Page 16 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)

Chapter Nine

R ain hammered the windows of the library.

The sound of it, in combination with the roaring fire, gave the room a cozy feeling.

Cecily wished she could remain right here for the evening, working on filigree with Adelaide as she did now, but Bridget had accepted Lord Harlow’s invitation to attend the theater.

After the trying day she’d had, the very thought exhausted her.

When Cecily had arrived at the Rothsburgs’ that morning, she had expected only a handful of gentlemen callers.

Instead, she and Bridget had sat in the drawing room for hours, receiving what felt like an inordinate number of hopeful suitors.

But the worst part of it was that no matter what subtle attempts Cecily made to deter each of them, the gentlemen had not seemed dissuaded in their pursuits.

When the last had finally left, Bridget had excitedly declared Cecily’s entrance into Society to be a smashing success.

Cecily knew otherwise.

The only sensible explanation for her amassing as much interest as she had, particularly after her efforts to the contrary, was that someone had overheard Nash’s declaration regarding the sum of her dowry.

Now, thanks to him, every fortune hunter in London would descend upon her.

Likely, even Lord Harlow was among them for that very reason.

Not that she’d say as much to Nash. This Season had gone from bad to worse.

If only there was a way to be done with it while still fulfilling her end of her bargain with Papa.

Adelaide wrapped a piece of paper tightly around a pin, dabbed some glue on the end, and stuck it to the small wooden box. “Of all the gentlemen who visited you today, which do you most prefer?”

Cecily glued her own tightly wound piece of paper and handed it to Adelaide before retrieving another. “I hardly know any of them.”

“But if there was one you wished to know better, who would it be? Is Lord Harlow your favorite?”

Cecily met her sister’s imploring stare. It was not Adelaide’s fault her patience had run thin, so she considered her sister’s question, despite knowing that she preferred none. “He was certainly the most handsome of those who visited.”

Adelaide giggled, thankfully appeased with her reply. “Is he more handsome than Nash?”

The edge of Cecily’s strip of paper slipped from her grasp and unwound itself, making her startle. She reset her attention firmly to the task of winding it again. “I suppose it depends on one’s preferences.”

“Which do you prefer?”

Cecily gave a tight laugh, forcing away the vexing memory of Nash placing a kiss upon her knuckles last night. The way his light eyes seemed to look past her defenses. “I shall not answer that. I do not want you to get any incorrect notions in that head of yours.”

“So you think Nash is the handsomer of the two?”

Cecily dropped her chin, pinning her sister with a look .

Adelaide gave a proud smile. “If Lord Harlow had been your choice, you would have said as much.”

A loud knock on the front door sent both ladies glancing toward the entrance to the library. Eager to move on from the current topic of conversation, Cecily stood. “I had best see who that is. Mrs. Markham is still in the nursery with the boys.”

Cecily stepped past the stairwell and into the short corridor that led to the front entry hall when the Markhams’ butler, Caldwell, opened the door.

“Mr. Markham.” Expecting the actual Mr. Markham, Cecily’s heart thudded to a stop to find a saturated Nash stepping through the door instead.

She pressed herself against the wall, hoping to remain unnoticed.

The butler’s gaze moved behind Nash into the street beyond, then back to him. “Do you require assistance?”

Nash removed his beaver, shook it just outside, and handed it to Caldwell before closing the door behind him. “Actually, I do. I assume my father is not yet home from the bank?”

“Not yet.”

“Might you retrieve my mother for me, then? I shall wait here.”

Caldwell gave a bow, then headed past Cecily to where the servants’ staircase was situated. For a moment she contemplated retreating into the library before Nash caught sight of her, but she knew her sister would ask after who it was, and she had no desire to explain her poor manners.

Nash’s gaze moved across the entrance hall to his left, taking in the assortment of newly acquired bouquets that overwhelmed the space. Whether he realized the collection was Cecily’s was yet to be determined. Not that she’d be the one to tell him. Nor would she inform him it was all his doing.

