Page 9 of A Match of Misfortune (Bachelors of Blackstone’s #7)

Cecily took a seat on the settee near Mrs. Markham. “How was your voyage?” Cecily asked before Nash could resurrect the topic. “It seems you made good time.”

He did not look at her straightaway, likely aware of her tactic, but after a moment, he relented. “Thankfully, the voyage was entirely uneventful. And yes, we managed the trip in just over three months, which is nearly unheard of.”

Of course it was.

“You managed that in an Indiaman?” Mr. Markham asked.

“I did not come in on my ship. I was so eager to return and see my family, as well as to begin tending to all that needs done, that I accepted passage on a smaller, swifter ship that departed not long after the Dawn of India set sail. It belongs to Mr. Steele, the owner of one of East India’s largest shipping companies.

In fact, his son Johnathan, who’s only a few years older than I, was along for the voyage as well. ”

Mr. Markham appeared surprised by the news. “How far behind do you think your ship is?” he asked.

Nash shrugged. “Perhaps a month as it departed the second of January. I heard rumors of poor weather along the route, which could extend the trip, but we experienced none of it, so hopefully my ship will not either. Even so, Captain Carter is a most able seaman and has ample experience on those seas. The cargo is safe, I assure you.”

His father’s posture seemed to relax at the news. “I’m glad to hear it. Perhaps you could meet with the investors soon? Reassure them of your reasons for coming ahead of the ship and that all is well?”

“Of course. I shall gladly go over the information—cargo, actual costs, estimated returns—all of it. I am also seeking investors for the new venture I mentioned.” His gaze flicked to the others. “But we can speak of that later.”

Mr. Markham gave a nod of agreement, and Cecily was slightly piqued at Nash’s assumption that such a conversation was not appropriate to have amongst ladies.

“Your cousin will also be most eager to see you,” Mrs. Markham said. “And introduce you to his new bride.”

“New bride?” Nash stared at Mrs. Markham. “Rothsburg has gone off and gotten himself married?”

“Last autumn. To the daughter of an earl—Lady Bridget. Did you not receive my letter about the wedding?”

“It likely didn’t arrive before my departure.

But good for him.” Theo wiggled in Nash’s arms, and Nash set him down, smiling as he watched him toddle toward their mother.

“It is also nice to hear that, outside of you and Father, someone missed me.” Nash’s gaze slid to Cecily, and for the briefest of moments, she thought he was alluding to her not having missed him.

Which, clearly, she had not. “Speaking of absences, why is your father not here?”

“With the planting season about to begin, he could not be away for so long. Though he will come to retrieve us when it is time for us to go home.”

His head quirked to the side ever so slightly. “How long are you in Town for?”

“Cecily has come for the Season,” Mrs. Markham said. “So she and Adelaide will be here for the length of it. Lady Bridget is to sponsor her.”

There was an intensity to Nash’s consideration that brought color to Cecily’s cheeks. “Is that so?”

She gave a quick dip of her head as acknowledgment. “It is.”

“And how is the hunt for a husband coming along?”

Out of the corner of her eyes, Cecily saw Mr. and Mrs. Markham share a look, though she could not discern if it was concern at their son’s gauche behavior or amusement that passed between them. She lifted her chin and straightened her posture. “I only arrived yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” Nash’s smile grew at her acknowledgment. “What fortuitous timing. Perhaps we might experience the Marriage Mart together.”

Mrs. Markham’s gasp thankfully pulled Nash’s attention from Cecily’s startled look. “Are you hoping to find a wife?” she asked, her wide eyes blinking slowly as she took him in.

He hesitated only a moment. “Considering I don’t know how long it’ll be until I’m next able to return to England, it seems the most practical choice.”

Cecily barely restrained her scoff. He would present the idea with such casual confidence.

As though marrying someone was such a simple thing.

A mere item on a list of others to be completed.

She supposed, however, it likely was that simple for him.

He’d spoken his intention. Now his good luck would see to the rest.

“What wonderful news.” Mrs. Markham beamed at him, clasping her hands in front of her chest. At least now, with Nash returned, the Season would not prove an utter disappointment for Mrs. Markham when Cecily did not marry.

“It certainly is.” Mr. Markham cleared his throat. “Son, what time did you say you needed to depart? I don’t want to rush you, but I fear I must be on my way. I have a meeting within the hour that cannot be delayed.”

“I shall come with you.” Nash hesitated, lifting a hand with a raised finger as though he’d just had a thought. “But first there is something I wish to inform you both of so your household staff does not end up in a frenzy.”

Cecily stilled.

“And what is that?” Mr. Markham asked.

Nash did not look at Cecily, but his lips lifted into a teasing grin that made her stomach clench. “I stayed the night here—at least the latter part of the night—in the room across from the nursery.”

Mrs. Markham’s brow pinched together. “How did you get into the house?”

“I recommend you see about getting new window locks,” Nash said. “Particularly in the dining room. The window nearest the hearth will unlatch with the correct maneuvering.”

Mrs. Markham sent her husband a nervous glance. “Oh, heavens. That’s not safe.”

“I will look into having the locks replaced.” Mr. Markham patted his son’s back appreciatively. “Thank you for letting us know. About the locks and the slept-in bed. The maids will certainly be curious as to who slept there.”

At Mr. Markham’s words, Mrs. Markham glanced from Nash to Cecily, then back to Nash again, her brow wrinkling ever so slightly. “How was it you knew to go to the room across from the nursery?”

Cecily’s stomach dropped. The implied question was clear: why had Nash not gone to his own room? The room where Cecily had been sleeping ?

She thought to confess the whole of it right then, but she couldn’t get herself to speak the words.

Not with Mr. Markham and Adelaide present.

And not when Mrs. Markham would wish to know the entirety of the story—a story Cecily had no desire to recount.

