Page 84 of Everything But the Earl
Owen sighed. “I worked hard for months and got nowhere. And because of it, I missed the birth of my son.”
“Ah, here it is. You’re mad at yourself as well.”
“Perhaps I should not have stayed away so long.”
“Perhaps.” Morfudd frowned at him. “So you blame yourself, at least a little.”
“I thought I was doing what she wanted.”
“Maybe what she wanted changed.”
“But how was I to know that? How are we supposed to have a marriage if we don’t talk to each other? If she wanted me here, she should have said something. I cannot read her mind.” He shook his head. “I missed her desperately when I was in London. I would have taken any excuse to come back to Wales, but I didn’t, because I thought my absence was what she wanted.”
“Maybe that feels bad, too. You want to be with her, not apart from her.”
“Yes.”
“But now you arenotwith her because you are cross with her.”
“Well…yes.”
“You are married and you have a son, so it is in your best interest to figure out how to be together. You should have a frank conversation with her about what you both want. I don’t know if that will resolve the fact that you don’t completely trust her right now, but you could also give her the chance to prove she is trustworthy.”
The letters had helped with that, but he was still unsure. “How do I do that?”
“Give it time. Speak with her in person and not via letter. Stay here in Wales until you have a better understanding of what is going on in your marriage.”
“For someone who is not currently married, you are wise.”
Morfudd preened. “I know. I am a keen observer of people. Look, Owen, your wife is lovely. She is friendly and kind and I adore her. I’vebeen teaching her Welsh, you know. I helped her pick out the boy’s name because she wanted to give him a hearty Welsh name. She made a mistake, and I know it’s not a small thing and I know you need time to figure out how to forgive her, but do not carry a grudge forever. She’s good for you and will make you happy if you can find understanding.”
Morfudd was probably right. Divorce was not an option, nor was it what Owen wanted. What he wanted was Grace, and not to feel the way he currently felt about everything.
“How long do you intend to stay in Wales?” Morfudd asked.
“I do not know. I received a letter yesterday that Parliament has been sent off on recess officially, so there is nothing pressing for me in London right now.”
“Aside from the start of the Season.”
“That is not as important as fixing what I have here.”
Morfudd smiled. “Yes. That’s the spirit. You’ll be all right, my dear Owen. Talk to your wife. Do not make assumptions. See what she wants. Maybe you can yet find happiness in each other, if that’s what you both want.”
“Well. Thank you for talking this through with me.” He took a deep breath and broke off a piece of bread. A block of Morfudd’s homemade salty butter sat there, and it was indulgent, but he spread a healthy amount on his piece of bread. “Well, enough baring my soul. Update me on the castle now. How are improvements proceeding?”
Morfudd grinned and began regaling him with tales of the castle renovation.
*
Owen arrived backat the house in time to see the doctor leaving. He dismounted from his horse as a groom ran up to take Glyndwr back to the stables, so Owen met the doctor in the drive, in front of the house.
He knew Dr. Jones, because he’d seen to his father near the end of his life. He liked the man immensely and had always known him to be kind and knowledgeable.
“I am pleased to report, my lord, that the countess is healing well,” Dr. Jones reported. “She will be all but fully healed in another week or so, I believe.”
“Oh. That is good news. Everyone has been vague with me when discussing my lady’s…situation.”
Dr. Jones nodded. “Then I shall be candid with you. The baby was a big, healthy boy, which we like to see, but a baby that large can…how shall I put this?”