“Miss Bradshaw.” Nash’s gaze landed on her, lingering in the corridor, a smile forming on his lips. “Forgive me. I did not see you lurking there.”

Despite her current state of annoyance, she approached him so she needn’t speak too loudly. “Have you finally come to visit your family?” There was little warmth in her voice.

“Something like that.”

With the slight twinkle that entered his eyes, Cecily thought to press the matter but refrained, knowing that was precisely what Nash wished for her to do.

“And are you recovered? Lord Rothsburg returned to the ball just before supper, saying he’d taken you home. That you’d not seemed quite yourself.”

“I feel much improved.” He ran his hand through his hair, pausing at the back and wincing slightly. “Besides a slight bump on my head from the fall.”

So there had been a fall? Cecily had assumed the rumors had been exaggerated beyond recognition by the time they had reached her.

One woman had professed to both her and Bridget to have seen the whole of the ordeal.

She claimed that after Nash had caused Lady Darlington to spill her punch, he had fallen, taking down their hostess with him.

Cecily did not know the woman who’d shared the gossip, but she had nearly told her it could not be the truth, for things like that did not happen to Nash.

Or did they?

Cecily felt too curious to remain aloof. “You truly fell?”

“I did. And I brought Lady Darlington down on top of me.”

Cecily covered her gaping mouth with her hand, attempting to repress her astonishment. “It was true, then? What people were saying?”

Nash shrugged as though he did not care in the least that he’d made a complete spectacle of himself in front of half the ton. “If that’s what they’re saying, then yes, I fear it is.”

Cecily didn’t quite know what to say. “Well, I’m sorry it happened.”

“You should be,” Nash said, his smile returning. “It was you I was attempting to follow when I tripped. ”

Cecily’s lips parted. “Are you blaming me for what happened?”

Walking toward her, he closed the distance between them and leaned in. “Lady Victoria did not run from me after our dance finished, so there was no need to chase her.”

And here Cecily had been doing such a fine job at keeping the conversation affable. “Forgive me for not living up to Lady Victoria’s impeccable behavior, but in my defense, she simply does not know you well enough.”

“Are you suggesting it would have been wise for her to run from me also?”

Cecily met his gaze with directness. “You needn’t fear. I’m not certain she would be one to let wisdom dictate her choices.” It was an unfeeling comment, and the moment it escaped her, she wished it back. Cecily dropped her gaze. “That was not fair of me. I do not even know Lady Victoria.”

“Jealousy is said to be a thief of good sense.”

Her gaze shot upward again, passing Nash’s infuriating smile on the way to his eyes. “What reason would I have to be jealous of her?”

“Perhaps that she is said to be the diamond of the Season?”

Cecily gave an airy, humorless laugh. If it were up to her, Cecily would not even be taking part in the Season. “How little you know me.”

“And whose fault is that?”

She stared at him, surprised by the intensity in his eyes.

“Nash! You have come.” Mrs. Markham stepped into the entrance hall, and Cecily removed herself a step, clasping her hands in front of her. Mrs. Markham took in Nash’s saturated coat. “Is anything the matter?”

His gaze lingered on Cecily a moment longer before he looked at his mother. “Actually, it is sort of a funny story. You see, I have received a visit from Aunt Agnes’ solicitor, and it seems another will has turned up. ”

Mrs. Markham’s eyes widened with disbelief. “After all this time?”

“I’ve not seen it, as it was sent directly to the Court of Chancery, but I suspect it’s a forgery.”

“Do you know who has submitted it?”

Nash gave a heavy breath. “Unfortunately, my uncle is the only logical answer.”

Mrs. Markham’s countenance fell. “I suppose so. Families have been known to quarrel and deceive over much less.”

“Yes, well, because of it, the execution of the estate will be placed on hold until they can determine its legitimacy. Which means … I may need to encroach upon your hospitality for the time being.”

Cecily blinked. Did he mean to stay here?

Mrs. Markham reached out a hand toward him, setting it on his arm. “This is your home. You are welcome for as long as you wish to be here.”

