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Steam from the train engines washed over the wet platform in patches of buoyant clouds. Rosamund stepped through the largest of the white wisps, on her way to the passenger car. Her maroon traveling dress and black hat provided enough protection from the slightly cool morning air that she was comfortable as she bustled down the busy station walkway.
Rosamund glanced up and down the platform in search of Drake Wolfe and his daughter. She had only seen her new husband twice since the wedding. He asked her to a party, held at the hotel where he lodged with his daughter, with a strategically planned guest list. Rosamund congratulated herself on her performance that night. She knew by Drake's pleased grin the evening had been a success as far as his business was concerned. Her named carried the weight he required to break down the barriers barring his success.
Though Rosamund inquired about Jess, the girl remained hidden in her room. Drake, as he insisted she call him for appearances sake, tried to coax Jess to join the party, but the painfully bashful teen made excuses which her soft hearted papa naturally gave in to.
Rosamund would have taken control of the situation, but her exact position with the child was unclear to her, and she did not want to overstep her bounds. The last two weeks had not provided Rosamund the opportunity to fulfill the other side of her bargain with Drake, to help his daughter.
The second meeting with her husband came with his unexpected visit, in which he impudently proceeded to inform her of his plans to rent out her house, and her subsequent invitation to lodge at Downton for the summer. Rosamund took the news about as well as Greek Goddess Hera upon finding Zeus had been untrue.
Unlike Hera, Rosamund could not wield fireballs and conjure dragons, though she had been tempted to throw an encyclopedia at Drake's head when he told her of his clandestine visit to Robert. Being a Lady by nature, if not so much by official title, was the only thing that prevented Drake from leaving Eaton Square with a large goose egg on his forehead.
Rosamund stopped in front of the passenger car, as another puff of steam swirled around the platform. She showed her ticket to the conductor and he ushered her up the steps. He examined the numbers on each of the individual compartments until he found the one that matched her ticket. She nodded her appreciation and the man returned to the outside.
Rosamund nearly entered her assigned travel room, but conversation from inside caused her to pause. She recognized Drake's voice and another that she knew belonged to Jess. Rosamund had only ever heard the child speak three words together, and rather than interrupt, she listened.
Eves dropping had never been an expression she or her mama approved of, and the term "spying" was downright vulgar. No, Rosamund preferred to think of her actions as an accidental coincidence of time and place.
"I wish we could have stayed at the hotel. Now I won't get to see Regene at all. You know I don't fit in with-" Jess started to say but Rosamund heard Drake interrupt.
"Give it a chance, Jess. For me."
A moment of silence ensured, and Rosamund lingered just outside the compartment. She heard some movement coming toward her, but she wanted to listen just a little longer before she made her presence known.
"Roz will look after you," Drake assured. Rosamund pursed her lips.
Her husband had taken to referring to her by the undignified, shortened nickname. She cringed every time she heard it, but her attempts to correct him fell on deaf ears.
"And you too," Jess replied with a little giggle in her tone. Rosamund wondered exactly what Drake told the girl about their relationship. From the comment, Rosamund guessed Jess thought they were truly married.
"Downton is an amazing place. Just like a castle out of a fairytale. You will like it," he said so softly Rosamund had to lean forward to hear.
"Do you think her family will like me? Do you think she likes me?" Jess questioned meekly.
"She's too proper to do anything but love you, and so will they." Drake answered with such blatant trust Rosamund had to swallowed to keep from a cough brought on by her instantly dry throat. She suddenly felt overwhelmed by the situation, and not for the first time, she regretted her decision to marry Drake.
Unprepared to hear anymore, Rosamund checked her appearance in the reflection of the outside window, just as a group of travelers passed by. They nodded to her, and Rosamund greeted them, which provided a natural cover for her to enter the compartment without suspicion of her "accidental" listening.
