselyn saw the sheen of tears in those proud eyes.
“But you have forgiven him?” Lady Thorntonasked.
“Yes.”
“Do you love him?”
“Yes,” Roselyn said without hesitation.
The older woman relaxed her shoulders the slightest bit. “Does my son love you?”
“He has not spoken the words, my lady, so I cannot say for certain. He is too conscious of the danger to you and Alex, and to me.”
“Very well. We will worry about this matter at another time,” Lady Thornton said in a firm voice.
Roselynthought she might be hiding a smile, and felt herself warm to this woman who loved her husband and sons so much she braved the enmity of a foreign land.
“Now we must set these mistakes to right,” Lady Thornton continued. “I will ask for an audience with the queen.”
“No, my lady, you must let me do this. And please don’t think it is because the war is with your people.”
Lady Thornton stood up,her back straight with pride. “I am an Englishwoman now, Lady Roselyn. Why would I think such a thing? But how can you help my sons?”
