Page 39 of Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season 2)
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Iris stood on the front terrace, her reflection staring back at her in a small puddle. She pursed her lips. She was tall, like her daughter Alexandra, and had thick golden hair, streaked with only minimal silver. Though not as classically beautiful as her sister, Flora, the Countess of Ashford, she was attractive, with an oval face and high cheekbones, almond-shaped hazel eyes and a wide full-lipped mouth. Her nose had always bothered her. She thought it too large for her face. Thankfully her daughtersâ noses were smaller. They were both beautiful girls, and she had no doubt that they would make fine matches. She hadnât been so lucky.
Awkwardly shy when she was younger, she hadnât received an offer after four seasons, so at twenty-five, her parents, the Baron and Baroness White, had married her to Angus MacIntyre, the Earl of Longarry, a short and stout Scotsman, whose holdings were in jeopardy. He was attracted by Irisâs substantial dowry. She was transported to Scotland for a quick ceremony attended only by her parents. Angus had been jovial, even affectionateâ¦until Irisâs parents returned to London. After that he had become abusive, especially when it took five years for her to give him a child, and then it was a girl, Sophie. Two years later Alexandra came along. The earl became a tyrant, He raped Iris weekly, demanding an heir, but one never came. He mistreated his children as well, blaming them for not being boys. Longarry had died of consumption two years previously, leaving Iris and the girls penniless. But penniless was so much better than living with Longarry. Iris thanked God every day that he was gone. And she thanked God for her sister and brother-in-law, the Earl and Countess of Ashford, who had supported her and the girls since his death.
Despite her hatred of him, Iris had been a good wife to the earl. She had taken care of his estate, what little was left of it, seen to his needs, and had never strayed from his bed. Except for once.
âAre you ready, Iris?â
Iris jumped at Lucyâs voice, her thoughts muddling, as did her reflection when a bird dropped into the puddle.
âYes, yes, letâs go.â
âNow, tell me,â Lucy said, as they began walking down a stony path. âWhat is going on?â
âOh, nothing, really.â
âIris, we may have lost touch over the years, but we were best friends once. Something is bothering you, and Iâd wager a guess that it has something to do with our weekend visitors.â
Iris sighed. She had kept the secret for nearly twenty years. âOh, Lucy, itâs⦠Oh I canât even say it.â
âOf course you can, dear. Iâll keep your confidence, if that is what you require.â
âI definitely require confidence. Andâ¦â
âAnd what?â
âIf you could possiblyâ¦not judge me too harshly.â
âI wonât. Goodness, Iris, what is it?â
âItâs the Earl of Brighton,â Iris said, swallowing to keep her voice from cracking. âIâ¦had an affair with him.â
Lucyâs eyes widened. âHow in the world?â
âIt was about twenty years ago. Sophie was two and Ally was just a babe, and the girls and I had traveled to Hampshire for a house party at Floraâs estate. Longarry stayed in Scotland to tend to business matters, and frankly, I was looking forward to escaping him for a month. Oh, it was so beautiful, Lucy, and Lily and Roseâs nannies took care of my girls, so I had a lot of time to myself. Walking about the estate one day, I met David.â
âThe Earl of Brighton.â
âYes. You know how shy I always was, but somehow I could talk to him. We walked and laughed, and he introduced me to his children, who were romping about. Young Evan was six, Miranda was seven, and Jacob, his heir, was ten. I asked to meet his wife, but he said the countess had been feeling poorly and had chosen to go to Bath, to take to the waters for a month.â
âOh, Iris.â
âAs you can imagine, one thing led to another. We shared a bed for most of the house party. I had only recently recovered from having Ally, and I hadnât slept with Longarry in quite some time. He found my pregnant belly unattractive. Frankly I was glad for the respite. Being with David wasâ¦lovely. Just lovely.â
âWhat of his wife?â
âIt wasnât a love match. They had been promised to each other since birth. Still, he told me that he had never strayed from her until me.â
âAnd you believed him?â
; âI did, actually. Perhaps it was silly, but I believed him. He told me that he loved me.â
âAnd did you love him?â
Iris warmed at the memory. âYes, Lucy, I did. He was kind and compassionate. Tender and loving. Everything that Longarry wasnât. Plus he was handsome as the devil.â