Page 26 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)

Chapter Sixteen

C ecily had felt uneasy all morning as she readied for the Rothsburgs to arrive.

She hated not being entirely honest with the Markhams, but it had been Mrs. Markham’s visible heartache at the prospect of Nash’s immediate return to India that had finally given her the courage to implement her haphazard plan.

In hindsight, she likely should have spoken to Nash about it privately first, but it was too late now.

Besides, it truly was the best course of action.

Not only for the Markhams and for her, but for Nash as well.

If Bridget’s assumptions were correct, and she believed they were, Cecily could help him restore his reputation.

The carriage ride back to Marylebone when dinner had finished had been the worst part of the whole ordeal.

Adelaide had been rightly curious about how their relationship had progressed.

She questioned them ceaselessly the entire way while Mr. and Mrs. Markham listened to Cecily bumble through a hastily contrived explanation made all the worse by Nash repeatedly adding unhelpful comments.

The ride ended with Mrs. Markham explaining that, all things considered, they would need to instigate a new set of rules to ensure their reputations remained intact since they were currently living under the same roof and not yet married.

Not that Cecily would complain about the new precautions.

They were the reason she hadn’t yet spoken privately with Nash to explain her reasons for their temporary betrothal.

Not that he had seemed upset by the evening’s strange development.

Quite the opposite, in fact. Nash had appeared entirely amused by all of it.

Which was why she dreaded the forthcoming conversation she would have to have with him.

He would surely take the whole thing to mean something it did not and tease her mercilessly.

Adelaide glanced up from her filigree project when Cecily entered the drawing room. Thankfully, it was only she and Mrs. Markham present. “You look lovely, Cecily.”

“Thank you.” She peeked over her sister’s shoulder at the nearly completed box. The intricate floral pattern was exquisite. “Do you think you will finish today?”

“I hope to.”

“Should I look for something else for you to filigree while we’re at the shops this morning?”

Adelaide smiled. “Perhaps a frame?”

Cecily mindlessly gathered Adelaide’s loose blonde hair while she continued working, twisting it and settling it down the center of her back. “Do you require more paper as well?”

“I have enough to get me started on my next project, but thank you.”

“So you are to head to Bond Street?” Mrs. Markham asked, continuing to work on her sampler.

“We are. Then we are to return to the Rothsburgs’ for morning calls.”

Her gaze lifted. “And you will share your happy news with others?”

Cecily gave a light clearing of her throat. “That is the plan. ”

“I imagine it will be nice that you needn’t consider any further suitors.”

Cecily shifted uneasily. She was not the least bit surprised Mrs. Markham suspected the legitimacy of the betrothal, but Cecily was determined to see it through. “Yes.”

A distant knock sounded, and Adelaide smiled. “They are here. You must promise to tell me everything upon your return.”

“I always do,” she said, placing a farewell kiss atop her sister’s head.

Mrs. Markham lowered her sampler and watched the two girls with an affectionate look.

“Is there anything you need at the shops, Mrs. Markham?”

“No. Thank you, though.”

Caldwell stepped inside the room. “The Rothsburgs have arrived with Mr. Fredrick Markham. Should I show them to the drawing room until Mr. Markham is ready?”

At hearing Fredrick’s name, Adelaide glanced over at Cecily, a look of panic in her eyes. She quickly ran her fingers through her long strands of hair and pulled the blanket from her lap, draping it over the arm of her chair.

When Adelaide seemed to have sufficiently gathered herself, Mrs. Markham nodded. “Of course. If you could also notify Nash of their arrival, I would be so grateful.”

A moment later, Lord Rothsburg and Bridget strolled inside, with Fredrick trailing behind them.

After the customary greetings had taken place, Fredrick went to stand directly in front of Adelaide. “How well you look today, Miss Adelaide.”

Cecily was thankful for Fredrick’s kindness, but with the way her sister’s face lit at his compliment, she worried Adelaide would grow attached to him and return to Penrose Court with a broken heart.

As if confirming the latter, Adelaide dropped her gaze, her blush in full bloom. “Thank you, Mr. Markham. ”

How different their interactions were from those Cecily and Nash had engaged in at a similar age.

She supposed it had to do with their less willful temperaments, and she couldn’t help but envy them slightly.

What might have changed had she not set herself against Nash from their first meeting? Knowing Nash, probably not much.

