Love at the Tower Read Free Page B

woman’s hand.

CHAPTER TWO
    As Robina stood facing her father and the strange woman, it was if she was hearing what he was saying from a very long way away.
    â€œRobina,” he resumed, “I know how much you love me and know that you would want me to be happy. I have to confess that since your dear mother died, I have been very lonely.”
    Robina opened her mouth to protest that had he not sent her away, then he might not have found himself in that unenviable state, but the words would not come.
    â€œLaura has been a great comfort to me and I don’t know what I would have done without her counsel and her company. So when I tell you that we were married just two weeks ago, I am certain that you will be pleased for me and will embrace your new stepmother and welcome her to Trentham House.”
    â€œNo! It cannot be!” she cried, throwing her hands up to her face. “Mama has barely been dead a year – it is too soon. Too soon !”
    â€œNow, my dear, is that any way to greet your new Stepmama?” chided Laura, looking at Robina as if she was just a petulant small child.
    â€œPapa, how could you! ” she shouted, throwing him a hurt look before turning and running out of the room.
    Tears blinded her as she ran upstairs.
    Unable to see where she was going, she plummeted into Nanny who was carrying a large bundle of laundry.
    â€œRobina. What on earth is the matter?”
    â€œOh, Nanny. Did you know that Papa had married that woman?”
    â€œYes, I did, dear, but I could not tell you. It was not my place. I don’t agree with this hasty marriage any more than you do, but it has happened and so we must get on with life.”
    â€œBut how could he? It is far too soon after Mama’s passing.”
    Nanny ushered her into her room and put down her pile of laundry. She took a handkerchief from the dresser and handed it to her.
    â€œYour father has been very much happier since her Ladyship came into his life and you want your Papa to be happy, don’t you?”
    â€œYes, of course, but why did he have to send me away? If he had not done that, then perhaps he would not have felt it necessary to seek comfort elsewhere.”
    â€œMy dear, men are not the same as us – they are not very good at being on their own. Whereas when a woman’s husband dies, as my dear own Jack did, we are able to carry on without a man around, but men need a woman to care for them – and I am not talking about a daughter!”
    â€œOh, Nanny! When Papa invited me home again, I did not think for one moment that I was going to feel as if I was an intruder in my very own home. This new woman – where has she come from? I did not see her at the house when Mama was alive.”
    â€œI believe she was married to one of your father’s friends, who had died tragically a year before your Mama. Lady Wolverton, as she was then, went to Europe after the funeral and came back a year later to find your Papa was in the same boat.
    â€œThey were two lonely souls and then they found each other. Your Papa was so unbearable before she came into the picture – you should be grateful to her!”
    â€œNanny, don’t say that – it makes me feel sick! I should have been enough for Papa and if he was lonely, he should have brought me back from Paris.”
    â€œMy dear Robina, he found it too painful to look at you. Do you not know how like your Mama you are?”
    â€œBut Mama had grey eyes and I have brown,” she replied, wiping hers with a soggy handkerchief.
    â€œIt doesn’t matter to your Papa, you are the very image of her.”
    â€œI don’t understand – ” sniffed Robina.
    â€œYou will when you fall in love,” answered Nanny, mysteriously.
    â€œOh, I shall not fall in love with anyone.”
    Nanny laughed fondly.
    â€œYou have been saying that ever since you were a little girl. But you will one day, you wait and