Page 62 of A Love to Remember
“Elaine,” she said to the woman she had thought her friend. “You will tell me everything later. But first you will get out of those soaked garments and into something warm yourself.”
Elaine stopped rubbing warmth into Rose’s legs and bowed her head. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Rose closed her eyes and drank her tea, letting the tingle of returning warmth nip and bite. She wasn’t safe, but she was safer than she had been. And her child? Yes, the child was safe. And Drake, too, would be safe because he was with Philip.
Elaine returned, dried and in a thick winter gown, and took up her gentle massage once more.
Rose took another sip of tea. “I want to thank you for saving me tonight,” she said quietly, “but I cannot for the world understand why you betrayed me in the first place.”
Elaine’s eyes filled with tears. “I thought that since Lord Cumberland had denied your child was his, that you’d be disgraced. I could not bear that.”
At the sound of Philip’s title, the woman, who had been stoking the fire, turned their way, eyebrows lifted.
“We will discuss this later,” Rose said. It was all she was prepared to say with someone else listening.
For the first time Rose actually took note of the woman who was helping them. It was obvious she was with child. It was also likely they were putting her in terrible danger by their presence. If Lord Francis or his men called here—as was possible given the cottage was so close to the manor—they might kill this innocent witness to their wicked deed.
“Thank you for helping me,” Rose said. “You are most kind. What is your name?”
The young woman made a curtsey. “Faith, Your Grace.”
“You’rePhilip’sFaith?” The words slipped out before Rose had time to think.
A frown crossed her face. “Do you mean Lord Cumberland?”
Rose nodded.
“Aye,” Faith said. “Lord Cumberland and his younger brother saved me from—from a terrible life.”
Now it was more than the pain in her hands and feet that made her want to weep. “When is your child due?”
Faith smiled and patted her belly. “In three months.”
That meant Philip had been with Faith while in a relationship with Rose. No wonder he did not want to marry her. He did not love her as she loved him.
“His Lordship has been most kind.” Faith sounded almost tender.
“I’m sure he has. He’s a kind man.” Rose meant the words.
“Yes, he gave me a job at the big house and even found me a husband.” Her hand rubbed over the large swell under her apron. “My child won’t be born out of wedlock as I’d feared.”
Unlike the child Rose carried. Could she force Philip’s hand by telling him of the child? The past few hours had made her sure of one thing: she would sacrifice anything, her life, her happiness, for the innocent little life she carried. She would even marry a man who did not really love her, to protect it.
If she survived this kidnapping.
Rose glanced toward the door. “Is your husband at home? There are some very bad men looking for me.”
Faith shook her head and her face softened. “But he should be back soon. He went to the market. He doesn’t like leaving me on my own, but we wanted to sell our cheese before the snow sets in.”
“Your arranged marriage is to your liking, I take it?” Rose said, hardly aware of what she was saying.
Faith nodded. “Yes, Your Grace. David is a fine man. I think I fell in love the moment we met. He took my hand, and smiled, and bowed over my hand as if I were a proper lady.” She looked down at her bump. “He loves me and is prepared to raise another man’s child. I did not know men as kind existed in this world.”
Rose bit her lip against a tart reply. Of course the man would be happy to bring up an earl’s bastard. Philip would, no doubt, provide a large regular payment for the child’s keep.
Suddenly, the door handle rattled. All three women froze.
Then, as the handle began to turn, Elaine jumped in front of her mistress, and Faith rose to her feet.