Drake stood when he saw her, and Jess beamed. It was the first time Rosamund was able to take a good look at the teenager since the wedding. She really was a pretty thing, with her delicate bone structure and soft blond hair. Rosamund was so busy studying the child; she did not realize Drake moved toward her until his lips softly grazed her cheek. She felt a flush of color come to her face, and gave him a confused look when he pulled back.
He avoided her eyes, but took her hand and led her to the seat. Rosamund watched Jess as she turned her head and hid a small smile. Drake sat next to Rosamund, and did not let go of her hand. Rosamund then realized exactly what was happening. Obviously, Drake had told Jess he married for love, and he now had to keep up the illusion.
Rosamund wedged her hand free of his, but did so in a way that Jess did not notice. At first, Rosamund wanted to be affronted by the liberties Drake took, but as she calmly pondered the circumstances, she realized this was better for the child's sake. If Rosamund was to help introduce Jess into English society, it would be far less complicated if the shy young woman thought Rosamund acted so out of love, and not out of obligation.
Rosamund looked out the window and scolded herself for so stupidly getting herself into such a mess. She blamed her mama. If Violet had listened and offered help that day, instead of flippantly brushing aside the issue as a joke, none of this would have happened.
"Jess was just telling me how excited she is to see Downton," Drake broke the silence.
Rosamund fought the urge to glare at him, as his betrayal in visiting her brother behind her back was still fresh in her memory. She ignored her faux husband, and regarded the girl warmly.
"I prefer London." Rosamund stiffened enough for Drake to notice that was a slight directed at him, "but Downton in summer is lovely, and the food is heaven."
Jess lowered her eyes to her hands in her lap. After a few moments, she glanced up at Rosamund. It was clear to Rosamund by Jess' fidgeting hands, she was afraid of Rosamund, or, at least, extremely intimidated.
"I wonder," she started quietly, but her voice grew in volume, "I wonder if you might give me a tour, when we arrive. I do love castles."
Rosamund beamed and leaned forward.
"Of course I will, my dear. I'd be happy to. We will convince Lady Cora to join us. She is an American, but she knows all about Downton."
Rosamund spoke of her sister-in-law's country of origin as she always had, forgetting her new family shared the same origin. When she realized her mistake she cursed herself mentally in language that would have shocked her compartment mates.
"That will be great, won't it Jess?" Drake patted his daughter's knee. "We Americans have to stick together."
He winked and Jess smiled. He sent Rosamund a look, and Rosamund nodded in appreciation. Mr. Wolfe had his flaws, but Rosamund was grateful for his diplomacy, despite its rarity of occurrence.
The train slowly jerked forward, and before long the three of them were on the way to Downton.
Drake stepped out of the car first, and offered his hand first to Rosamund, then to his daughter. Rosamund's heeled foot landed on the gravel in front of Downton, and she glanced up to see the entire family, plus the servants, all lined out to greet them. Rosamund inhaled and scanned over each face, hardly expecting such a welcome in light of the unorthodox way Robert learned of her marriage.
Even as children, Robert had always protected Rosamund, and forgiven her quickly when she hurt him, which she was apt to do often. Out of his brotherly affection, a deep bond had been forged between them, whether or not either of them wished to admit it. Rosamund usually did not wish to, therefore, she rationalized her brother's sweet gesture as an excuse for his family and household to gawk at her new American husband.
A warm breeze passed through the grounds, and fabric from dresses of both maid and Lady fluttered under the afternoon sun. Rosamund approached Robert, and he greeted her with a cold hand shake. He also shook Drake's hand and then leaned toward Cora.
"Mr. Wolfe, may I introduce my wife, Lady Cora, and my daughters, Mary and Edith," he said. Drake took each woman's hand in turn. When he took Mary's, Rosamund watched her niece send over a piercing gaze.
"You are full of surprises, Aunt," Mary said with a devilish grin.
"And Tom Branson is my late daughter Sybil's husband." Robert choked slightly over the words. The men shook hands, and Rosamund took Jess by the arm. She pulled her to the forefront, out from behind her father's shadow.