Cecily’s stomach twisted at the reassurance.

“Thank you, Mother. I have a cab outside waiting with my trunks.”

“Caldwell.” She glanced behind her where the butler waited for instructions.

“Please see that Nash’s trunks are unloaded and brought up to the room across from the day nursery.

” She paused, looking at Nash with an apologetic look.

“I hope that is suitable, considering the Bradshaw sisters are already settled on the first floor.”

“That is perfectly suitable,” Nash said. “I’ve recently discovered the room across from the nursery has an exceptionally comfortable bed.” His eyes flicked toward Cecily, and the corners of his mouth twitched. Frustrating man.

The butler bowed, motioned for a footman to assist, pulled an umbrella from the stand near the entrance, and disappeared through the front door .

Mrs. Markham’s gaze moved across Nash again. “Here, let me take your coat and we can sit by the fire. I shall have some tea brought in.”

Nash shrugged off his coat, and Cecily diverted her gaze to make certain he would not later accuse her of ogling him or some such nonsense.

“Where are the boys?” he asked.

“Upstairs taking their supper with Nurse, but if you’d like, you may go see them.”

“I don’t want to interrupt their eating, but once they are finished and my trunks are accessible, I do have those gifts I promised to bring.”

Mrs. Markham beamed as though it hadn’t taken him five days to fulfill his promise.

“Jamison will be thrilled to hear that. He’s been talking about the gift incessantly.

Though after our recent visit to the park and meeting a gentleman with a small marmoset by the name of Pip, I did have to convince him you had not brought him a pet monkey.

” She paused. “You did not bring Jamison a monkey, did you?”

Nash grinned. “I was tempted, but they wouldn’t allow me to have one on the ship.”

“Thank heavens. As cute as Pip was, he seemed to be quite a bit of trouble.” Mrs. Markham gave a small laugh, gesturing toward the corridor. “Shall we go sit?”

Cecily resisted glancing at Nash. “Unfortunately, I cannot. The Rothsburgs will be here within the hour to retrieve me, so I had best go upstairs and dress. But perhaps Adelaide might wish to join you?”

“Of course. I shall go speak with her.”

“And where is it you are going this evening?” Nash asked, stepping in next to Cecily as they followed Mrs. Markham.

“The theater.”

Nash gave an amused shake of his head. “How strange it is to see Rothsburg in the role of a doting husband. Before Lady Bridget, the theater was the last place you’d ever find that man.”

“Oh, but it is not at Bridget’s request he is going. Not directly, anyway. Lord Harlow has invited us.”

Nash stopped, halting Cecily with him. “You are to attend the theater with Featherbottom?”

“It was Bridget who accepted the invitation.”

“And I suppose, had it been up to you, you would have declined it?”

She would far prefer spending the evening here—not with Nash, clearly, but with the Markhams and her sister—but she would not give him the opportunity of misinterpreting her meaning. “I did not say that.”

He pursed his lips slightly in consideration of her. “Well, if you wish to strap yourself to a man like Featherbottom, that is your prerogative.”

Though she was not inclined to do such a thing, his admonition only served as an encouragement for Cecily. “I suppose it is.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “So you admit you are interested in the clodpole?”

The sound of wheels on the hardwood floor brought Cecily’s attention over her shoulder as Mrs. Markham appeared with Adelaide and Sarah.

“Adelaide was hoping she might help you ready,” Mrs. Markham said.

“I could certainly use her expert opinion.” Cecily smiled at her sister, and though she did not look at Nash, her next comment was for him. “As I wish to look my very best this evening.”

Cecily could feel Nash’s eyes narrowing on her, which made her oddly giddy inside, but before he could reply, she gave a slight dip of her head in his direction and stepped away.

Let Nash think what he would about her intentions toward Lord Harlow.

The man deserved to be rankled. Did he not take every opportunity to do the same to her?

Besides, it was his mention of her dowry that had Lord Harlow interested in pursuing her.