“And how are you today?” Bridget joined her where she stood, while Lord Rothsburg went to greet Mrs. Markham. “Does being in love not make the entire world brighter and more vibrant?”

Uncertain how to answer, Cecily gave a slight laugh. “Perhaps that is why my head is aching this morning. It’s too bright for me.”

Bridget’s brow puckered with concern. “Do you not feel well?”

“It’s only that I had a restless night’s sleep.” Jamison had climbed into bed with her not long after midnight, and every time he’d shifted, she’d awoken with a start, fearing he might fall to the floor. Not that she minded his being there; she simply wasn’t used to sharing a bed.

Bridget gave a knowing smile. “That is understandable. It’s exhausting thinking of all there is to be accomplished to prepare for a wedding. But don’t you fret, for I shall gladly assist you. Have you and Nash spoken of when the ceremony is to take place?”

Cecily’s insides squirmed at the mention, and her gaze drifted to the others, but they were paying her and Bridget no heed. “Before we decide anything, we must first hear from my father.”

“I suppose you wrote to him this morning?”

“Yes.” Well, she had, but the unfinished letter still sat on the bureau in her room.

It was no easy feat telling such news to one’s father.

Particularly when the betrothal was only temporary.

She’d considered not writing at all, but she knew her sister and Mr. and Mrs. Markham all maintained a correspondence with him, and she did not wish to have him learn of the matter through someone else.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Nash stepped inside with the subtlety of a thundering stallion, his gaze immediately falling on Cecily. There was a twinkle in his eyes that left her unsettled. “Good morning.”

That was it? No added my love? My darling? Our night apart was torture to my soul? She relaxed slightly. “Good morning.”

His gaze moved to each guest, ending with Fredrick. He gave a wide smile. “Are you to come with us today?”

Fredrick lifted his hands at his side. “If it isn’t too much trouble to have me along.”

Cecily didn’t miss the look of disappointment in her sister’s eyes at his acknowledgment.

“Of course it isn’t any trouble,” Nash said. “Perhaps Adelaide should join us as well. Make it an even six.”

Cecily’s gaze landed on Nash fast and hard.

How could he be so careless? Her chair was difficult enough to maneuver inside on a smooth floor.

To navigate cobblestone roads, uneven surfaces, and tight spaces would prove excessively arduous.

Not to mention it would certainly cause a scene, and Adelaide did not like being made into a spectacle.

“Yes indeed,” Fredrick said, either as unwitting as his cousin or too polite to point out the obvious. “At least for the shopping aspect, as I plan to forgo the drawing room altogether.”

“I thank you both for wanting me along.” Adelaide’s voice had a slight waver that broke Cecily’s heart. “But I had best remain here. I am so near to finishing my project, I should hate to put it off.”

Bridget gave an understanding nod. “Perhaps you can join us another time?”

Adelaide’s smile was unconvincing. “Perhaps.”

“Shall we be on our way?” Cecily asked, forcing a smile to her lips.

She could hardly bear another moment of her sister’s disappointment.

It was one thing to go to balls and soirees, knowing that even if Adelaide were able-bodied, she would not yet be out in Society.

But to experience places in London where Adelaide could go if she were not bound to her invalid chair was insufferable.

Fredrick took hold of Adelaide’s hand and bowed over it. “You will be sorely missed today.”

Nash gave a silent chuckle, and to distract herself, Cecily leaned in briefly as she passed him. “Perhaps you could learn a thing or two from your cousin’s example,” she whispered.

He discreetly grasped her wrist, pausing her and making the length of her arm warm at his touch. “Is that an invitation?”

She met his gaze, her heart strumming a rapid beat. If anyone was to believe they were truly betrothed, they could not continue on as they were. She sighed in resignation. “Unfortunately.”

Nash’s grin grew. “Don’t be too excited by the prospect.”

“I assure you, I’m not in the least.”

“What are the two of you whispering about?” Lord Rothsburg stepped up next to Nash, his gaze shifting between them.

The way the attention of the room turned to Cecily and Nash, she was glad for her forethought, despite how her stomach knotted at what the shift in her and Nash’s relationship might look like. Even if it was only a pretense.

Nash shot his cousin an unapologetic smile. “If you must know, I was telling Miss Bradshaw how utterly breathtaking she looks today.”