A Rose in Winter (81 page)

Authors: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

Tags: #Contemporary, #Fiction, #Romance, #General, #Large Type Books, #Historical

BOOK: A Rose in Winter

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"I want to see my son," came a smooth feminine voice.

Christopher took Erienne's arm and led her forward as the marquess reached in a hand, lending assistance to his wife, who sat nearest the door. As soon as she stood to the ground, Anne held out her arms to Erienne.

"My dear, what a dreadful experience it must have been. We were gone when Christopher's letter arrived, and when we found it awaiting us, we rushed here from York, where we've been since leaving London. Thankfully my sister had just come from Carlisle to be with us."

"Your sister?" Erienne peered within the interior, and her face showed surprise as the marquess moved aside and the Countess Ashford appeared in the doorway. The' woman descended and lifted a cheek expectantly to receive a kiss from Christopher, then he led her to Erienne, who stared in bemusement at the woman. His eyes twinkled as his voice filled her mind.

"Erienne, my sweet, I would like you to meet my mother."

"But you are the Countess Ashford." Erienne's mind stumbled in growing confusion. "I remember you from the assembly. You played cards with me."

The countess smiled gently. "I wanted to meet you, and since my son was determined to keep his identity a secret from you, I could not tell you I was his mother, though I dearly longed to. Will you forgive me for the deception?"

Tears started in Erienne's eyes, but they were joyful tears, and of a sudden the two women were crying together and embracing each other. The countess drew back and, with a lace handkerchief, dabbed at the girl's tears, ignoring the ones that brimmed in her own eyes.

"I came to stay in Carlisle so I could be near my son," she explained amid sniffles. "I am a widow again, and it was lonely in London without him there. Besides my sister, Anne, Christopher is the only family I have left, and I was so afraid something would happen to him. I bade Haggard to watch over him as much as he could."

"You came back to England to live after your marriage?" Erienne inquired.

"By then my sons were grown, and the earl was an old friend of ours. It seemed fitting that I should marry him, though Broderick was the only real love in my life."

Christopher placed an arm about his wife's shoulders and smiled at his mother. "I have not had the chance to tell you, Mother, but you are to become a grandmother this year."

Mary caught her breath, and her face lit up with sudden happiness. "I think a boy would be nice. But then again, I never had a girl, and I've been so anxious for Christopher to wed and settle down. Aggie and I have worried that it would never be. Oh, Erienne, Erienne." Tears reappeared in her eyes. "You will be so good for my son. I just know you will."

The silence of the lord's bedchamber that evening was thwarted by the whispering voices that came from the bed as Erienne Saxton lay tucked securely in the curve of her husband's body. Together they observed the glowing coals of the dying fire, and now and then his lips dipped to touch the spot below her ear where the pulse gently throbbed.

"I think I should like to see America someday," she murmured in the dark. "Your mother talked about it so much at dinner, it must be quite a country. Do you think it would be possible for me to see it?"

"Whatever my lady desires," he breathed, nuzzling the fragrant tresses beside her ear. "My world is where you are, and I follow where you lead."

Erienne giggled as his teeth nibbled at her earlobe. "Nay, sir. I will never lead you, for my hand will be tucked firmly in yours. We are one, in truth, and by your side I will gladly walk or stand if you will have me there."

"If?"
There was amazement evident in his tone as he repeated the word. "Have I fought for you all these many months just to place you behind me, where I cannot view your beauty? Nay, my lady, beside me is where I would have you, always close to my heart."