Page 37 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)

“That allows the chair to traverse the cobblestone and uneven surfaces.” He took hold of the long handle. “And this allows it to either be steered by the rider or be pulled from the front.”

Cecily considered it for a moment and nodded. “I think it will suit. I only hope she will agree.”

“Let’s find out, shall we?” He moved to the rear and pushed it forward, using the long horizontal bar at the back, but when it nearly hit the wall, Cecily took hold of the handle, guiding it through the doorway and into the large corridor at the base of the stairs.

It was far easier to maneuver than it appeared.

“I shall fetch Adelaide,” Cecily said when the Bath chair was positioned. She stepped into the drawing room, smiling at the scene before her. Adelaide played soldiers with Jamison on the table near the settee while Mrs. Markham and Theo watched. “Well, isn’t this a cheerful image?”

“Auntie Cecily!” Jamison hopped up from his place and ran to give her a hug.

She stepped forward to make certain he didn’t glimpse the chair in the corridor and unintentionally give away the surprise. “Who is winning the battle?” Cecily asked, returning his embrace.

He gave a bright smile. “I am.”

“Only just,” Adelaide said with humor in her voice.

Cecily’s gaze lifted to her sister. “Adelaide, I was wondering if I might have a quick word with you.”

Mrs. Markham lowered her knowing smile, clearly having been told of what awaited her, while Adelaide gave Cecily a quizzical look. “Of course.”

Cecily moved behind her sister’s chair and carefully steered it toward the corridor. “Nash has something for you.”

“For me?” Adelaide followed Cecily’s gaze to where Nash stood, then it shifted to the chair. “What is that?”

“It is a Bath chair,” Nash said, shifting to the side so Adelaide could have a better look. “Your sister and I were hoping you might join us on our outing today.”

Adelaide glanced at Cecily as they continued forward. “In earnest?”

Cecily nodded.

Her smile dimmed slightly. “But will people not look at me oddly?”

“Why must we care what others think?” Cecily attempted to conjure Nash’s confidence. “As long as you are enjoying yourself, it should not matter.”

“Besides,” Nash said, drawing their attention, “if anyone will receive others’ disapproving looks, it will be me. I have quite the reputation, as of late.”

A smile came to Cecily’s lips. “It is true. You should have seen the looks we collected yesterday on Bond Street. Several direct cuts as well.”

Adelaide dropped her gaze to the floor, obviously considering the idea. “I have always wanted to go to the menagerie, but I do not think I could bear for people?—”

“I fear if you do not go, then I cannot either,” Nash said, even taking Cecily by surprise. “Unless my being there is the reason for your hesitation?”

Her gaze lifted to his, a look of utter dismay on her face. “Of course it isn’t. I don’t care what people might think about you. I would never be embarrassed to be in your company.”

“And I would never be embarrassed to be in yours. Bath chair or not. ”

At the fervent sincerity in both his look and his words, an unexpected sting touched Cecily’s eyes, and she forced her gaze downward.

Mrs. Markham, who now stood at her side, put Theo down and placed an arm around Cecily.

Though she appreciated the gesture, it only brought Cecily’s tears closer to falling.

“Very well,” Adelaide said after another moment of consideration, and Cecily could hear the nervous excitement in her voice. “It is not as though many people should know me here in London, anyway.”

Nash clapped his hands together. “That is the spirit.”

“What is that?” Jamison asked, coming into the corridor. “May I sit in it?”

“Of course you can.” Nash lifted his brother to place him on the seat. “But you need know this is Adelaide’s chair, so when we arrive at the menagerie, you may only ride on it if you are in her lap and she agrees to your being there.”

Jamison nodded his agreement.

Cecily glanced at Mrs. Markham. “Are you to come with us, then?”

“If you don’t mind our intrusion, Nash insisted that if Adelaide agreed to go, Jamison and I must also come. Theo would remain with Nurse, of course.”

“I should love you to be there.”

Theo toddled up to Nash’s side, and Nash lifted him onto the seat as well.

A knock at the front door stole the group’s attention.

“That must be the Rothsburgs,” Mrs. Markham said, waiting for Caldwell to answer the door. Sure enough, Lord Rothsburg and Bridget stepped inside with Fredrick right behind them, all of them wiping water from their saturated outer clothes.

Cecily felt her shoulders drop as she started toward her friend in the entry hall. “Is it raining out?”

Bridget looked at her with a sympathetic expression. “A torrential downpour. It began when we were not five minutes from here, so we figured we might as well wait it out here and hope it ceases as swiftly as it started. If that is acceptable to you?”

“Of course it is,” Mrs. Markham said, smiling.

“Do we have plans for this evening?” Cecily asked, worried that a postponed departure would mean they wouldn’t have ample time at the menagerie.

“We have the McMillans’ card party, but that is after dinner, so there is no rush.” Bridget shifted her gaze to Nash. “You will join us, will you not?”

“Are they aware I’m coming?”

“They are aware Cecily is coming, and now that the two of you are betrothed, they will not question your joining us.”

Nash looked far from convinced. “Are you certain it’s wise for me to go when I’ve not been invited? I would hate to cause another scene.”

“I would not be the least bit put out if you did,” Rothsburg said, receiving an elbow nudge from his wife. “What? We are only going because our mothers are dear friends with Lady McMillan, but you know we’ll be the youngest guests there by a decade or more.”

