Month: December 2021

To read Part 1, click here.

To read Part 2, click here.

Sitting there, still too close to the fire, Rowena struggled to keep from glaring at the provoking man before her. Several moments of infuriating silence passed before she calmly stood. 

At least, she hoped that she looked calm because her insides were roiling with fury.

“Lord Wallis,” She began.

The aforementioned man interrupted. “You don’t believe me? Why?”

Rowena took a breath. “It has been years since you have even acknowledged my existence, and never in public. So now, you have summarily decided to enter my life and impose your friendship upon me?”

“Friendship is not what I was speaking to your father about.”

Moving to sit further away, Rowena almost batted at him when he rose and followed her over to the chaise. Luckily, Lord Wallis was still standing when Lady Dalton entered the room in a flurry of apologies.

“Oh Lord Wallis. Do forgive me for being out when you arrived. I hope you do not hold it against me, for I was not told you were coming, else I would have stayed home and been here to greet you personally. I do hope my daughter has been sufficient company to fill your time.”

Lord Wallis quickly bowed. “Lady Dalton. How pleasant it is to be able to spend some time with your family. I was just about to remark to Miss Rowena how it has been far too long since our families caught up.”

“I heard about your father passing, dear. That must have been so trying for your poor family.” Lady Dalton moved to join them, snagging the only nearby chair, thus forcing Lord Wallis to sit on the chaise next to Rowena. She shot him a glance when his leg brushed hers.

Lord Wallis sighed, all of his attention on her mother. “I must confess that my father had been ill for well over a year. We all knew he would be passing soon.”

Lady Dalton nodded amiably. “Then perhaps you have taken this chance to renew your acquaintance with my husband to amend the broken friendship between our two families? Your father was so insistent that I no longer visit with your dear mother, though we were the closest of friends.”

“Indeed. I come to heal the rift and even to offer a dinner invitation to your family so that you may have the chance to become reacquainted with my mother.” 

Rowena shivered under the brief but profound scrutiny Lord Wallis’ next glance shot through her. 

Another glance seared her core. As she shifted, he took the opportunity to suddenly face her and grasp both her hands in his. She gasped and tried to pull away, looking over at her mother in shock. However her mother had a broad smile on her face and quickly took up a focused scrutiny of her gloves.

“Miss Rowena. I come to you to beseech you to entertain the notion of our being the closest of friends once more.”

Try as she might, she could not extricate her hands from his firm grip without making it obvious that she was trying to escape. She could see the amusement shimmering in his gaze as he continued to look beseechingly into her eyes. “And what would that friendship entail, Lord Wallis? For I would not want to subject you to any gossip upon suddenly appearing in society as my dearest friend. Scandal could ensue. Surely there is a girl upon whom you have set your sights who would not appreciate the talk.”

He nodded. “Your forethought is most commendable.”

She fought the urge to step on his foot at his ingratiating tone. Instead she dug into his hand with one of her nails until he winced.

“However, Miss Rowena, the woman upon whom I intend to shower with my attention will come to no ill will from any friendship I have for you.”

Rowena could only stare. When she finally opened her mouth to speak, her mother cut her off before she managed a sound. Lord Wallis was forced to turn to look at Lady Dalton as she spoke most ardently.

“You know, as a close friend of your family I feel I am able to confess to you that at one time both your mother and I had harbored a hope that the two of you would marry.”

“Mother!” Rowena jumped to her feet, effectively severing any contact with the man who had ignored her for far too long to make this easy of a return into her good graces, though her mother seemed to have already forgotten it. “That is a rather personal thing to say to one whom we have not seen for so many years.”

Lady Dalton waved her daughter off. “Oh pish. You are so young, darling. It has hardly been any time at all. A few scant years, at most.”

Lord Wallis gave a half nod from where he still sat. “You are too kind, Lady Dalton. And I must confess that I have missed our families getting together.”

“We shall have to remedy that.” Lady Dalton rose to her feet, her whole face beaming with pleasure. “In fact, with Hettie in the room I don’t feel that there should be any problem with my leaving the room for a moment to talk to Lord Dalton about renewing our friendships further. I will only be a moment.” 

