Author's Note: Thanks to all who have read, reviewed, or favorited this story. You are the best! Hope you enjoy! :)
Beta'd by lastincurableromantic
Peter and Jacqueline Tyler arrived at breakfast the following morning a united front, hands clasped and faces somber yet hopeful. The difference from yesterday was significant; the guilt and despair that had so weighed him down had eased significantly, and he clung to Jackie's hand as if it was his lifeline. The girls witnessed the change with some surprise, wonder evident on their faces, but joy for this newfound unity between their parents caused a lightness in their hearts that was sorely needed in the midst of their misfortune.
The entire house had heard Jackie's exclamations upon hearing the news of her youngest daughter's impending marriage. She had alternated between praising and admonishing the pair, caught as they all were between relief at having things 'settled' and frustration at the carelessness and impropriety that had caused so much upheaval for their family. However, she had eventually composed herself and sought out her husband. They had disappeared for some time, and only occasionally had their voices risen to levels audible to the rest of the house. They even took supper in their room, a fact which had aroused slight concern. However the end result was more than could have been believed or hoped for.
"G'morning, girls," Jackie chirped brightly, smirking at their astonished faces as she seated herself beside her husband. With a solicitous hand she heaped more food onto Pete's plate, dissatisfied with the meager portions he had taken. At his grumblings of protest, she simply tutted, "Don't you start now, sweetheart. You've grown thin while you were away. Can't have everyone thinking I'm neglecting you, can I? Now hush up and eat."
Pete huffed, scowling, but Rose saw the way his tired brown eyes rested warmly on his wife as she fussed over him. "Yes, ma'am."
"So, I'm headin' into town today, if any of you want to tag along," Jackie declared after a few minutes. Her gaze was challenging, waiting to see if anyone would dare to contradict her. When no one did she relaxed a little, getting down to business. "Feels like ages I've been cooped up in here. I'm dyin' to see if Mrs. Henrick's gotten in anything new. Lucy's gonna need a few new things for her trousseau, y'know."
Pete muttered something into his eggs, but Jackie paid him no heed. "I think it might be beneficial, too, for us to be seen out and about, and to appear reasonably happyabout the match," Jackie continued, her eyes landing on Rose.
Rose understood her mother's argument, truly she did, but she couldn't help the shudder that coursed through her. How could she pretend to be happy about such a union? "Mum, I just don't know if…"
"Yes, you can," her mother replied, voice firm. "But don't you worry, love. We'll get him sorted soon enough, I promise." The look in her eyes left no room for doubt, and Rose almostfelt sorry for him. Almost.
"Mum's right," Donna declared quietly, earning her a surprised smile from Jackie. "It is best for all of us if we try to forget the rumors and unease of the last week, put it behind us. They must love each other to have acted as they did, and he has agreed to marry her. Perhaps they have learned from their mistakes and will live a calm, happy life now, and in time their foolishness will be forgotten."
"They've made that near impossible," Rose murmured.
"Just the same, we shall do what we can," Jackie said. "I won't consent to hearing my son-in-law spoken ill of, not outside these walls. He's family now."
"I wish I could have given you a son of your own," Pete sighed, his words revealing a vulnerability he rarely showed. His wife held his hand firmly in her own, and he glanced at her, love and regret showing in his face. "We kept hoping. Not that I didn't love my girls, but a son… A male heir would have spared us so much trouble. But by the time we realized it wasn't going to happen, it was rather late to start saving. I'm so sorry."
"We both hoped, sweetheart," his wife insisted supportively. "And as much as I might despise and rail against this whole 'entail' business, I know it's not really your fault. 'S just how things are, for now. Bloody men and their laws," she growled under her breath.
"Mum!" Rose squeaked, barely covering her giggle of shocked amusement at her mother's coarse denouncement. Inside her heart swelled with pride.
