Page 71 of Duchess Needed
Barbara sighed and stirred her tea, watching as the liquid swirled round and round in the cup. Her silence might have unnerved some, but Edward knew she was merely pondering how best to respond to him. And he knew her well enough to be patient.
After a few minutes, she spoke,
“My brother was as stubborn as a mule. Even with his weak constitution, he was determined to live his life to the fullest. Our mother was always found wailing each time he climbed a tree or wandered too far from the house in search of excitement. He was always apologetic, and ever so consistent in his ways. He was immensely brave and strong, despite the shortcomings our father hoped he would outgrow. He wanted to be more than his weakness and I dare say, he did accomplish nearly everything he wanted to do. The only thing he might have been unable to witness was you growing into the fine man you are now. He had such high hopes for you and I can safely say that he would be so proud of who you are now. He might be concerned, by yourprevious refusal of any form of attachment, but I can see by the excitement in your eyes that you have changed your mind.
“There are no rules to this sort of thing – parenting, marriage, and the like. I think that as long as everyone does their best and handles their part efficiently, they will be able to yield even better results than they expect. And I believe that you are already on the right path to the best possible outcome. You should trust yourself more. You and your father are so alike in the sense that you were always seemingly eager to do more than you have to. You both worry needlessly, and you both easily assume the worst scenario possible. You have already gotten this far and you have a wife with a sound head on her shoulders. Allow yourself to rely on her. I watched you take on daunting responsibilities as a very young man and you have never once complained or tried to avoid your duties. You have come so far and as such, you have earned the right to lean on others. It takes a village to raise a child. No matter what happens, you have my support, and the support of those around you.”
Edward felt his heart grow calm as his aunt’s words washed over him in a soothing manner. He had known she was the only one who would understand his dilemma and was glad he had taken the initiative to come and see her as soon as he could.
She understood his plight better than he thought she would, but he was all the more grateful for it, despite her not so sly attempts to subtly ridicule him.
“And that is why you would be my favourite aunt in any reality,” he smiled sincerely.
Barbara scoffed and pointed at her cup, speaking as he refilled it,
“You are welcome, you miscreant. Bring your wife with you next time you visit. She is far more entertaining than you are.”
Edward nodded sagely, feeling utterly proud for some reason as he said,
“I most certainly will.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Phoebe had almost forgotten what it felt like to walk through the front door of her former home without her heart being weighed down by something.
She had sent word ahead of her visit, which followed the letter she had written in a haste to assure her siblings that she was well, following the incident at Jane's garden party. She had done her best to make the letter sound reassuring and promised to see them as soon as she was up and about again — an idea that took a few days to manifest due to Edward hovering over her in concern like a mother hen.
Phoebe hoped that her brother and sister would have been comforted by the letter but judging by the way Anna came barrelling down the front steps before the carriage had even fully stopped, she suspected she had not entirely succeeded.
“Phoebe!” Anna's arms were around her as soon as she had both feet on the gravel, holding on so tightly that Phoebe nearly lost her balance. “You are here. You are truly here, and you are well,and – oh, I have been so worried, sister. Your letter said you were recovering, but it was not the same as seeing you with my own eyes, and I could not stop imagining all manner of terrible things–”
“Anna.” Phoebe laughed, though it came out slightly breathless from the force of the embrace. “I am here. I am well. Please release me before you crack one of my ribs — or split me in half.”
“You speak as if I am that strong,” her younger sister mumbled as she pulled back just enough to study her face.
It was clear that she was searching for any sign that Phoebe was merely putting on a brave front, the way she so often did. Phoebe simply smiled softly in return and whatever she found seemed to satisfy her, because some of the tightness in her expression eased.
“You look well,” she admitted, somewhat begrudgingly. “Better than well, actually. You have some colour back in your cheeks. This is the best I have seen you in a long while.”
“I told you I would recover,” Phoebe stated, blushing slightly.
“Last time we saw, you had us convinced that you were simply tired and things were fine,” Rowland remarked dryly, appearing in the doorway with his arms folded. “Are we to take your word for what they’re worth or trust them like we did before?”
There was no heat in his tone, but there was something steady and assessing in his gaze as he looked at her – and she recognized the particular expression he wore when he was deciding whether a matter required more from him than he realized.
“Rowland,” Phoebe sighed with a smile. “Good afternoon.”
“Phoebe” He came forward and embraced her as well, briefer than Anna's but no less sincere, and when he drew back, he did not immediately release her shoulders. “You gave us quite a fright.”
“I am sorry for that. Truly.” Phoebe reached up and covered one of his hands with her own. “It was not my intention to cause either of you distress.”
“I am certain it was not,” Rowland said, a worrying crease appearing between his brows. “But I find myself needing to ask you something, and I would appreciate an honest answer rather than the sort you are inclined to give when you are attempting to deviate attention from the help you actually need.”
Phoebe felt the familiar prickle of unease that always accompanied her brother's particular kind of bluntness. “Ask, then.”
“Is your marriage well, Phoebe? I understand the nature of the arrangement you entered into. I understood it when you explained what would be required of you, and I understood the reasons you believed it necessary. But I will not stand byand watch you sacrifice your health, your happiness, or your wellbeing for the sake of an agreement – not for the duke's comfort, not for the dukedom, and not even for what remains of this family's circumstances. If something is wrong between you and Montford, tell me now, and I will see it addressed.”
Something in Phoebe's chest went warm and a little unsteady at the fierce protectiveness in his voice. She had spent so many years being the one who held things together for her siblings that she had nearly forgotten what it felt like to have someone else stand for her, on her behalf.
