The Baron's New Wife: Regency Romance (7 page)

“Please continue if you can. I feel that it is information I must hear.”

“Yes, you should know all.” He wiped his brow and then sat up beside Anna. “Katherine did not cope very well after the children’s births. Once Henry was born she became restless and dejected all the time. We seldom left the house as she was irritated by other people’s company and I seemed to be the only one who could sooth her. A few years passed and she improved and then followed Harry’s birth. Immediately she retreated into herself and made ridiculous accusations. It was quite unbearable. The night she died we had a terrible argument about her attitude and lack of improvement. It had been suggested that the doctor would need to attend more frequently or she would need to go to an asylum. I couldn’t bear to see her be parted from the boys but her behavior was becoming more erratic and I feared for their safety. I couldn’t argue any further and for the first time in months I left the house and took the boys with me. I see now how my actions pushed her and…my man servant informed me the next day that she had taken her own life in the night. They had tried to save her but nothing could be done. It was all my fault, if I had not left that night it would have been different.”

“No, you cannot blame yourself.” Anna could tell from his face that every word he said was true. It was also apparent that he had been carrying around the burden of her death for years, blaming himself for leaving on the fateful evening.

The Baron stood up and walked towards the blazing fire, “I used to read these letters when times were bad between me and Katherine. I tried to hold on to the love that we once had and remember her in that way. I should have destroyed them after her death, it was unfair of me to keep them after remarrying.” He put the tied up bundle onto the fire and watched as it burned up. Anna hesitated, she wasn’t sure if he needed to burn the letters but her mind was too in shock to speak.

“That is why I stayed away from the house. I find it hard to be here with all the good and bad memories of Katherine in each room. The boys also look very similar to their mother and in my grief I put them at a distance. But you have changed everything Anna. When we almost lost Harry I couldn’t breathe from the pain. You saved him and the time we have spent together since has been a treasure to me. Every word I have said to you since then and now has been true and heartfelt.”

He rushed over and threw himself back on his knees beside Anna. “You are my wife and I love you. I am bitterly sorry for my mistreatment of you in the past but there is no one except you that holds my affection. You have won me.”

Tears were already pouring from Anna’s eyes. She felt sorrow for the pain that the Baron had endure but also complete joy to hear that he loved her and her alone. Anna had no words to say how happy she was and instead pressed her lips onto her husbands. They embraced each other and remained wrapped in each other’s arms the entire evening.

Several months passed in sheer marital bliss and after a particularly cold winter the sound of a babies cry was once again heard in the Hester household. Anna gave birth to a perfect little girl name Joy and her older brother’s fell over themselves trying to keep her entertained. The house was again filled with laughter and love. Mr. Field remained as a tutor but Anna made sure she informed him to keep his gossip and that of the maid’s to themselves.

The years passed by pleasantly and Joy was followed by four more siblings until the house was bursting with little Hester children everywhere. Baron and Baroness Hester remained ever fond of each other throughout their long marriage and it was repeatedly noted throughout the countryside that they were the most pleasant family anyone could know.