Page 29 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)
Chapter Seventeen
N ash and the others returned to the carriage, the general mood much more solemn than when they had first arrived on Bond Street a few hours before.
In truth, he had not expected the outing to be so taxing.
He’d attempted to remain unaffected by the countless slights he’d received from people who had been friendly to him a mere week-and-a-half ago.
From gentlemen who had been eager to learn of upcoming investment opportunities.
The whole experience had been a more dismal one than he cared to admit, but what was most distressing was to see the Rothsburgs and Cecily similarly treated on his account.
Then there had been his disagreement with Cecily in the haberdashers.
He had not meant to upset her with his heedless comment, and yet that was precisely what he had managed.
It hardly mattered that he had spoken a true concern of his.
A concern that he had not even fully voiced.
But he should have gone about it differently.
Cecily’s fixed gaze out the carriage window confirmed this.
All things considered, today had been a disappointment, and the thought of spending the next few hours in the Rothsburgs’ drawing room being spurned by visitors who had no prior knowledge of his being there seemed unbearable.
Nash glanced toward Lady Bridget and Rothsburg. “Would it be too much to ask if your carriage dropped me off at home once you are all returned to Brayton House? I have some work I must see to, but I shall meet you at Hyde Park for the fashionable hour.”
“If that is what you prefer.” Lady Bridget appeared unusually weary, and he hoped their outing had not put undue stress on her while in such a delicate state. A delicate state Rothsburg had still failed to tell him of.
It wasn’t long before the carriage rolled to a stop. Fredrick exited, followed by Rothsburg and Lady Bridget. Cecily remained seated when Lady Bridget turned to see what had delayed her. “Is there anything the matter?”
“I might return to the Markhams’ as well, if you are not opposed.”
Lady Bridget looked as startled by the notion as Nash did. “Do you still have your headache from earlier?”
“No, I simply want to see how Adelaide is faring and give her the ribbons I purchased.”
A knowing smile settled on Lady Bridget’s lips, her gaze darting to Nash ever so briefly. Unfortunately, there was no merit in her obvious suspicions. “Of course. If anyone visits, I shall give them your regrets.”
If. Nash did not miss the doubt in her words. That was certainly his doing.
“You are welcome to share the news of our betrothal where you see fit,” Cecily said.
Lady Bridget nodded and took a backward step, leaving room for her husband to close the door.
Rothsburg glanced into the carriage, then back at his wife. “What is happening?”
“Cecily is to return to the Markhams’ as well. ”
“Does that mean I must ride with them as a chaperone?”
Lady Bridget dropped her chin. “When we were betrothed, we rode alone together in a carriage on a number of occasions.”
“Precisely. Which is why I should probably go along. We are well aware of what can happen in those short minutes, and I should not like them stealing kisses on our watch.”
Lady Bridget’s cheeks pinked. “Oswald, your brother is present.”
Rothsburg glanced behind him where Fredrick stood with a smirk on his face. “As though he isn’t thinking the very same thing. Am I right, Fredrick?”
Fredrick simply laughed.
“Perhaps you should sit over on the other side, Mr. Markham.” Lady Bridget pointed to the other end of the rear-facing seat, the place Fredrick had just vacated. The one farthest from Cecily. “I’m certain that would set Oswald’s mind at ease.”
“Entirely.” Rothsburg’s voice was full of sarcasm. “It is most unlikely he should move the minute the carriage is out of sight.”
Nash slid over to where Lady Bridget had indicated and lifted his hand as if taking an oath. “I shall not move from this spot unless it’s completely necessary.”
“There, you see?” Lady Bridget gave a triumphant smile. “Now close the door and let them be on their way.”
Rothsburg shook his head but did as his wife bid him, hitting a hand on the side of the carriage. “Driver, straight to the Markhams’ with no detours.”
Cecily’s cheeks glowed red, but she refocused her attention out the window. As the carriage rolled forward, Nash prepared himself to spend the next quarter of an hour in uncomfortable silence.
“You’re not wrong,” Cecily said, her voice barely audible above the din of the carriage.
He glanced over at her to make certain he had not simply imagined that she’d spoken, but her gaze did not shift from the passing sights of Mayfair.
After a moment, she released a quiet sigh, the only sign she had actually spoken.
