Page 28 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)

Cecily and Bridget walked arm in arm along the pavement of New Bond Street, a few paces in front of Nash, Lord Rothsburg, and Fredrick.

She could hear the men discussing Fredrick’s efforts at the Bond Street Roll, and their teasing him about how he might improve upon his attempts at the distinct walk that the young men who strolled Bond Street were apparently known for.

Bridget leaned in close to Cecily. “And men say the female sex is silly. At least we do not spend so much effort trying to imitate another person’s gait.” Bridget’s gaze slid forward, and her posture straightened. “Look, here comes Lady Victoria and the duchess.”

Cecily appraised the young woman. She looked utterly bored as her mother spoke to her, and when her gaze shifted forward, she offered a brief nod to Bridget and Cecily before her focus settled on Nash.

Her eyes widened, and she quickly steered her mother toward the door of Chappel & Co. , where the two of them stepped inside.

“It seems Lady Victoria desperately needed new sheet music for the pianoforte,” Cecily said.

“She does not play the pianoforte.” Bridget’s gaze slid to Cecily.

“I would assume her slight has to do with Mr. Markham’s haste to secure a dance with you before Lord Harlow could.

Oswald said she was mid-sentence when he made his excuses and left.

Though I suppose she could also be tainted by the rumors against him. ”

Was it true? Had Nash abandoned Lady Victoria to come to her aid? Not that she had required it, nor had she wanted it .

Cecily stepped around a ladder placed against the front of the building and discreetly glanced into the shop window where the two women stood whispering near the door, watching the passing group.

Lady Victoria’s focus was set upon Nash, but her scowl was softer now, and as she had not removed herself farther into the store, Cecily could only guess that she wished for him to glimpse her standing there.

The thought nettled her, and she barely refrained from looking behind her to see if he did so.

“All will be well.” Bridget said it as though she were assuring herself just as much as Cecily.

“Whatever people’s reasons are for avoiding us, it is the first time Mr. Markham has been out among Society since the mishap.

We simply must remain unaffected and show our support of him.

” She paused and glanced over her shoulder, her eyes growing wide and her lips parting.

“Mr. Markham, did you honestly just step under that ladder?”

He peered behind him. “Yes? With all three of us walking on the pavement, we would not have fit otherwise.”

Bridget set her head to the side and gave a small huff. “Everything we are doing to get your luck back will be for naught if you are so careless. Perhaps you should come and walk with Cecily and me for a time. It would be helpful for the two of you to be seen with one another, in any case.”

Nash obediently stepped forward, and Bridget took a step away from Cecily, allowing Nash to step between them. He offered Cecily his arm, which she accepted with as much enthusiasm as she could manage.

The three of them started walking again while Lord Rothsburg and Fredrick continued on with their previous conversation in their wake.

Cecily ignored the way her nerves fluttered about as Nash’s regard shifted to her instead focusing on Bridget’s discussion of where they might purchase an object of good fortune.

The auction house was mentioned, but upon passing, it was not open, so they soon found themselves at an antique shop where Nash, at Bridget’s insistence, purchased a hole-less coin that was purported to be lucky by the shopkeeper.

Cecily was confident the man did not truly believe it to be so.

When Cecily caught sight of the haberdashers across the street, she paused, glancing at Bridget.

“Might we stop there? I wish to purchase some ribbons for Adelaide.” The cabinetmaker where she had purchased a frame for Adelaide’s new filigree project was going to have it sent to the Markhams’ later that day so it needn’t be carried about, and Cecily did not wish to return to her sister empty-handed.

“Certainly. I am in need of a new pair of gloves, anyway. My fingers have become so swollen as of late.”

Nash sent Cecily a knowing look, and she supposed his cousin still had not shared the news with him. It was clearly an oversight on Lord Rothsburg’s part, but Nash clearly meant to take it as an offense. Cecily would mention it to Bridget later.

Bridget glanced at her husband. “We are going to the haberdashers. Would you care to join us?”

“Not if we needn’t,” Lord Rothsburg said, and Fredrick offered a hesitant smile of agreement.

Bridget gave a small shrug of her shoulders. “I suppose that is preferable. That way, I need not be so economical in my decision of which gloves to purchase.”

Rothsburg smiled as though he knew exactly what his wife was playing at. “You well know I’ll give you your way regardless, so I might as well save myself and poor Fredrick here from the torment of perusing ribbons and threads and other things we care nothing about.”

Nash gestured at his cousins. “I am also happy to remain?—”

“You are coming with us,” Bridget said without the slightest hesitation. “We cannot risk you involving yourself in any mischief.”

Nash balked in offense, but Bridget started across the cobblestone street, toting him and, consequently, Cecily along with her.

When they stepped through the shop doors, Bridget released her hold on Nash’s arm. “I shall come find the two of you momentarily,” she said before starting toward a display of gloves.