“The last card party we attended of theirs was before the Season began,” Bridget countered. “There will most assuredly be others our age this time. In fact, Lord Harlow told me at the park last night that he is to be in attendance.”

“On second thought,” Nash said, “I’ll gladly come along.”

Of course he would. Cecily could hardly blame him for claiming another benefit of their arrangement—a victory over his long-time rival, as temporary as it was. Though she could not help but feel sorry for Lord Harlow.

“We won’t plan to stay the whole of it,” Rothsburg said. “Last time, it went far too late, and Bridget needs her rest. ”

Bridget’s eyes flicked upward, though her smile made it obvious she found his coddling endearing.

Nash folded his arms across his chest, and his eyes landed expectantly on his cousin. “And why would your wife need rest? Is there something you’ve neglected to tell me, Rothsburg?”

Rothsburg’s mouth opened, then closed again, his brow pinching together. “Did I not mention Lady Bridget is with child?”

“Not to me, though everyone else seems to have been let in on the happy news.”

An unrepentant grin lit Rothsburg’s face. “Are you pouting?”

Nash’s eyes narrowed slightly, though even from where Cecily stood, she could see the corners of his mouth twitching. “I have every right to pout. This was a monumental announcement, and you failed to mention it to me.”

“Not unlike how you forgot to tell me you had offered for Miss Bradshaw, all the while insisting you did not care for her in that way.”

The comment had a force to it that Cecily was unprepared for, but she quickly trained her expression lest anyone glimpse her hurt.

She knew Nash did not care for her. Their betrothal was only temporary.

And instigated by her, no less. She was clearly allowing her wayward emotions too much influence.

But no more!

She would be stronger.

Cecily pulled back her shoulders and forced out a smile, hoping she appeared entirely impervious to the comment. “Is that so?”

Nash’s expression was guarded when he met Cecily’s taunting stare. “I only said it because, at the time, I did not realize you returned my affections.”

It did not matter that he sounded genuine. She knew the truth .

“What is that contraption?” Fredrick asked, changing the subject at the most opportune moment.

“It’s for Adelaide,” Nash said. “So that she may join us at the menagerie.”

“Capital idea!” Fredrick moved closer to look at the mechanics of it. “Can it be pulled as well as steered?”

“It can. I’ve even heard of a small pony being harnessed to the handle.”

“Like a chaise for one person,” Bridget said from where she stood near the drawing room doors.

“Exactly.”

Fredrick gave an enthusiastic smile. “How do I get a ride?”

Jamison beamed with confidence at supposedly knowing the answer. “Nash said that if you ask Adelaide nicely, and she agrees to it, you can ride on her lap.” He paused, looking from Fredrick to a blushing Adelaide. “You’re bigger than her, though.”

Fredrick chuckled. “Perhaps I’ll need to convince her to ride on mine, then.”

Jamison nodded, likely having no idea that the suggestion was completely improper.

With one quick smile toward Adelaide, Fredrick set his attention on a bouncing Theo. “Is this young man your brother?”

“It is,” Jamison affirmed. “His name is Theo. And who are you?”

He smiled. “You do not remember me, Jamison? I am your favorite cousin, Fredrick. Though it has been a few years since we’ve seen one another, so I shall forgive you for not recalling that detail. Or me.” Fredrick pointed at him. “This time only, though.”

Jamison gave a nod, but the uncertain smile on his lips made it apparent he thought Fredrick was teasing him. Or at least suspected as much .

“Nash, dear,” Mrs. Markham said, drawing his attention. “Now that the Rothsburgs are to stay for a time, would you mind bringing your brothers upstairs to Nurse while I see to serving our guests tea?”

Nash gave a dip of his head. “Of course, Mother.”

Jamison frowned. “What about the menagerie?”

Mrs. Markham gave a small frown. “We must wait for it to stop raining. But we shall not go without you.” She glanced at Bridget, realizing that, except for Adelaide, the Rothsburgs had not yet been told of the added members to their party. “As long as that is acceptable to the both of you.”

“The more the merrier,” Bridget said.

“Certainly,” Lord Rothsburg agreed.

Nash glanced down at his brother. “You heard Mother. Let’s get you boys upstairs.”

“Can Auntie Cecily take us?” Jamison asked.

Nash’s brows raised. “You prefer Auntie Cecily over your own brother?”

Jamison gave an innocent nod.

“Jamison!” Mrs. Markham gave a small shake of her head. “That is not very kind.”

“But it is the truth, and you always say we must tell the truth.”

Cecily bit back her gloating smile. “I shall gladly take the boys upstairs and join you all in a moment.”

Mrs. Markham sent Nash an apologetic look, then nodded her approval. “Thank you, Cecily.”

As Mrs. Markham and the Rothsburgs made their way into the drawing room, Fredrick paused in front of Adelaide. “Might I assist you?”

With her timid smile and nod, he took hold of the back of her chair and carefully pushed her forward, ensuring her back wheel did not catch on anything .

“Ready?” Cecily put out her hands for Theo, and he eagerly reached for her, wrapping his arms tightly around her neck.

Nash gave her a pointed grin. “You are enjoying this, aren’t you?”

She reached for Jamison’s hand and sent Nash a victorious smile. “Perhaps a little.”

As she made her way to the staircase with the Markham boys, she could sense Nash’s gaze following her. But she would not look. She would not fall prey to his charms again. She was stronger than that.