lay on her dressing table.
"Oh William," she whispered, gazing as her brother’s face smiled handsomely back at her. "Life would have been so much easier were you still here." His face was one that never left her sight, even these seventeen years since tragedy had taken him away. "You should have been stronger," she chided to the portrait. "I should have been stronger," she added sadly.
She made her way down to the solarium. Once ensconced in one of the rattan chairs, she rang for her breakfast. She looked toward the door, wishing her personal servant to be well enough to return to work. The girl’s paleness frightened her so. She looked as though the blood had drained from her. Emmeline would never forgive herself if something happened to the girl under her watch. She made a promise she would look after the child. Just because the girl was entering womanhood and soon to be married didn't mean Emmeline would let that promise waver now.
Emmeline smiled as Jenna entered the room and set her breakfast on the small glass table. She noted with pleasure the color returning to Jenna's cheeks. Her eyes still retained a dark rim underneath, casting a frail shadow over the pretty features, but in general, she looked as though she were feeling much better.
“I am glad to see you back to work so soon.” Emmeline retrieved a piece of toast from the silver holder and spread it with jam. “You gave me quite a scare. I hope you are feeling a little better today?”
“Very much, my lady.” Jenna poured the tea through the strainer. “I am sorry to be such a burden to you and your guest.”
Emmeline shook her head kindly and took a small bite. The morning sun bounced off the outside pathway, shining brightly into the solarium, forming a cloak of gold around her personal servant who she eyed inquisitively. “I hope it wasn’t anything serious?”
“No, my lady. I think I may have eaten something disagreeable.”
“I hope you don’t mind my impertinence Jenna, but…is there any possibility you could be with child?”
“No, my lady.”
“I am sorry to ask, but faintness and sickness are one of the signs.” She smiled kindly, pleased Jenna would be starting off married life with her betrothed as a virgin.
‘ Tis how it should be when you are in love . Wistfully, she gazed out toward her rose garden. She was always overcome with how much beauty lay in nature and how she could cultivate something so pleasing to the eye with her own hands. It seemed a shame she had been unable to cultivate a relationship with her own husband in the same way.
Rousing herself from her thoughts, she turned her attention to Jenna who stood waiting to be dismissed, holding Sir Jack’s coat and flask in her hands. “I will make sure Sir Jack receives his items. He has left with Lord Edwin for Launceston for the day.”
* * * *
As Jenna walked home, her mind wandered over the recent happenings at Penrose Manor. It took all her courage to return to work that day. She toyed with the idea of feigning sickness, but told herself Lord Edwin would have to kill her before she would ever succumb to his lewd advances. Never again would she be so foolish as to let her senses slip and find herself alone with the beast. As for Sir Jack, well, she hoped she wouldn’t have to see his face. She had seen it enough in her mind the previous evening as she lay in bed. He raised feelings in her which never before stirred. That alone was making her more nervous than being cornered by Lord Edwin again.
As she neared her cottage she saw Trystan seated alongside the moorland path waiting for her, an expression of excitement written across his face.
“I see you’re feeling better.” He rushed over and kissed her on the cheek.
“I told you it was just something I ate. Anyway, what are you doing here, hovering around waiting for me like a lost puppy? Don’t you have work to do?”
“I’ve plenty of work to do as a junior mine boss.” He smiled, seeming