Her mother winked at Rowena on her way out.

As soon as Lady Dalton was out of the room Lord Wallis rose. He easily stepped over to where Rowena stood stiff with stunned shock. In a low voice, so as not to be overheard, Lord Wallis tilted his head toward her. His hand drifted out toward her as if he didn’t realize it was moving. “Rowena. I am in earnest. I want us to be friends. Please believe me.”

Glancing down at where he was now purposefully holding out both of his hands for her to take, Rowena looked up into his face, a slash of confusion slicing at her firm resolve to stay clear of him. “Why?”

A smile hinted at the corner of his mouth as he softly took her hands in his. “Because, Rowena, I am going to marry you. And I want us to be friends when I do; the very best of friends. I’ve been such a fool.”

If you missed Part 1 of Rowena’s story, click here.

The fire was beginning to feel overly warm as Rowena forced herself to listen graciously to her twittering visitor, Miss Carolina Windshaw. Her current topic was the ornate gold lined wallpaper her mother had ordered for their sitting room. In fact, she was going into great detail to ensure that Rowena could picture it.

Thus, when Rowena heard the front door open she had been praying for a new addition to the room to divert the girl from her topic. However, Hersh’s crisp footsteps clicked right past the sitting room. She almost missed Miss Carolina’s question because of how closely she was listening to see if she could hear Hersh announce her father’s guest. Father so rarely had anyone come to their home for business that anyone arriving to see him was intriguing. Yet today was even more so as she waited for Lord Wallis to appear, as promised.

“Miss Rowena.” Miss Carolina exclaimed, clapping her hands to her bosom. “The shade of blue of the flowers is exquisite to the extreme, a perfect complement to the gold. Do say you will come see it once it is installed.”

Dividing her attention, she nodded. “Of course I will. After your description, how could I not?”

As Miss Carolina was nodding, Rowena nearly fell out of her chair when she heard Hersh’s voice. 

“Lord Wallis to see you, my lord.” Hersh had announced their guest much louder than normal.

Apparently Hersh had guessed at her eavesdropping and knew she would want to hear that Lord Wallis was the one to call. 

Thankfully, Miss Windshaw was more overcome by the suddenness of Rowena’s fall than any noise out in the hallway.

“Miss Rowena!” The girl gasped in startled dismay. “Are you alright? You look extremely peaked. Oh dear, I must have stayed overlong and exhausted your delicate sensibilities. Forgive me. My mama is always going on about how I chatter too much. I shall call on you again soon to check on you. Please, do go lay down and rest yourself.”

Rowena was indeed surprised. Miss Carolina never left before Rowena practically shoved her out the door. Yet, one slip off her chair and the girl was gone. 

She resettled back in her chair, listening to any noise coming from the direction of the study. Her tortured wait was not long in the making. She heard the study door open only a few minutes later. 

Quickly she busied herself with her embroidery, positioning herself to face slightly away from the door.

Hersh cleared his throat. “Miss Dalton. Lord Wallis to see you. Shall I fetch your maid?”

“Yes, thank you Hersh.” Rowena focused on her family’s butler and smiled. 

Lord Wallis entered the room as a general would enter the command tent on the battlefield, full of importance. 

As he strode confidently toward her Rowena gave her attention back to her embroidery, affecting a shy demure blush as she did. “Forgive me, my Lord, I was not expecting the need of a maid this afternoon.”

He stopped a few steps from her, well within the bounds of propriety should anyone glance into the room. There he stayed, his hands clasped behind him as if he were a father waiting for his child to notice how stern he was being. Rowena refused to play and stayed silent with all her attention fixed upon her tiny stitches.

Lord Wallis was left to break the silence himself. “Indeed? Even though I stated I would be coming?”

Rowena spotted her maid enter and take a seat on a small chair by the door. Only then did she look up at her guest. “Lord Wallis. You merely stated you would be coming to speak with my father. And he has many business interests. How could I suppose that to mean you were also intending to grace me with your powerful presence?”

