05
She was too agitated, and the little monkey in her arms squeaked in distress.
With a raised eyebrow, I glanced at the Spencer brothers with a mocking smile. “Why don’t you take the monkey from her? If your adopted son were to be strangled, would you then point the finger at Elena and me, accusing us of goading Rosamund into such an act?”
After a brief pause, I directed my next words at Rosamund, “You should let the monkey’s fathers take him. “After all, the bandit is now in gaol, likely spilling all he knows. I imagine the constable who arrested you is already making his way to Spencer Manor.”
“I didn’t. I really didn’t.” Rosamund’s denial was drowned in her uncontrollable sobs.
My gaze was icy as I responded, “Whether you did or didn’t, it’s not for me or you to decide. The magistrate will have the final say.”
As if on cue, the butler announced the arrival of the constable, who was ready to take Rosamund into custody.
The Spencer brothers‘ faces shifted through a spectrum of emotions
11:42 AM
Rosamund, now pale with fear, ceased her defiance.
She knelt before the brothers, crying and feigning injustice. “Gawain, Edmund, I don’t want to go to the gaol. I was just envious that Mrs. Madeline Spencer and Mrs. Elena Spencer could be your wives by your side. I only wanted the bandit to scare them, not to hurt them.”
The brothers‘ expressions were a tumultuous mix of hatred, anger, and reluctance.
Even though they were aware of her deception, the years of affection they held for her made the decision to send her to gaol heart–wrenchingly agonizing.
Edmund was the first to break the silence. “Elena, Rosamund made a mistake in her confusion. Perhaps sending her to a convent for reflection and to mend her ways? Let’s resolve this quietly.”
A sharp sound cut through his plea.
Elena, her hand still raised from the slap, declared with disdain, “This slap is for the child who never got to see this world. Edmund, if you speak for her again, aren’t you afraid of the child’s spirit haunting you at night?”
Edmund parted his lips, and his resolve to defend Rosamund wavered but was not gone.
Gawain turned to me. “Madeline, I understand your anger, but a woman entering the gaol is no trivial matter; she’ll face public scorn. Rosamund made a grave error in her jealousy, but she only intended to scare you, not to cause a miscarriage. Those unaware are not to blame. It’s heartbreaking that we lost our child, but maybe it just wasn’t meant to be ours. We’ll place a memorial plaque in the church, and Edmund will ensure your health for future children, who could be reborn into the Spencer family.”
He was actually attributing this deliberate harm to mere fate.
He even concocted the excuse that our children were fated for doom to absolve Rosamund of her deliberate malice. Yet, he clung to the fantasy that Elena and I would once again bear children for them.
The audacity of his words struck me like a cruel jest. I laughed with scorn. “Dream on if you think I’ll let her off.”
Edmund, unable to restrain himself, argued, “I’ve always treated you as family, but you can’t be this unforgiving! You and Elena are understandably upset after your miscarriages, but Rosamund didn’t mean for this to happen. Keeping her out of the gaol is for your reputation, too. If taking this to court becomes necessary, what noblewoman would willingly subject herself to such a public ordeal? You two roam freely, unlike other ladies bound by decorum. If you’d stayed home, none of this would’ve occurred. Rosamund wouldn’t have had the chance to even think of using a bandit against you. It’s your actions that led to this. Why not resolve this matter in private?”
Gawain nodded in agreement. “If it weren’t for your reckless nature, I would’ve never picked horse racing to celebrate your birthday, and none of what followed would’ve ever happened. And about the miscarriage at the racetrack, if it were true, someone would’ve reported it by now. Don’t fabricate stories where the bandit is the cause of your miscarriages. Rosamund admitted to only wanting to scare you. Just be honest with me about why you had the miscarriage. You don’t have to imply that Rosamund would ever orchestrate something as dark as sending a bandit to cause your miscarriage, just to steer blame away from yourself. If you wish to divorce me, I’ll consent, but leave Edmund’s family out of our marital issues. Truth be told, I’ve regretted this marriage from the start. You’re being petty. All you’ve done is bring chaos into my family. If my father hadn’t insisted, someone like you would never have crossed our threshold.”