"Anyway," Jackie sniffed, "we should be thinking of places they might settle, too. Hyde Park, maybe, if the Gouldings left, or maybe Purvis Lodge, though it is a bit cozy."
A spark seemed to ignite under her husband at those words. "Before you get too excited, my dear, and speak for any of those places, let me be clear. They will never be welcome in this house."
His declaration met with a flurry of protest. Even Rose, who could hardly stand the thought of facing Mr. Saxon again, gently urged her father to reconsider. In truth her feelings echoed his own - that such thoughtless and impudent behavior should not be acknowledged or encouraged by any show of affection. But sisterly love and a desire for reconciliation led her to add her voice to theirs, and they eventually won him over.
The day of the wedding arrived, and the Tyler household prepared to receive the young couple with mixed emotions.
They had had several days now to accept the idea, and Rose thought she had done a fair job of it. True, her mind tended to stumble whenever it came to the name of that odious man, or to connecting it with her sister. Perhaps time would serve to lessen the anger that burned within her against him. She was angry with her sister, too, but concern for her happiness and provision was the more prevalent emotion.
She had accepted the cold hard truth of it, though. Accepted that, shy of Lucy returning home with a fantastic alibi (which would also require a ridiculous amount of deception and covering up), marriage was the most honorable answer to this regrettable situation. However, as the hour of their arrival approached, Rose found the desire to run almost overwhelming. There were few things she could think of less appealing than the thought of looking upon Harold Saxon again.
Her regret did not stop there, as her thoughts irresistibly persisted in turning to another who had often figured in her thoughts and dreams of late. Someone who would be equally repulsed by the match. Someone who, even if she hadn't confessed all to him in a moment of weakness, even had he believed that there was nothing amiss with her sister's courtship, would surely still have abandoned all connection with a family that, aside from all his other objections, was now intimately bound to a man he so justly detested.
After Gallifrey Rose had begun to believe, even to hope, that John Smith still harbored feelings for her. Feelings that, too late, had begun to waken in her as well. Just recalling those few days together - the initial awkwardness, their conversations, the way he'd looked at her - still made her insides flutter in a way that was both wonderful and bittersweet. She could see how they balanced each other, how her boldness and lively spirits might renew his joy and soften the hard edges, and how his immense wisdom and goodness (of which she was now quite sure) would help her improve her mind and challenge her to do more. Together they could see the world, make a difference. She could feel his long fingers linked with hers, see the warmth in his brown eyes as he beamed down at her… and suddenly she was closing her eyes against unwanted tears. That possible future, if it had ever had a chance of coming to pass, was gone.
Mid-afternoon heralded the unmistakeable sound of a carriage's approach. This visit would be both a homecoming and a sending-off, as Saxon, at the urging of the Gardiners, had sought and accepted a position in a Northern regiment. The family all agreed with the wisdom of this plan, as it might help stem the swell of gossip and give the couple a chance for a fresh start, though Jackie still took it rather hard.
The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the house, where the family had gathered to welcome the wayward couple. Lucy and Saxon alighted, smiling as brightly as if all of this had been planned. Her own smile somewhat forced, Rose could feel an echoing tension emanating from Donna. The only ones who seemed at ease, Rose noted ironically, were the ones who had caused all this upheaval. Mr. and Mrs. Saxon looked unforgivably content, almost smug, and Rose pulled in deep breaths to try to calm the fiery reaction welling within her.
"Well, just look at the pair of you!" Jackie exclaimed, pulling them into a tight embrace. "My baby girl, married!"
Lucy grinned at them all, holding up her ring for her mother's inspection. "Who would have thought, when I left for Brighton just a few months ago, that I'd come home married? And before any of my sisters, too?"
No one made any reply. Rose watched with interest as her father, who had solemnly accepted Lucy's embrace, now shook Saxon's hand. She had never considered her father to be an intimidating man, but the frank look he leveled at his son-in-law clearly stated that he had taken his measure. Saxon hastily followed his bride into the house.