"This is Miss Jess," Rosamund said, and Jess smiled at each of the family members.
Out of the corner of her eyes Rosamund saw the butler share a look with the housekeeper. She wracked her brain trying to come up with their names, but the conversation drew her back in before she succeeded.
"Welcome to Downton, my dear," Cora said and took Jess by the hands, "we hope you will enjoy your stay."
Cora wrapped her arm around Jess' shoulders and led the girl into the house. Robert glared harshly at Rosamund, but remained silent. He turned and followed his wife inside. Drake offered his arm, and Mary lifted an eyebrow when Rosamund took it. Rosamund felt like she was entering a house of cards, tittering on the brink of collapse with one misplaced action.
Mary, Edith and Tom left the group for tasks and places unknown, but as promised, Rosamund gave Jess a tour of the house, accompanied by Cora and Drake. As they all stepped outside to tour the grounds, Robert stopped Rosamund and pulled her into the hallway. The tight grip wrapped around her arm helped to flame her temper.
"I am very disappointed in you," he began, but he let go of her arm. Rosamund smoothed out the wrinkled fabric of her sleeve.
"If you'll excuse me, I'm needed outside."
Before she turned, she could see her brother's outrage at being ignored. Rosamund had no choice but to ignore him, because she was rather inclined to agree with his statement. The last thing she would ever do would be admit it to him.
When she found the tour group again, Cora and Jess where down by the stream, and Drake remained watching them from the hill. She stopped at his side, to wait for Cora and Jess' return.
"I like your sister-in-law. She is good with Jess. Probably comes from having three daughters of her own," Drake said absently. Rosamund knew he did not mean to infer her state as a childless widow was less desirable to his daughter's situation, but the comment stung nonetheless.
Rosamund pretended to shield her eyes from the sun with her hand, but her real intent was to hide her expression from Drake. He continued to watch the two figures below.
"Jess is just as lovely as they are," Rosamund replied. Drake pulled out is watch, and then abruptly turned.
"I better start now if I want to make the train back to London."
"Back?" Rosamund asked, but Drake already began to move toward the house. Rosamund followed him down the gravel trail.
"What do you mean back?" Rosamund moved in front of him to block his hasty retreat.
"I have business I must see to."
Rosamund tilted her head and regarded him with contempt.
"You mean to leave Jess here? Without a word? Not to mention your responsibility to me. Mama is coming for dinner, and she expects to meet you," Rosamund huffed.
Drake put his hands on his hips and leaned forward in a very arrogant manner.
"As for Jess, she needs to learn independence. I've never been able to let her stand on her own. That's been my mistake." Drake inhaled deeply. "This is my chance to help her, and I have to take it. If I can't trust a respectable family like the Crawley's to look after her, then I will never trust anyone." His manner was so cool and calm, Rosamund wondered whether he had any emotion at all.
"That seems rather harsh," Rosamund retorted. "You should at least tell her goodbye."
Drake broke eye contact with Rosamund and looked to the horizon. He kicked some pebbles with the toe of his shoe, then looked back to her.
"I can't. If I do she will ask me to stay, and I will give in, like I always do."
Rosamund softened a little when she was allowed a glimpse into his eyes. Leaving his daughter cast a dark cloud over his face, which Rosamund could see was painful for him. She should have let him go, but being rather inclined toward selfishness, Rosamund could not let the more urgent subject drop.
"I see your point with Jess, but this is my family. You have married into it, and there are certain obligations you must fulfill."
"Like dinner with your mother?" He scoffed.
"Precisely."
"And just how far do these obligations extend? All the way to your bedroom?" He looked up at her from under his handsome brow.
Rosamund's already ignited temper burst free and she slapped him across the face. He frowned, but kept his hands on his hips.
"Not even in your fondest dreams," Rosamund growled.
"Which is exactly how I feel about dinner with your mother."