“Don’t.” His voice, though even, was low and purposeful.

Rowena smiled. She could not keep the bitterness from it. “Don’t what? Pretend I know you? Act as though I don’t? Flatter you as I have been taught; which is vital and necessary whenever I am addressed by a Peer? Or perhaps it is my embroidery that offends you so?”

His slow deep breath pulled at her senses. “I came to apologize, Miss Dalton.”

“You said as much last night though I could not state or recall any wrong visited upon me from you.”

“You are being difficult, Miss Dalton.”

Rowena stood, fisted hands hidden by her skirts. “And you are being obtuse. I will not forgive you without knowing what it is you feel the need to apologize for. And before you spout some bland nonsense, I should point out that any lack of acquaintance between us since my coming out has been laid solely at my feet from the start.”

He stepped back as if stunned. “Your fault? How?”

Rowena recalled herself enough to primly sit back down in her seat, slowly laying her hands in her lap. “My father was quick to list off many events, instances, and character flaws of mine that would cause such a callous brush off from a titled childhood friend.”

“Rowena. Please allow me to apologize.” He sat on the couch opposite her. “Hear what I have to say.”

“To what end?” Rowena angled away, looking out toward the window. “I was mortified when I approached you that first time and was met with a blank stare and a cold brush off as if I were a street urchin who had the audacity of coming too close. Your friends laughed at me as I left. I do not know if I want to hear what you have to say.”

When he did not say more, Rowena found herself holding her breath. Minutes passed and Rowena refused to fidget or look at him. Instead her gaze settled on the opposite wall.

“Rowena. I have nothing I could say that would amend or heal the pain I caused. I was a selfish, entitled, ignorant youth trying to impress his friends.”

“Was?”

He chuckled. “I am trying to change. And so if you cannot accept my apology, I hope you can bear to give mercy as I attempt to show you that I can be the friend you had hoped.”

“Friend?” Rowena pinned him with a piercing stare. “You want to be my friend? Why?”

“Must there be a motive?” His head cocked slightly to the side.

“Yes.” She smiled but the warmth of it did not reach her eyes. “Which of my friends are you attempting to woo that you would need my help?”

“None.”

Rowena gazed harder at his face as if she could pry the truth from the expressions there. “I don’t believe you.”

Read Part 3 of Rowena’s story by clicking here.

Stepping out her front door in her elegant mint green coat Rowena gave a delicate shiver. She hurried to the waiting carriage, nodding and smiling to Robert who stood solemnly holding the door open.

As she sat on the plush padded seat she situated her lavender gown so that when they arrived there wouldn’t be any unsightly creases in the silky fabric. Once settled she looked up and over to the beautiful woman sitting across from her in a deep blue satin confection of a dress.

“Good evening Aunt Marilyn.” Rowena knew her father was seated next to her aunt, watching. Lord Dalton, Earl of Kensbridge, was insistent on good steady manners with no unseemly displays of frivolity or excitability. Yet she couldn’t hide the sparkle of unrestrainable joy in her eyes upon seeing her dear aunt.

“Are you ready, Rowena?” Marilyn leaned forward. With only a dozen years separating Rowena and Marilyn, she had fast become Rowena’s favorite relation. And since her father despised being the object of gossip, both Rowena and Marilyn had determined that at the Vauxhall Christmas Party Rowena would instead cause everyone to stop talking; in awe of her, of course.

They had taken great care in planning out what she would wear that would draw everyone’s attention without subjecting herself or her family to ridicule or rebuke. Color, cut, neckline, jewelry, shoes, hair; if it pertained to the party they had discussed it. Everything went under scrutiny.

Everything but Lord Theodore Wallis, Earl of Auldemoore.

Marilyn had been careful to avoid the subject and Rowena had been immensely relieved to not have to broach that topic.

Lord Wallis had been her best friend every summer when they were younger and not merely country neighbors. They had been close friends until two summers ago when he had not come back home, no explanation. The one or two times they had been at the same event since her coming out last season he had acted as if he didn’t know her at all. It was clear that he did not want to know her any longer and it caused her heart to ache most cruelly.

