Page 26 of A Love to Remember
The next morning Rose received a missive from Lord Kirkwood, asking after Drake and saying he would call on them that afternoon. He must have heard about the boy’s cough. She replied that she would be delighted to see him.
Drake still had a cough and was excused from lessons with his tutor. However, he must have been feeling better because he got annoyed, as bored little boys do when they are told they cannot go to the park or to visit friends.
So after breakfast Rose took him into the drawing room with her. There they snuggled down before the fire while she read part of his favorite story,Robinson Crusoe. Drake had a vivid imagination and was soon romping around the room, wanting to build a fort to keep out marauding cannibals. Entering into the spirit of the game, Rose helped him pull some of the chairs together and drape a few throws from the window seat over them to create a defensive structure.
“When is Lord Cumberland coming to pay a call?” Drake wanted to know as they huddled together, cocooned in their fort. “I have not seen him since he took Henry and me to the museum. He said one day we should ride together in the park. I want to ride a real horse. Penny’s only a pony.”
Oh, Lord. Rose had forgotten it was not only she who would miss Philip. “Lord Cumberland has had to return to Devon, Drake. But he asked me to give you a big hug and a tickle. Like this.”
As her fingers found his stomach, Drake burst into laughter, squiggling in her arms. “Stop! Oh, stop, Mother.”
She let him be.
He rolled over onto his side. “When will I next see him? Could we not stop at Devon before we go to Cornwall?”
This was so unfair. “I don’t think so, my sweet boy. We have to get home in time for Christmas. We don’t want to make that cough of yours worse.”
“I haven’t coughed all morning,” he said proudly.
He was right, and she pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Lord Kirkwood is coming to call this afternoon. We cannot greet him in a fort. Let’s tidy up before we shock him.”
Drake sighed, but crawled out from under the throws. “I like Lord Kirkwood, Mother, but not as much as Lord Cumberland. Henry said Lord Cumberland might become my father. I think I would like that. I didn’t want to share you with anyone, but Lord Kirkwood explained I’m to go to Eton next September and I don’t want you to be alone.”
Bless him. “I won’t be alone.” She’d only be lonely. “I have many, many friends, and I will be waiting each week for your letters.”
“But are you going to marry Lord Cumberland?”
She didn’t want to dash his hopes. Not yet. “A lady has to wait until she is asked.”
Drake gave a little hop of excitement. “That’s easily fixed. I shall ask my tutor to help me write to Lord Cumberland and I’ll suggest he ask you. He would be lucky to have you as his wife and he would also have me to look after, too. I know he’s a sensible man.”
Heart aching with love and tenderness and loss, it was all Rose could do to smile. “Do you?”
“Of course.” Drake took the folded throws she gave him and walked quickly to place them back on the window seat. “He prefers fishing and hunting to working in his study. He told me so himself.”
“I see.” She smiled at her son’s logic. “One day you will have to spend a great deal of time working in your study.”
Drake smiled. “But not yet. Lord Cumberland said I have to learn how to be a boy first.” His brow furrowed. “I thought that funny because Iama boy. I don’t need to learn to be one.”
She ruffled his hair, hardly able to argue with that reasoning. “Then let us finish tidying this up, myboy”—his cheeky grin made her laugh—“and then we’ll see if Cook will give us scones and tea.”
An hour later she was wiping jam from Drake’s sticky hands when Lord Kirkwood was announced.
“How are you, Your Grace?” Kirkwood bowed to Drake. “I hear you have been under the weather. You look fighting fit to me.”
Drake returned the bow. “I feel perfectly fine, sir, thank you. But Mother worries about me. She fusses.”
Kirkwood smiled and relaxed. “That is what mothers do, my boy, they fuss. And do you know what? We let them.”
“Yes, sir,” Drake said and flashed a conspiratorial smile at Rose.
She laughed. “Then I shall stop fussing and say I think it’s time you went upstairs and read the book Mr. Magnus suggested—as you are feeling so much better. Lord Kirkwood and I have much to discuss.”
“Yes, Mother.” Drake’s smile faded as he started out of the room. When he reached the door he turned back. “I will practice my letters by writing Lord Cumberland that note we discussed.”
“Of course.” She could hardly tell him not to do so in front of Kirkwood. She’d just have to intercept it before it was sent. “What a grand idea.”
Once Drake had left them and Booth had served Kirkwood’s requested brandy, they chatted politely for a few minutes. She asked after his health, how his son Francis was, and the ease of his journey. He inquired afterherhealth and her plans for the festive season. When the social niceties had been observed Kirkwood finally came to the point.