Drake's shoulder bumped Rosamund as he passed by and she stumbled backward. He marched down the drive back to the house. Rosamund closed her eyes for a moment to collect her composure. She tightened her hands into fists and let out a small feminine snarl of contempt.
When Cora and Jess returned from the tour of the grounds, Rosamund faced the unpleasant task of telling the child her papa had returned to London. At the moment she divulged the news, Rosamund could not decide who looked more surprised, Cora or Jess. Jess retired to her room without a word, and Rosamund felt obligated to check on her.
Rosamund gently tapped on the door, and then entered. Jess' maid just finished with her and passed by Rosamund with a nod as she exited the room. Jess sat in front of the mirror, and her delicate features looked rather pale.
"Hello, Jess. I wanted to make sure you-" Rosamund started to say, but the teenager dropped her head and hid a sniffle. Rosamund crossed the room and reached out to rest her hands on the girl's shoulders. She thought better of the action and pulled back.
"Come now, it's not as bad as all that," Rosamund cooed. Jess reached for a tissue and quickly wiped her eyes.
"I'm sorry you have to see me like this."
Rosamund relaxed as her nerves departed in the wake of her pity for the child. She finally did put her hands on Jess' shoulders. She watched the girl's reflection in the mirror.
"It is understandable. I think the least your papa could have done was say goodbye."
"Did he say goodbye to you?" Jess rotated in the chair, and her large blue eyes gazed up at Rosamund. Rosamund inhaled and chose her words with delicacy.
"I am afraid we quarreled about his leaving." Rosamund lifted her head, please with her ability to find a way to answer truthfully. Jess shook her head and her pink lips turned up at the corner.
"Men," she sighed.
Rosamund stifled a laugh. The small, unexpected show of personality from Jess managed to sneak into Rosamund's affections.
"I know he will come back to visit," Jess began, more to herself than anyone else. "He always thinks I need to be pushed out of shyness, but it's not shyness, Lady Rosamund. I only talk when I have something to say. What is wrong with that?"
"My mama would say in the case of most people that would be a blessing."
Jess ducked her head and giggled. Her smile disappeared and she looked up back to Rosamund.
"But I do wish..." The girl clasped her hands together. "Could we invite Regene to visit? I will miss her so."
The name of the flamboyant actress once again wormed into conversation and Rosamund stiffened. She was extremely tired of hearing the name. The more vicious side of her nature provoked her to wonder if Drake's "business" in London had to do with the face-painted celebrity.
"This is not my house, so I can't say for certain." Rosamund let go of Jess's shoulder and moved toward the door. "Now, shall we go down? I know mama is anxious to met you."
Jess nodded quickly and jumped up from the chair. Rosamund felt another twinge of emotion upon discovering she succeeded in lifting the child's spirits.
She led Jess out of the room and paused for a moment in the hallway. Rosamund considered preparing the poor girl for a run in with the Dowager Countess but there was something in Jess that made Rosamund hold her tongue.
Perhaps, Rosamund felt too much unease in giving advice, as she had never filled the role of mother before. Ultimately, she decided that Jess had an unseen core of strength. Maybe she was wrong to set Jess on such a difficult task without preparation, but she wanted to see what the child was made of, and if, indeed, she was not as shy as Mr. Wolfe assumed.
"You will help me to know what is proper, won't you?" Jess asked, her large eyes filled with dread and apprehension. Rosamund took her hand and squeezed.
"Yes, of course. I will be by your side all evening," Rosamund promised, surprised by the ease and thrill of fostering her nurturing instincts. The whole marriage thing might have one or two positives after all.
Rosamund and Jess reached the large open room of the main floor just as the family was headed to the dining room. Violet immediately stopped, and Rosamund pulled Jess into the unavoidable meeting.
"Mama, this is Miss Jess-" Rosamund started but Violet interrupted.