Instead, she set her sights on the floor in front of her, readying for Nash’s admission.

“The door was locked,” Nash said matter-of-factly, pulling Cecily’s attention to him again. It wasn’t even a lie. She had locked the door just after his nighttime visit.

“Of course.” Mrs. Markham released an audible sigh, apparently recalling she had encountered a locked door herself when she’d gone to visit Cecily that morning.

“I suppose it was fortunate that before bed last night, I warned Cecily of a certain nighttime visitor. ” S he sent a flick of her chin toward Jamison, who was once again on the floor playing with his toys.

“That was fortunate,” Mr. Markham agreed.

“Indeed.” Nash glanced back toward Cecily. “I can only imagine how utterly relieved Miss Bradshaw is that she heeded your counsel. That could have been quite the scandal.”

Any gratitude Cecily had felt at Nash’s withholding what had happened dissipated instantly.

Mrs. Markham’s eyebrows raised. “It certainly wouldn’t have been ideal.”

“Now that we’ve cleared that up,” Mr. Markham said, moving to where his wife sat cradling Theo. He placed a kiss on her cheek. “We really should be on our way.”

She reached up and touched his jaw tenderly. “Have a good day, my love.”

Cecily couldn’t help but smile at the mutual affection, but when her gaze shifted from them, she found Nash watching her with a look of amusement. She glanced away, shifting her attention to Adelaide, who also watched the scene with contentment.

“Do not stay away long,” Mrs. Markham said to Nash. “This visit was far too brief, and there’s much we wish to hear about. ”

“You could not keep me away if you wanted to. Besides,” the volume of his voice increased slightly, “I have brought gifts from India that I am eager to present.”

Jamison’s gaze shot to Nash. “Have you brought a gift for me?”

“Of course.”

“When shall I get it?”

“It is in my trunks, which are currently still on the ship. But I’ll bring it soon.”

Jamison hopped up from his place and hurried toward Nash, wrapping his arms around him. “Thank you!”

Mrs. Markham’s smile was full of gratitude. “That was very kind of you.”

“They are mainly just trinkets.”

“Regardless, it is much appreciated.”

Nash mussed Jamison’s hair again and sent him back to his line of soldiers. “I will not delay Father any longer. I shall see you all soon.”

Mr. Markham gave a farewell nod, and Nash, with one last glance over his shoulder that landed briefly on Cecily, disappeared into the corridor behind his father.

With his removal, Cecily breathed more easily.

Mrs. Markham laughed and shook her head. “And here I’d thought he’d returned as we were taking breakfast. That boy.”

Cecily found she was desperate for a change of subject. “Are those new curtains?”

At the abrupt shift in conversation, Mrs. Markham followed Cecily’s line of sight. “No, they are the same.”

“Hmm. I suppose they are.” Cecily gave a nod of confirmation. “I do like them. The yellow is very fashionable right now.”

“It is,” Adelaide said, adding to Cecily’s reassurance. “ Ackermann’s Repository had an illustration with yellow curtains very much like them in its last periodical.”

“That is good news.” Mrs. Markham glanced toward the admired curtains. “With how things are at the bank, it will be awhile yet before we could consider having them redone. Or anything else, for that matter.”

Cecily shared an uncertain glance with Adelaide. “Are things not going well?”

Mrs. Markham set down Theo, who had decided he wished to join his brother.

“With so many lost crops last year, several gentlemen would have defaulted on their loans had Mr. Markham not convinced his partner that they should suspend repayments for a time. Between that and our investment in Nash’s mercantile venture, things are a bit tighter financially than is typical. ”

Cecily leaned forward in her seat. “I did not realize?—”

“Neither of you need to worry yourselves over it. Once Nash’s ship arrives with the cargo, all will be well.”

The women fell silent for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts. Regrettably, Cecily’s mind went to Nash and how, now that he was home, she would likely be seeing him more than she cared to. Particularly if he began attending societal events on his quest for a wife.

“I still cannot believe Nash intends to marry,” Adelaide said, her thoughts having apparently been along a similar vein as Cecily’s.

“I worry that his returning to India might limit his prospects,” Mrs. Markham said, clearly also contemplating Nash’s situation. “But then again, my concern is likely heedless. Nash always seems to accomplish what he sets his mind to.”

As though it had anything to do with him and not his uncanny luck.

A shrill wail sent the attention of all three to Theo. He made a desperate grab at one of the tin soldiers, but Jamison swiped it back from him.

“He can’t play,” Jamison said to his mother, interrupting the conversation.

“He puts them in his mouth.” It was remarkable how much Jamison looked like a younger version of his father and older brother, whereas Theo possessed Mrs. Markham’s jet-black hair, blue eyes, and dimpled chin.

Though with how hefty he was, he would also likely take after the Markham men when it came to sheer size.

Mrs. Markham retrieved a wooden horse from the coffee table and attempted to give it to Theo, but he pushed it away, wanting nothing but the toy soldier.

“Here,” Cecily said, making her way to Theo and holding her hands out for him. “Why don’t we see if we can get you something of your own to play with?”

After a moment of consideration, Theo reached for her. Warmth filled her at the small gesture of trust. She had not seen Theo since last autumn, which was nearly half a life ago for him.

“You needn’t do that, Cecily,” Mrs. Markham said.

Cecily stood, settling Theo onto her hip.

She needed a quick respite to clear her mind after her interaction with Nash, and this was the perfect excuse.

“As honorary aunt, it is my duty to indulge these boys’ every whim.

” Mrs. Markham’s approving smile was all the permission she required. “We shall return shortly.”

Making her way from the room with Theo, Cecily attempted to keep her mind from straying to Nash and the realization that his return to London would make this Season all the more unbearable.