They then adjourned to the sitting room where Jackie, Lucy, and Saxon carried the conversation. There was no shortage of gossip to exchange or friends to ask after. The others only occasionally spoke up, although Rose and Donna both found themselves blushing at the continued impertinence of the newlyweds. They were both exactly as they had always been: Saxon charming and completely at ease, and Lucy brash and exuberant.
"Brighton was absolutely wonderful. It is too bad we didn't all go. It is a good place for finding husbands," she said, winking coyly at her own. Mr. Saxon smiled back at her, but the exchange only saddened Rose. It was quite apparent that her affection for him was not matched by his own, but then she had never supposed it could be.
"I wish we had all gone, too," Jackie rejoined, an undercurrent in her voice that was not lost on her eldest daughters. How differently things might have been if they had. "Must you really go so far north, though?"
"Why not? It doesn't bother me at all, so long as I've got him," Lucy said, hanging on Saxon's arm. "But you can all come and visit, of course. I would be able to introduce my sisters to loads of eligible young men. And if they could stay awhile, who knows? They might catch husbands themselves by spring!"
The incredulity on the others' faces was almost comical. After a moment's stunned pause, Rose could not help retorting, "As kind as that offer is, I'll take my chances on my own, thanks. I don't much care for your way of finding husbands."
Mr. Saxon's new assignment meant that their stay at Powell would be rather short, as they had to head north in only a week's time. Fortunately, Jackie took this opportunity to launch the family back into society. It was a rare moment that the Tyler house did not have visitors, which blessedly left little time in which Rose and Donna had to converse directly with their brother-in-law.
One quiet morning a few days into their visit, Lucy, Donna, and Rose were ambling amongst the gardens enjoying the sunshine and freshness of fall as Lucy chattered. Her husband, along with a rather reluctant Pete Tyler, had been invited by a gracious neighbor for a spot of fishing, and the girls had pressed their father to accept. In their current circumstances, any act of goodwill had to be embraced.
Rose had admittedly tuned out, peering into the vast blueness overhead and decidedly not daydreaming about expressive brown eyes, warm, slender hands, and lost hopes. She was called back abruptly upon hearing Lucy call her name. Glancing to her side, she noticed that Donna looked uncomfortable and wondered what she had missed.
"Earth to Rose! Where did you go just then?" Lucy asked impatiently. "I was just telling Donna how lucky I am to have landed such a handsome, charming husband. Don't you agree? I think you even fancied him for awhile."
When Rose made no answer, Lucy continued proudly, "Well, of course you did. I believe I must have half the town jealous of me!" she giggled. Rose could not help marveling at her sister's obtuseness.
Frowning, Lucy said, "You haven't heard about the wedding yet, have you, Rose? No, I'm sure of it. Donna was there, but you had run off somewhere when I told Mum and the others. Aren't you just dying to hear about it?"
"Not particularly," Rose said quietly. However, at her sister's downcast look, she relented. "But I am willing to hear it, if you want to tell me."
Lucy's face lit up in response. "Oh, yes! It is my most favorite thing! We were married at St. Clement's, since he had lived in that parish. Lord, I thought eleven o'clock would never come! I guess you can imagine how distracted I was, worrying that something would go wrong. You know how brides are. Anyways, I was so anxious, and yet the whole time we were getting ready Aunt Harriet was lecturing me. I felt like I was at church already, for pete's sake! Not that I paid her much mind - I was too busy thinking about my darling Harry, and how dashing he'd look in his new blue coat. I was just so eager to see him again and to be done with all of it. Oh, you don't understand," Lucy whinged in response to Rose's look of consternation. "Aunt and Uncle were positively dreadful the whole time I was there! They wouldn't let me leave at all. No balls, no visits… I mean, surely we could have found something to do!"