"I know who it is. All bony and gangly isn't she? Still, there is a bit of potential I think," Violet said. Rosamund glanced at the girl, to see how she held up under Violet's harsh assessment. Jess' bright smiled dropped into disappointment.
"What's wrong?" Violet asked.
"I just wanted the Dowager Countess to be everything I imagined," Jess responded.
"And what had you imagined?" Violet inquired with wide eyes.
"A grand lady of elegant beauty, dignified age and extraordinary wisdom." Jess spoke very wistfully, and Rosamund wondered just how much influence Drake allowed that actress to have on the child.
"Oh but my dear, I am all of that," Violet confirmed. Rosamund opened her mouth to say something but one look from her mama kept her silent.
"Maybe. But you're not very nice," Jess said, "I hoped you would be nice at very least."
To Rosamund's surprise the girl stayed her ground after such a statement. Had Rosamund been in her place, she would have immediately fled to the dinner table.
"You'll soon learn, not all hopes and dreams come to fruition. In the meantime, lead a mean old woman to her dinner," Violet ordered. Jess nodded, and Rosamund suspected a small smile nearly crept to her lips.
Rosamund took Violet's arm as Jess stepped a head of them and into the other room.
"Mama! I can't believe you let her get away with that," Rosamund whispered.
"She has spunk. I abhor spunk, but," Violet stepped into the dining room, "this family needs a little just now."
Rosamund saw Mary glance up from the table and give Jess a tiny, half hearted smile. Edith grinned fully, and Cora touched Jess' hand as she passed by. Rosamund shook her head, mentally cursing her mama for her inane ability to always be right.
Jess sat next to Mary, a seat Matthew normally would have filled, and Rosamund sat to her left. Violet took the chair across from Edith and Cora, next to Robert, and Tom rounded out the table.
About halfway through dinner, Rosamund suspected that the butler, Carson (the name finally dawned on her) had taken a fresh dislike to her. Nothing she could place her finger on, nothing obvious, but every time he moved to serve her he seemed to tighten up. Out of this sense, Rosamund made a point to be especially courteous to him, which only seemed to make his face tighten even more.
"I still don't understand why Mr. Wolfe couldn't allow time for one dinner," Violet said, breaking Rosamund's attention away from Mr. Carson.
"It is a shame, Rosamund. We all want to get to know him better. And Miss Jess too," Cora said with a beam directed at the teenager.
Rosamund clenched her teeth. Leave it to mama to sprinkle salt into an already open wound.
"I told you. His business in London was very pressing," Rosamund answered, and sent Violet a glare.
"He sent me a telegram from the station," Jess announced, much to Rosamund's surprise. "He will visit soon. He really is wonderful, although I am bias."
"All daughter's should be biased," Mary added. Robert regarded her warmly.
From the look on the faces of both Violet and Cora, Rosamund could see Mary finally started to break free of the gloom of Matthew's death.
"Tell me, Jess, how long is it that you've been without a mother?" Violet asked, with little regard for tact. Rosamund inhaled deeply to keep the phony smile from slipping off her lips.
"My mother died when I was three. I don't remember much about her. For most of my life it's just been me and my father," Jess explained. Rosamund lifted her chin, proud that the teenager once again successfully dealt with Violet's overbearing personality.
"But there must have been someone. A governess perhaps, or a potential suitor of your father's," Violet continued to dig. With the follow up question, Rosamund immediately knew what her mama was after. She always had to pry until drama erupted.
"Father said he never loved anyone but my mother," Jess said and turned to Rosamund, "until he met Lady Rosamund, that is."
Cora and Violet, who knew of the status of Rosamund's relationship with her new husband, both gave her incredulous looks. Mary and Edith both smirked, and Robert avoided eye contact. The awkward moment was well worth the expense to Rosamund, if it kept Violet from the information she desired.
"I suppose," Jess continued, "that Regene is the closest thing to a mother I've known. When I was little, I hoped my father might marry her." Jess sent Rosamund and apologetic glance with the admission. Luckily for Rosamund, Violet and Robert were ignorant of who exactly "Regene" was.
