He rose then and indicated for his mother to walk with him. When they reached the hall, he reverted to his normal tone as he addressed his mother.
“Perhaps I do. Perhaps it is simply the company I do not adore.”
“Kenneth, Lady Sophia is a perfectly accomplished young lady. She is well-mannered, graceful, and a true beauty. What in the world is there not to adore?”
Kenneth sighed. “I have not a thing in common with her. Conversations inevitably end in silence. All the things I like, she does not. All the things she cherishes I find boring. Mother, I always told you and Papa I would not marry unless I fell in love. And I am not in love, nor will I be. Not with Lady Sophia.”
His mother’s nostril’s flared. “If not with Lady Sophia then with whom?” She glared at him as if challenging him.
Does she know of my afternoon at the chapel with Lady Ruth? Does she suspect my feelings? Even if she does not, ought I tell her? Perhaps it is not wise. I do not even know if Lady Ruth even thinks of me as anything but…
From the library, the sound of his cousin’s laughter drifted to their ears.
“It seems Lord Cragshade is thoroughly entertained by her.”
“All the better. Let him entertain her and allow me to keep my own counsel.”
His mother’s porcelain skin turned so red it almost matched the shade of the bandeau on her head.
“Let him entertain her? Perhaps we ought to let him marry her as well! Let him have the heirs you should be putting into this world to protect your father’s legacy while you – spend the afternoon frolicking in the local tavern with your friend, Lord Bronwyn. Ah, what a terrible influence he is. I wish you had never met him; he’s put your head full of silly ideas, just like your father has.”
Kenneth sighed deeply. “Ideas such as what? Father’s idea that one should marry for love if one is lucky enough to find it?”
“Love.” His mother shook her head. “Love is for the foolish and the weak. Love is for daydreamers who cannot live in the real world. You will be a Duke. You need a woman like Lady Sophia at your side. You need-”
His mother’s tirade was interrupted at that moment by a truly blood-curdling scream, followed by a sob. Kenneth turned into the direction the sound was coming from, and with horror realized it was Lady Ruth’s chamber the terrible sound had traveled from.
Leaving his mother where she stood, he rushed forth down the hall. Before he could make it to her chamber, Lady Ruth stepped into the hall. Her eyes were wide with sorrow, tears streamed down her face. She held one hand away from her fine, embroidered lacy gown, and when he glanced down at it, his blood almost froze.
Dripping from her hand was a stream of dark red blood.
“Ruth!” He called out just as her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fainted onto the hard, marble floor.
Chapter 19
Ruth leaned against the back of her chair as Lord Rotham squatted beside her, a towel wrapped around her hand. A sharp pain seared through the palm of her hand as he cleaned the wound.
“Well, hello. We were worried about you,” he said when his eyes met hers.
“I am sorry, the sight of the blood must have made me feel faint. I…It is not bad. Please do not trouble yourself.”
She looked up and realized they were not alone. The Duchess was standing in the corner, her arms crossed over her pale-blue gown. Her jaw was set, and her eyes narrowed at the display. Sophia leaned against the armoire but to Ruth’s surprise, there wasn’t just concern painted on her face. There was something else, something she couldn’t quite figure out.
In the corner, Lord Cragshade peeked in from the hall. Noticing her gaze, Lord Rotham looked up.
“Mother, would you please fetch the physician? And Lawrence, perhaps you can summon the maids to bring a cup of chamomile tea for Lady Ruth?”
His mother opened her mouth, about to reply but thought better of it when she saw the determination in her son’s eyes.
Ruth couldn’t help but feel awkward sitting so close to Lord Rotham. Ever since their afternoon together the previous day, she found herself thinking of him constantly.
“What happened?” Lord Rotham’s voice was gentle. He continued to press his handkerchief against the palm of her hand. The bleeding had almost stopped but she had to admit the feeling of her hand in his was comforting.
She’d been so confused by her fainting spell she’d almost forgotten what led to this moment. When she remembered, her lips trembled.
“My mother’s patch box. I picked it up and it slipped out of my hand. I do not know how or why, but it did. It shattered on the floor and I knelt to pick it up. That is when I cut myself.”
She looked up at Sophia. “Oh, Sophia. It broke into pieces. One of my only keepsakes of Mama’s.” Her eyes grew wet with tears but to her surprise, Sophia remained standing still, her face a mask.