Page 114 of Crash Landing
Trajan liked him, too. He was as eccentric as his own father had been. However, he was aging and could not help out with the Weymouth properties. It was of no matter, for his sons were smart, hardworking fellows and were up to the task.
Those three, Andrew, Nathan, and Sebastian, were as close as brothers to Trajan.
“Will Lady Frampton be joining us for the holiday party?” Sebastian asked.
“Haven’t you heard?” Hermia replied. “Now that her husband has died, she—”
Sebastian jerked upright in his chair. “Frampton’s dead? When and how? And why was I not informed about this?” he grumbled. “See why I should not return to university? I have obviously learned nothingwhile I was away.”
Trajan laughed. “Stop campaigning for the deferral of your studies. I have agreed to it.”
“But what about Frampton? And his wife?”
“That toad made many enemies,” Hermia intoned. “The circumstances are hazy, but it seems a disgruntled business partner shot him in broad daylight on a busy London street, and then fled to parts unknown.”
Trajan said nothing, but he expected Althorpe might have had a hand in it. One did not cross England’s kingmaker without dire consequences.
Well, Frampton had made many enemies, extorting people and ruining careers for years. Half of London’s elite probably wanted to kill him.
“Dear Sylvia is a merry widow now,” Hermia continued. “Of course, she is dutifully in mourning for the moment. But she has made a few appearances around Town. No parties. Just a few quiet events, escorted by Lord Peregrine Althorpe.”
Trajan exchanged a look with Florence.
“She’ll do just fine for herself,” Hermia added. “She’s a lovely lady, gentle in heart but strong in spirit. Few women could have survived marriage to that horrible man. But Althorpe’s a gentleman. Who knows if anything will come of it?”
“I hope it does,” Florence said.
Trajan was not certain what to make of Althorpe and Sylvia. Was it not another bit of a mess? And what would Lady Simmons say if they were to become an item? Well, she had made her choice and chosen to remain the wife of an earl. It was likely Althorpe had gotten over her years ago, just as Trajan had gotten over Eden.
Even ruthless men were permitted to fall in love, he supposed. Why not?
Florence regained his attention with a light poke to his side. Heglanced down at her.
I love you,she mouthed.
Life felt perfect for him in this moment. A gentle snow was falling outside. A crackling fire kept them warm inside. The woman he loved to the depths of his soul was seated beside him and loved him.
He put his lips to her ear and whispered, “I love you too, my beautiful bird watcher. I’m glad you crash landed on me.”
THE END