"Regene Cadenza, the actress recently appearing in London," Edith clarified.
"Yes, thank you, Edith." Rosamund's clipped tone momentarily stalled the conversation.
Violet inclined her chin and glanced around the table, her mission obviously accomplished. Mary's mouth fell open and she looked between Jess and Rosamund, as if unsure which of them to be shocked by most.
"Incidentally," Jess began and Rosamund turned away. She knew what was coming.
"I would love to see Regene. Father only coaxed me to London by telling me I could see her often. It will be a long summer without her."
"We should invite her to dine here," Violet suggested, and received a look from everyone at the table, plus the wide eyed glance of Mr. Carson.
"The girl wants to see her, and Mr. Wolfe can bring her when he comes back," Violet continued. At that moment, Rosamund regarded her mama as some improbable homing pigeon, zeroing in on the most vulnerable target and dive bombing.
"Regene Cadenza is rather well regarded," Mary cut in. "Since hearing Edith talk about her, I have wanted a chance to meet her. She might even perform for us. I heard she recently received an invitation to dine at Chesterfield Hall. If the Tomlins can receive her, I don't see why we can't."
"It might be fun," Cora said with excitement, "to have a famous actress to Downton."
Rosamund leaned back in her chair, and froze in place, but she felt like letting her head fall forward until it landed in her apple Charlotte.
"If you say so, mama," Robert finally spoke. Rosamund guessed that he gave in to something so unorthodox only because Mary showed interest in the idea. "I will write to Mr. Wolfe and ask him to invite this... Miss Cadenza."
"Thank you, Lord Grantham. You are very kind," Jess replied.
Rosamund wanted to retort with a nasty remark, but she held her tongue. She was annoyed with her mama, but she saw no cause to take it out on Jess.
After dinner the women retired to the lady's waiting room. Jess commented on one of the carpets, and Edith and Mary stopped in the hallway to inform her about its origin. Rosamund entered the waiting room and naturally tried to avoid Violet. Violet, of course, waited until Rosamund sat, and then found the chair directly beside her. Cora sat next to Rosamund on the couch, while Edith, Mary and Jess lingered just outside the door.
The after dinner trap had been set, and like a fool Rosamund fell right into it.
"What on earth could you possibly have been thinking?!" Violet scolded.
"I was thinking, mama, that I needed to save my house, and that my own family was unwilling to lift a finger to help me," Rosamund erupted.
"Honestly, Rosamund, we had no idea it was that bad. I would have sent Robert to London," Cora told her. The sentiment was nice, but Rosamund's mood was too sour to appreciate it.
"No matter. It's too late now."
"Is it really too late? If it is still a marriage in name only you can have it annulled," Violet suggested.
"Not," Rosamund began, "that it is any of your business, mama, but the marriage terms have remained as first outlined."
Violet leaned back in her chair, and Rosamund watched relief wash over her features.
"However, if I were to end it now, everything we have worked for and achieved would be undone. I intend to remain married."
"But, that can't be good for Jess," Cora added. Rosamund glared at her and opened her mouth to answer when Violet spoke.
"And what about this actress person? Really, Rosamund, that could turn into a scandal of epic magnitude."
"I'm not the one who invited her to dine at Downton."
Rosamund eyed Violet, and gloated in her triumphant retort with a lifted her chin.
"You never did know how to find a suitable man," Violet rebuked. The comment sent Rosamund over the edge and she snapped to full attention.
"I'm sorry, mama. We can't all have Mary's perfect life."
In the heat of the moment, it was the first thought that popped into Rosamund's mind. With Cora sitting next to her Rosamund instantly regretted the words. She turned to make her apologies, but realized Mary had just stepped into the room.
Edith watched her sister with alarm, and Jess wrinkled her brow.
