A Kiss from the Heart Read Free Page B

heartbreaking to return home to yet more!’
    The Earl ate in his room in an act of avoidance. He could not face his mother and siblings knowing that the talk would revolve around the impending funeral.
    Of course there was no question that the old Earl would not be interred in the family vault in the grounds of Ledbury Hall, but would there have to be a grand public funeral?
    â€˜Why can we not pay our last respects in private?’ he sighed to himself, as Monkhouse cleared away his plate. He had eaten heartily and was much delighted to discover that cook’s fare was as delicious as he had remembered.
    Just then, there was a loud knock on the door and Monkhouse went to open it.
    â€œIs my son up and about?”
    The Earl groaned inwardly. As much as he loved his mother, he did not wish to be reminded of what lay ahead.
    The Countess did not wait for the manservant to reply, pushing past him to find her son, sitting back in his chair satiated after his fine meal.
    â€œAh, Robert. I hope you are well rested, there is so much we have to do today and now so little time in which to organise things.”
    â€œYou speak of the funeral, Mama?”
    â€œOf course. I have already sent word to the Bishop of Worcester to enquire if he might make the Cathedral available to us next Wednesday and your father’s secretary has drawn up a preliminary list of guests – ”
    The Earl put up his hand to halt her flow.
    â€œMama, can we not have just a small private family ceremony? Is there really any need for it to be a circus?”
    Tears at once sprang into his mother’s blue eyes.
    â€œYour father was one of the most important men in this County. It would not feel as if his memory was being properly respected unless everything is done just so. Far from it being, ‘a circus’, we must allow everyone to pay their respects! I expect Her Majesty will want to attend – ”
    â€œMama, I meant that it should be a private affair.”
    â€œThen, you are wrong, Robert. Quite, quite wrong. A Peer of the Realm does not simply slide into his grave with a whisper and a few mumbled prayers. We must do what is expected of us.”
    Her lip quivered as she spoke, but the Earl only too clearly recognised the steely tone.
    She had not agreed at all with her husband’s lenient treatment of their sons and had been secretly thrilled when Robert had informed her of his intention of joining the Household Cavalry.
    Although his posting to duty in India had caused her many a sleepless night, she was proud that he was in service to his country.
    â€œMama, must we always do what is expected of us?”
    â€œRobert, we have a duty to lead by example. To be a member of the Nobility carries much responsibility.”
    â€œWell, it is one I don’t care for,” he replied in a tired voice.
    â€œLike it or not, Robert, you are now the Earl. Now, I will leave you to ruminate on your new responsibilities as I have much to attend to. I realise this has hardly been the homecoming you envisaged, but we must carry on as best we can. I will see you in the drawing room for tea at half-past three, I hope?”
    Sulkily he nodded his head.
    As the door banged behind his mother, he suddenly felt a wave of grief threatening to overcome him.
    He had always felt more in common with his father and he missed him terribly already. His mother came from a strict Scottish family, but when it came to raising their children she had been overruled by her more lenient spouse. Being a good wife had often meant bending to the will of her husband.
    â€œAch, you will just turn them all into soft useless articles!” she would sigh, when the boys were younger and they had been excused from yet another slew of duties by their benevolent father.
    The Earl recognised that he would find it difficult to oppose her wishes in this matter, so he resigned himself to the funeral turning into a public spectacle and rose