At Bridget implying she and Nash would remain together, Cecily hesitated. They’d not had a moment alone since the previous night, and though she knew she needed to speak with him, she was certain this was not the best place to begin such a conversation.

“Do not look so frightened to be left alone with me,” he said with a pointed smile. “I do not plan to ask you all my burning questions here.”

At how the thought of having the conversation in private made her stomach swoop, perhaps allowing it to take place in the haberdashers was not the worst idea. Though they would certainly not have long enough to discuss it in the measure that it needed to be discussed.

“I’m assuming those are the ribbons?” Nash gestured to a cabinet with glass-fronted drawers displaying rolls of ribbons in a myriad of colors and styles.

At the haberdashers back in Staplehurst, there were typically fewer than two dozen options draped over a wooden rack.

This cabinet had as many drawers as that, each with several options in view.

Cecily allowed Nash to escort her to it and conveniently released his arm to begin her search.

She started at the drawer with purples and found a lovely lavender ribbon.

Then she continued browsing, selecting a sea blue, a bright canary yellow, and a deep burgundy, leaving a strip of each dangling down the drawer face to be cut for her purchase.

“This one would suit you.” Nash held a muted greenish blue ribbon that looked like the sea on a stormy day. It was a lovely color. “The dress you wore to my parents’ wedding was this same color. It looked very well on you.”

Cecily’s heart pattered. He remembered what she’d worn that day? Her gaze dropped to the ribbon again. Then, not knowing what else to do, she reached out to finger the satiny length. “Thank you. I do adore this color.”

“As do I.” His attention returned to the cabinet, and he pulled out another ribbon, this one an enchanting green. “And what about this one for Adelaide?”

“It is nearly the same color as her eyes,” Cecily said, mindlessly reaching out to touch it. She glanced over her selections and then at the many other drawers, wishing Adelaide could be here choosing the ribbons herself. It was not fair that she could not be.

Nash’s gaze trailed over Cecily’s expression. “Is something amiss?”

With Nash’s attention so intently upon her, and having no desire to surrender to the strange wave of surging emotions, she allowed her agitation from earlier to resurface.

She needed to speak with Nash regarding his careless comments, and now was as good a time as any.

After a quick glance around to make sure no one was near enough to hear, she met Nash’s curious stare.

“It was unfeeling of you to ask Adelaide to join us today.”

Nash did not flinch but just looked at her. “Adelaide needn’t be out in Society to visit Bond Street.”

“Even if we could manage to traverse the shops and the cobblestone roads with her invalid chair, people would stare at her and scorn her. Her life is not like others. It will never be. So please stop acting as though it is.”

“So you and your father simply intend to keep her shut away her whole life, thinking that will somehow protect her from hurt? What about the hurt of missing out on all the things life has to offer? Is that not worse than the curious gazes of onlookers and an occasional cruel comment? ”

Cecily reeled back at the force of his remark.

At the underlying accusation. “What do you know of any of it? Of trials and hardships? You’ve had no one to think of but yourself.

And until a week ago, your life has been nothing but ease and effortless success.

If you saw how she suffered, if you knew how those biting comments and pernicious sniggers affected her, you would not accuse my father or me of keeping her shut away her whole life .

Perhaps that is why fate has dealt you this unlucky hand, so that you can feel, to some small degree, what other people must face daily. ”

He stared at her. “Forgive me. I did not mean to cause offense. I know how dearly you and your father love her.”

Tears pricked Cecily’s eyes, and she was forced to glance away or risk them breaking free.

“And what are we discussing over here?” Bridget asked, a wrapped package in her hand.

“Which ribbons we should purchase for Adelaide,” Cecily said with an overdone cheeriness. She indicated the various selections she had pulled out, as if she required proof of what she claimed.

Bridget considered each. “What about a pink? It is the loveliest color on her.”

“Yes.” Cecily turned her attention back to the drawers, working along the pinks.

Bridget pointed at a wide, blush-colored ribbon. “That one.”

“Perfect,” Cecily said. “It will look lovely with the shawl Mr. Markham brought her from India.”

“Speaking of gifts,” Nash said, sending Cecily a cautious glance. “I’ve not yet had the opportunity to give you yours. Remind me when we are home, and I shall collect them for you.”

“You bought Cecily gifts while you were in India?” Bridget asked. “And for her sister as well?”

Nash gave a slow nod, seeming to realize what that implied. “I did. ”

She beamed at his acknowledgment. “You truly have been in love with her for a long time.”

“A very long time.” Nash sounded impressively convincing.

Bridget released an airy sigh, but Cecily knew the gifts he claimed to have brought for her were items he’d intended for someone else.

Or likely objects he’d planned to trade.

Even if he recalled the color of a dress she’d worn years ago, Nash had not given her a second thought while he was away. She was certain of it.

Fairly certain, anyway.

Cecily took a backward step. “I shall see the clerk about cutting the ribbons we have selected.” Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away.