"You think I have a perfect life?" Mary gasped, and then, on the brink of angry tears, she stormed out of the room. Rosamund felt the physical tingle of guilt wash over her entire body.
"Cora..." Rosamund began, but her sister-in-law faced away from her. "I'm so sorry. You know I didn't mean-"
"Don't apologize to me. Apologize to her," Cora said, with anger apparent in her tensed shoulders. Rosamund looked at Violet, who gave her a motherly "I-told-you-so" gaze. She was still mad at Violet, but that argument would have to wait.
"If you will all excuse me," Rosamund said and stood.
Edith, Cora and Violet did not look at her, but Jess' eyes grew wide at the prospect of being left alone with strangers. Rosamund put her hand on Jess' arm.
"Don't worry, dear. Edith will look after you."
To Rosamund's relief, Edith stepped up to the teenager.
"Of course," she said happily and led Jess to the sofa. With a nod of approval from Jess, Rosamund left the room.
She cross the main hall and climbed the stairs. Her guilt grew with each step, as she remembered her own grief after Marmaduke had passed. If anyone had said something so unfeeling to Rosamund during her morning period, she was sure she would have never forgiven the trespasser.
When Rosamund reached the hallway, she could see Mary's door was slightly ajar. Rosamund made the long walk toward the room, and found Mary's maid standing near the servants entrance. They exchanged a look, and the maid averted her eyes.
"Is Mary very upset?" Rosamund asked. The maid, whose name Rosamund could not recall, stopped and faced her.
"I'm afraid so, My Lady," she answered, and nearly started to move again.
"I'm sorry..." Rosamund searched her memory for the name.
"Anna, or Mrs. Bates," she informed.
"Oh, Anna, that's right," Rosamund scolded herself for offending yet another person in so many minutes. "You know Mary well, don't you?"
Anna respectfully regarded Rosamund, and then squared her shoulder.
"I like to think I know her a little after all we've been through," she said. Rosamund had heard tale of what an amazing Ladies maid Anna Bates was. The nearly perfect answer she received confirmed the stories.
"I wonder, do you think it would be better if I apologized now, or should I give her some time?"
Anna narrowed her eyes, and surprise fell onto her plain features. She thought for a moment.
"It's hard to say, not knowing what happened, but, I think it's always best to apologize," Anna affirmed.
The simple statement somehow rallied Rosamund's courage, though she was not aware just what Anna did for her. Later, if Rosamund pondered the conversation at all, which was not likely, she might have discovered just how amazing Mrs. Anna Bates really was.
Rosamund nodded and headed for Mary's room. She pushed open the door and found Mary sitting on the bed with her child in her arms. Her eyes showed no signs of tears, which Rosamund thought was a good omen.
"What do you want?" Mary hissed with contempt.
"I wanted," Rosamund stammered. She hated admitting she was wrong. "I wanted to apologize. That was a stupid thing for me to say, and I'm sorry."
Mary kept her eyes turned down toward her baby.
"I hope you love Mr. Wolfe enough, that when he leaves you, you will know how much it hurts. Then you can see how perfect your life feels."
Rosamund briefly closed her eyes, but she did not take offense from Mary's words. Instead, she calmly pondered how to approach the bitter remark.
"I probably deserved that," she replied, and Mary finally looked up at her. "But you forget Mary, I know what it's like to lose a husband."
"Do you?" Mary turned her head, as if utterly board with the conversation. "You had almost your whole life with Uncle Marmaduke. I only had a few years with Matthew." Her voice waived the smallest degree when she spoke Matthew's name. Rosamund stepped toward the bed and looked down fondly at the small infant.
"Yes, that's true." Rosamund rested her hand on the soft forehead of the baby, and then moved back over the room. She stopped in the doorway.
"When Marmaduke died, he left me a pile of money. Matthew left you something much more precious, and I would say..." Rosamund nearly choked over the words as she looked at the baby, "utterly perfect."
She hurried out of the room before Mary saw the hint of tears.