Page 43 of A Whisper of Desire
“No one was close to my father. He was merely a knight, and he hated that. He was a cold, bitter man who thought the world owed him. Were you close to your father?”
She shook her head. “No. My parents died when I was young and they were too wrapped up in their war with each other to care about their children.”
“Parents have a lot to answer for. They shape our lives. Sometimes it’s not easy to let go of the sins of our fathers. Maitland and the Libertine Scholars have learned that.” Under her breath, she added, “I’ve learned that.”
“How did Branton die?”
She gave a sad smile. “He died just before Antonia was born. He didn’t even get to meet his daughter. He would have loved her. Antonia has his eyes.” She wiped a small tear. “He died trying to save a local boy from a raging stream and got swept away with him. So pointless; they both drowned. How an elderly man thought he’d be able to combat the flooded stream…That’s the type of man he was. He couldn’t stand by and watch.”
“He was a hero,” Marisa said, a lump welling in her throat.
“Yes, he was.”
Marisa moved behind the screen to remove the last of the garments that were being altered. She donned a robe and moved to join Priscilla in the sun for tea, rolling her stiff shoulders as she moved.
Poor Priscilla hadn’t had an easy life. Perhaps the loss of Branton and Maitland was the reason she didn’t wish to remarry.
“How did you meet Maitland?”
Priscilla’s eyes grew dreamy-looking. “At my husband’s grave. I was introducing Antonia to her father when she was six months old.”
“What was Maitland doing there?”
“He told me he was riding past and had the sudden urge for quiet contemplation. He was sitting on one of the wooden benches. We started talking and it was as if Branton was telling me from his grave to grab my happiness. I can’t speak for Maitland, but it was love at first sight for me.”
Marisa tried to be grown-up about her confession. A part of her felt as if she was in the wrong for marrying Maitland instead, as it had not been love at first sight for her.
“More tea?” Priscilla asked. “It was a long time ago now, and I didn’t exactly get my happiness, but I can tell you truthfully that I am more than content with my life now.”
“You must hate me,” Marisa said quietly. “I have what you always wanted.”
Priscilla took her hand in hers. “I could never hate you. None of this is your fault, and besides, I think you’ll make Maitland very happy.” She patted her hand before letting it go. “You, on the other hand, do have the power to hurt me. I would like to be friends with you. I value my friendship with Maitland and I understand this must be hard for you, knowing we once felt more for each other than friendship, but I hope you can see he has made his choice and would do nothing to dishonor that.”
“I appreciate your honesty. I too want to be friends, but it’s difficult when you are still in love with him.”
Marisa watched the emotion play across Priscilla’s face. Would she deny it?
“I can’t help but love him, as I suspect you will quickly come to do soon.”
“Are you going to tell me not to worry, as he no longer loves you?”
Priscilla hesitated for a moment. “I can’t tell you that. I have no idea if Maitland still loves me. If he does, he would not tell me.”
“I don’t understand. If you both loved each other, why did he not marry you once his father died?”
She’d forgotten that Agatha was quietly sewing in the corner, but Marisa caught the look Priscilla sent her way, as if asking what she should reveal. The old woman nodded.
All Priscilla said was “Perhaps that is something you should ask Maitland.”
“I did. He said it was not his story to tell.” Priscilla smiled at Marisa’s comment.
“That is so like him. How much has Maitland told you about his father?”
She pulled the robe tighter round her. Even sitting in the sun, she suddenly felt chilled. “Nothing, really. Only that he was not a nice man.”
Priscilla gave a brittle laugh filled with hatred. “He was a monster,” she spat out. After a moment she shuddered and seemed to collect herself. “My story is a sad one.”
“I gather he kidnapped you and…”