“Since Adelaide was born, my father has been fiercely protective of her. In part because of her ailment, and in part, I believe, because of her uncanny resemblance to my mother. I sometimes think he views Adelaide as an extension of my mother—the only remaining piece he has of her. When she was young, Papa was optimistic that people would accept her once they came to know her. That she could have some semblance of a normal life. Unfortunately, outside of our close friends, that did not prove to be true. Rumors began that her ill luck caused my mother’s death during childbirth and her deformity was a mark of it.
Over the years, it became easier to remain at Penrose Court. ”
Nash did not know what to say. To think anyone might view Adelaide in such a way was not only shocking but contemptible. She was the dearest girl he knew.
Cecily’s gaze shifted, and her eyes finally met Nash’s. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this, except to say I’m all too aware of the things that Adelaide is missing out on.”
“It must be hard. Not only for her, but for you and your father as well.” Nash recognized how much Cecily had given up for her sister.
How much she continued to give up for her.
From what he had witnessed and things his mother had conveyed over the years, it was as if, in some ways, Cecily had allowed Adelaide’s ailment to become her own.
Cecily gave a hard swallow, and her eyes glistened with tears. “It is certainly not easy to watch her suffer. To know she will not have the same opportunities as others.”
The opportunities Cecily refused to let herself have.
She wiped a stray tear from her cheek. “But it is nothing to what she must endure. And I cannot think there is much to be done for it. ”
“I heard you speaking to Adelaide last night in the library—about the plight of the peacock—and I agree with you. She may not see it, but Adelaide is everything that is good. She is beautiful and kind and full of love.” Nash hesitated, uncertain if he should say more.
“She deserves to live her life unfettered by those who refuse to realize it.”
Cecily dropped her gaze to her hands. “Whether she deserves it is not the question.”
“No. Not at all.” He released a pent-up breath. “I simply wonder if enough of us support her, countering those who will not treat her well, that perhaps she might stretch her wings a little. Venture into the world instead of always watching it from a distance with yearning eyes.”
“What of her physical limitations?” There was no animosity in Cecily’s voice, only sincerity, as though she wished there were some sort of solution. “Her chair is not conducive to most places. You have pushed it before. Think of how difficult it is to navigate even on even floors.”
He gave a reluctant nod of agreement. It was true.
The chair was tricky to maneuver, the small wheel in back caught on everything, the larger wheels were rigid, and there was always the fear of it tipping.
If only there were another way to get her around.
As if by providence, an image flashed in Nash’s mind, and an idea churned in him.
A good idea, at that. Not that he would say as much yet.
He would not risk disappointing Cecily if he could not manage it, but if he could, Adelaide might join them on some of their outings.
They were to visit the Royal Menagerie at the Exeter Exchange tomorrow.
Perhaps, if he saw to the task tonight, she could come along.
Cecily’s gaze shifted out the window again, and with the opportunity presenting itself, Nash couldn’t help but admire her profile—the delicate angle of her chin, her dark lashes, her pert nose, and the fullness of those pink lips.
Her gaze returned to him, catching him in his reverie and causing the color in her cheeks to deepen. “I suppose, now that we have a moment alone, we should also discuss those burning questions of yours.”
“Regarding our sham betrothal?”
Color saturated deep into her lovely, full cheeks. “Our temporary betrothal,” she said decidedly. “If we see it as that, we needn’t feel as though we are deceiving everyone.”
The logic did not add up. If a couple knew they were to break off a betrothal eventually, how could it be anything but a sham?
Not that he would disappoint Cecily in this if her honesty demanded it, but he could not resist testing her resolve a bit.
“I’m glad to know it is an actual betrothal.
I suppose we truly can take advantage of those benefits Lady Bridget mentioned. ”
She went rigid in her seat. “We are alone together in a carriage, are we not?”
Nash quirked a playful brow. “Yes, but Rothsburg spoke of stealing kisses during their carriage rides together. It seems the proper course of action for those of us who are truly betrothed. Even if only temporarily.”
Cecily lifted her chin slightly. “Are you curious as to why I enacted this plan?” she asked, ignoring his teasing entirely.
“I have a few theories but nothing concrete.”
She eyed him. “What are your theories?”