Chapter 316: Chapter Three Hundred And Sixteen
Aunt Margery blinked her eyes slowly. She turned her head and looked up at her tall nephew.
When she saw his kind, worried face, her lower lip began to tremble violently. She took a shaky, shallow breath. She lifted her hand, showing him the crumpled piece of paper she was holding.
"William is dying, Rowan," Aunt Margery replied.
Her voice was nothing but a broken, quiet whisper.
As soon as she spoke her husbandโs name, tears began welling up instantly in her eyes. The tears spilled over her eyelashes and rolled completely down her pale, wrinkled cheeks.
Rowan froze entirely still. The serious news hit him exactly like a physical blow to the chest.
Count William. Aunt Margeryโs husband.
Lord William was an older gentleman who had suffered from a weak chest for many years. Because the damp, cold, polluted air of London was terrible for his lungs, Lord William spent almost all of his time living quietly at their sunny country estate near the coast. Aunt Margery came to London to manage the social affairs of the Hamilton family and find Rowan a wife.
Despite the physical distance between them, Rowan knew his aunt loved her husband deeply.
Rowan did not stand formally like a Duke. He entirely dropped his aristocratic manners and approached her as her nephew.
He closed the distance between them quickly. He walked right up to her leather chair. Rowan bent his legs and crouched down on the floor, right in front of her.
He brought himself down to her exact eye level. He wanted her to know that she was not alone.
"I received a letter," Aunt Margery continued speaking, her voice cracking painfully with every single word. She looked down at the crumpled paper in her trembling hands. "It is from his physician. His lungs have completely failed him. The doctor says... the doctor says he is at his very last moment."
Aunt Margery let out a soft, highly painful sob. She covered her mouth with her trembling hand, trying desperately to hold back the loud sounds of her deep grief.
"I have to go back, Rowan," Aunt Margery cried softly, shaking her head in complete disbelief. "I have to be with him before he closes his eyes. I cannot let him leave this world alone."
Rowan reached out his large, warm hands. He gently took her trembling, cold hands in his own. He completely covered the crumpled letter with his palms, offering her his solid, steady strength.
"I am so very sorry to hear that, Aunt Margery," Rowan spoke softly. His deep voice was filled with sorrow for her pain.
He slowly lifted his right hand. With surprising gentleness for such a large man, Rowan used his thumb to carefully wipe away the fresh, hot tears that threatened to leave her eyes and fall down her cheeks.
"You must go to him, of course," Rowan assured her firmly. "You do not need to worry about anything here in London. I will take care of everything."
Aunt Margery nodded her head quickly, drawing a deep, shaky breath to try and compose herself. She was a strong woman, and she knew she had to be practical, even in the face of terrible tragedy.
"I will be leaving today," Aunt Margery stated clearly, finding a small spark of her usual determination. She squeezed his hands tightly. "I must leave within the hour if I want to reach the coast before tomorrow morning."
"I will order the fastest carriage immediately," Rowan promised, already planning the route in his mind to ensure her rapid travel.
"I will take Celine along with me," Aunt Margery added quietly. "She is a good girl who has nowhere to go. She will also be a great comfort to me on the long, difficult journey, and she can help me manage the country estate when we arrive."
Rowan nodded his head in agreement. Celine was the perfect companion for such a sad duty.
"That is a very wise choice, Aunt," Rowan said softly.
He thought about the massive amount of packing required for a sudden, indefinite journey. He wanted to do everything in his power to help ease her burden.
"I will go and tell Delaney immediately," Rowan offered kindly. "She can come upstairs and help you with the preparation. She can help your maids pack your trunks quickly and ensure you have everything you need for the road."
Aunt Margery shook her head quickly. She pulled her hands gently away from his grasp.
"No, Rowan. Please, do not do that," Aunt Margery refused his offer entirely. She wiped her own face with a small lace handkerchief she pulled from her pocket.
"Simmons is already taking care of the packing," Aunt Margery explained softly. "I gave him my strict orders before you walked into the room. The footmen are bringing the trunks down, and my maids are gathering my cloaks."
She looked at her nephew with an emotional, loving expression. Even in the very middle of her own terrible sorrow, she was still thinking about his happiness.
"We will leave very soon," Aunt Margery continued, her voice gaining a little bit of steady strength. "I do not want to see Delaney before I go. And I absolutely do not want you to tell her the sad news yet."
Rowan frowned slightly in complete confusion. "Why not, Aunt? Delaney loves you very much. She would completely want to comfort you."
Aunt Margery offered him a very small sad smile.
"Because today is her very first morning as a married woman," Aunt Margery whispered softly, fresh tears shining brightly in her eyes. "She just had the most beautiful wedding in all of London. She is glowing with joy. I absolutely refuse to be the one to bring the dark shadow of death into your home on a happy day exactly like this. She can come and visit me anytime, I would love to have her around."
Rowan stared at his aunt. His heart swelled with respect for the older woman. Her selflessness was incredibly moving. She was willing to leave quietly, without a proper family goodbye, simply to protect the new brideโs innocent joy for just a few more hours.
Rowan nodded his head slowly, fully understanding her noble intention.
"Okay, Aunt Margery," Rowan agreed softly. "I will honor your wish. I will not tell her until after you have safely departed."
Rowan remained completely crouched on the floor before her. He reached out and gently placed his hands over her knees, offering his support. He did not rush to stand up. He stayed right there, perfectly still, providing a solid anchor for her in the middle of her terrible storm.
"Everything will be alright, Aunt," Rowan comforted her softly, his deep voice carrying a reassuring tone. "You are a very strong woman. You will make it in time to see him. And no matter what happens, you will always, always have a home right here with me."
Aunt Margery nodded her head slowly. She brought her lace handkerchief up to her nose.
She sniffled softly, her tears finally slowing down.
