Chapter 22

On hearing I had fallen from Amber the same day my courses arrived, Edmund hurled his plate and bowl from the dinner table. Dashing me with his food he hobbled away cursing.

“You are banned from riding, do you hear! Foolish simpleton on a damned horse…you shall not mock me Vanessa!”

There has been silence at every meal since, ignoring any of my polite enquiries as to his well being. I knew the past week had seen him suffering with the spasms again. He has even missed several meals, being so highly dosed on laudanum to ease the pain. It makes him sourer and unpredictable.

However it was known across the prestigiously titled families we were participating in this year's Season. I assume in part to my mothers gossiping chatter and now only two months away. Edmund perhaps feels I am tricking him into the long winter stay, his hopes were to announce his heirs impending arrival.

Little does he know Tarrick Hall is finally, after three years the only place I want to reside. London holds n