Whatever Rose’s reason for secrecy, it didn’t matter to him. Lord, he’d locked himself away at Everleigh hoping no one would learn of the scandal involving his family. No doubt people gossiped behind closed doors. When a man’s wife died under mysterious circumstances, the husband was always the prime suspect.
“The only way to stop me asking questions is to feed me,” he said. “Everyone knows it’s rude to speak with your mouth full.”
“So you have a healthy appetite, my lord.”
The innocent comment amused him, particularly when his mind conjured a lascivious reply. “Sometimes it can prove impossible to ignore one’s cravings.”
“Then we’d be wise not to make you wait.”
After laying out the blanket and unpacking the basket, they spent the next hour lounging in the sunshine, eating ham and cheese, and fresh bread.
“Can we climb the trees, Papa?” Jacob asked though his lack of enthusiasm suggested he expected the answer to be no.
They were two miles from Morton Manor. The children were in no danger. “As long as you stay where I can see you.”
Rose’s penetrative gaze searched his face, her eyes only averting when the children jumped to their feet and raced off into the copse.
“What is it about the woods that makes you uneasy?” Rose sipped her elderflower cordial and then studied him over the rim of her glass.
To answer meant revealing his darkest secret. “Why did you protect Jacob when he is the reason you cut your hair?” A sigh left his lips. “By rights, I should have punished him.”
“And what good would that do? How many times has he gone to bed without supper?”
“If you’re trying to tell me I’m doing a terrible job of raising my children, then simply say so.”
Her gaze fell to her lap. “It is not my place to say anything at all. Even mentioning it is overstepping the mark.”
He was the only one guilty of crossing boundaries. But when it came to Rose, he couldn’t help himself.
“Other than Mrs Hibbet, you’re the only person I can speak to in confidence.” Christian dragged his hand through his hair. He didn’t know why, but this woman’s opinion mattered to him.
A tense silence filled the air.
“Do you always take picnics with the governess?”
“Never.” He shivered at the thought of sitting opposite Mrs Hanson and counting the hairs sprouting out of her over-sized mole. “As I’m sure you’re aware, the children go to great lengths to avoid spending time with anyone tasked with their care.”
“Children? You mean Jacob. Like all loyal sisters, Alice merely follows his lead.”
“Alice wants to make everyone happy,” he agreed. Thankfully, his daughter’s character was far removed from that of her mother, a woman who took pleasure from creating misery at every turn.
“And Jacob carries the weight of the world on his shoulders.” Rose looked up at the sun and squinted. “A brother will try to shelter his sister from the harsh realities of the world. And yet such a burden can become too much for him. I would hate for that to happen to Jacob.” She spoke in earnest, from experience.
“You have a brother?”
“I do.” A brilliant smile illuminated her face, but it fell away almost as quickly as it formed. “Though I have no idea where he is?”
“Where in England?” Perhaps he could help her find her family.
“Where in the world. He was in Italy when last I heard from him.”
Italy?
Her father must have been a wealthy merchant if his son had the funds to venture abroad. Or perhaps they were a family of gamblers, and with mounting debts, her brother had no option but to flee the country.
“Enough about my affairs.” Rose sat up straight. “If I have any hope of understanding Jacob’s motives, you need to be honest with me. Are you worried about the strange illness? Is that what keeps you awake at night, or does your restlessness stem from concern for the children?”
“Me?” He stabbed his finger to his chest. “I thought we were talking about Jacob. How do you know I struggle to sleep?”