Summoning all her patience (and perhaps borrowing a little from Donna, who had placed a hand on her arm, whether to soothe or restrain her she didn't know), Rose sought to give her sister just a hint of perspective. "Lucy, our aunt and uncle were extremely good to take you in and arrange things the way they did. We shall never be able to repay their kindness," she admitted, her throat closing up with gratitude.
Lucy stared at her moment, then shrugged. "Whatever you say. So, we were just about to leave, and that awful Mr. Stone stopped by and dragged Uncle Gardiner away on some sort of business. I was sure they would take ages and the wedding would be delayed, since uncle had to be there to give me away. Aunt Harriet assured me he wouldn't let that happen, though, and sure enough, he was back within minutes. 'Course I realized later that even if he hadn't been able to make it, Mr. Smith could have taken his place."
Rose stilled, her face blanched of all color. She was sure her heart had stopped momentarily. "Mr. Smith?" She could feel Donna's hand tighten slightly on her arm, but she could not drag her eyes from her youngest sister's face.
"Yeah, he came with Mr. Saxon, you know. Wait… oh! Oh, no!" she exclaimed, eyes wide and hands flying to cover her mouth. "I wasn't supposed to tell! And I promised them; it was a secret! Harry will be very cross with me."
"We won't say a word," Donna promised. "And you shouldn't say any more, especially if they didn't want it known."
"Of course," Rose forced the words out, knowing Donna was right. It was torturous, though, resisting the urge to entreat Lucy for more information.
"Thanks," Lucy said with a smile of relief. "'Cause if you'd asked, I would probably've spilled everything, and then Harry would really be mad." She would certainly never forget the day she'd seen Mr. Smith again. Her own shock had been nothing to Harry's when the tall, arrogant man had burst into the small apartment they'd been staying in while in London. She almost hadn't recognized him, his face was so transformed with fury. Harold had tried to maintain his composure, but she could tell he was terrified, too. Mr. Smith had firstly, and with surprising gentleness, tried to convince her to let him take her back to her family, which she had adamantly refused. The man had then turned his full attention upon her lover, giving a detailed account of exactly what would happen from that point. He was curt and commanding, brooking no opposition. Only once did Mr. Saxon attempt to defy him. She had never seen anything as frightening as Mr. Smith in that moment, and Harry had swiftly relented. Soon after she had been sequestered to her uncle's home, and though she hadn't seen him again until the wedding, she knew Mr. Smith had been busy behind the scenes and had met with her uncle at least twice. This was the most relaxed she had seen her husband in weeks. It would not do for him to be reminded of that encounter.
Rose turned her anguished eyes to Donna's, hoping she would understand. The temptation was too great. Donna gave her a sympathetic smile and motioned towards the house with her head, encouraging her to go. Quietly excusing herself, she did just that, the questions beating relentlessly within her. Why had Mr. Smith been there? At her sister's wedding, and to a man he absolutely loathed? And why was is such a secret?
She just couldn't go on without knowing. Almost tripping up the stairs in her haste, she secreted herself away in her room to write to someone who would know. 'Dearest aunt, I hope you will pardon my directness, but I am completely bewildered. Lucy, in telling us about the wedding, let slip that Mr. Smith was in attendance that day. Please tell me how this can be! Why would someone with no real connection to our family be there at such a time? I believe you can understand my curiosity on this subject, although if it is a great secret, as Lucy has implied, I will try to be content in my ignorance. Please write soon.'
Her mind whirled, thoughts and emotions coursing through her as she sealed the letter. Just as her heart would offer forth one possibility, gloriously noble and compassionate, her mind would denounce it as highly improbable and present one of its own. She could make no sense of it at all.
Rose could only hope that her aunt would take pity on her and not be bound to the same secrecy as Lucy. She knew Donna would keep her word and remain silent on the matter. Indeed, until she knew more, Rose would hardly know how to discuss such an outrageous notion. No, she would have to wait and hope. Only her aunt could relieve her curiosity and save her from turning inevitably to less honorable methods of sussing the matter out.