When he pretended she didn’t exist was the first time in her life she had felt a deep shame for being raised in the country and she didn’t even know the cause of the rift.

Her father had been quick to point out and blame any and all moments when her manners had faltered in Lord Wallis’ presence during her formative years as cause for his sudden distance. To father, her lack of propriety had earned her understandable scorn from the most influential member of their acquaintance. 

The news that Lord Wallis was going to be at the same event once again had almost frozen her to her seat. However, she had managed to hide her dismay from her father so far. He would be appalled if he knew. Hopefully Lord Wallis’ indifference would not mar her evening.

The ride to Vauxhall was quiet as Rowena lost herself in her anxiety to not appear anything but poised. While her father didn’t notice a thing, Marilyn gave her a soft pat on her knee. When Rowena looked up at her, Marilyn sat up straight, pulled her shoulders back and gave her a short assuring nod. Rowena followed suit, forcefully pulling herself out of her own worry.

Only a few short minutes later the carriage stopped. Rowena disembarked last, again nodding her thanks. Her father had not waited for her and was already halfway up the stairs. Instead, she made her entrance with Marilyn at her side.

On the inside Rowena was jumping and squealing with barely restrainable joy as the room quieted. On the outside she remained the epitome of the graceful lady of high society her father had trained her to be.

After that, it only took a mere few seconds to locate Lord Wallis across the huge hall, conspicuously not looking in her direction, even though everyone around him was. A few minutes later Rowena glanced from her admiring circle of friends to discover that Lord Wallis was no longer safely in sight and far away from her. As inconspicuous as she could manage she surveyed what she could see of the room. He was nowhere to be seen.

Turning her full attention back to those around her Rowena mentally chastised herself. Now was not the time to be distracted by the man. Tonight was her night of triumph.

The music and dancing started and Rowena was quickly asked out onto the dance floor. It wasn’t until Lord Geoffney was leading her back to where she had previously been standing when she almost stumbled, faced as she was by Lord Wallis glaring at her.

“Lord Wallis.” She acknowledged with a curtsey after Lord Geoffney bowed and stepped away. 

The harsh glare did not diminish as Lord Wallis moved forward and extended his hand, bowing over it. Once she curtseyed in return she reluctantly took the hand he continued to silently hold out. Immediately he clasped hers, tucking it securely into the crook of his arm as he escorted her out onto the floor. He had never so publicly acknowledged that he knew her. Rowena was in shock.

Drawing her in, he looked down at her as Rowena was transported into the many memories she had of them gleefully practicing their dancing lessons out in the meadow behind his manor.

His voice was low, barely audible, when he finally spoke. “Rowena.”

She drew her gaze from the audience surrounding them and focused on his face. “Lord Wallis.”

She was proud of how indifferent she sounded.

“Forgive me.”

Rowena nearly stumbled. “Whatever for, my Lord.”

The scowl he directed her way stabbed through her. It was how he used to look at her when they had been friends and she was mercilessly teasing him and he knew it.

She forced herself to not feel that painful ache that had haunted her those first few times he had ignored her so thoroughly. She took a deep breath. “I am in earnest, my Lord. I do not know what you are asking forgiveness for. After all, you have made it quite apparent that we are not to know or even acknowledge that we once knew each other at all.”

“Rowena.” His hand that was holding hers tightened, unseen by any but felt by her.

“Lord Wallis. You say my name as if I should glean information from it.” She looked over his shoulder instead of his face. “Someone might hear you.”

The dance ended and Rowena fought the urge to give him a scowl of her own.

His voice was still low as he returned her to her aunt. “We are not done with this discussion. I will inform your father to expect me tomorrow.”

Aunt Marilyn ushered her away to where she could pummel her with questions, only to discover that Rowena had no answers. She could only wait and hope to discover tomorrow what it was that had brought on this change in him.

Click to read Part 2 of Rowena’s Story!