Page 22 of Miss Hawthorne’s Unlikely Husband (The Troublemakers Trilogy #3)

Thornfield House

R ichard was anxious. He was man enough to admit that. Elodia had left a soiree hosted by Regina three days ago, and as far as he was aware, she hadn’t been seen since. Anywhere. He’d attended no less than five events either hosted or attended by their circle and she was nowhere to be found.

The only source of comfort was that there was no talk of her either, which meant it was self-imposed.

Nothing had driven her into seclusion, or at least nothing that was common knowledge.

The only lead he had was currently playing on the floor with her two children, her linen gown spread out on the Persian rug.

His current plan was to stay close to A’wei, hoping she would bring up the subject so he could find out details without arousing her dogged interest. Now they were in the sitting room, her reading a book to her squirmy son, and him pretending to work on his business correspondence.

“Would you allow me to host a ball here, brother?” she asked.

He blinked and looked over at her. That was an unexpected question, but his answer was instinctive. “Absolutely not.”

She rolled her eyes half-heartedly. “What about a party instead?”

“To what purpose?” He’d learned to be wary of his sister’s plotting.

“I thought you wanted to marry this year,” she replied, meeting his stare.

“I did.”

“Is that still your intention?”

“It is.” Although he could wait if it meant that he’d have to put up with all those strangers in his home. Was that what he would have to do? The idea was entirely unappealing.

“I was thinking we could have a party and invite prospective females for you to charm. We have attended a good deal of soirees and balls this season; it would be polite to throw one and extend the courtesy to those who suit our purpose.”

“You think they would come?”

“I don’t see why not. Our name and reputation must count for something. And if needed, we can sweeten the pot with Leo and dear Basil. You are not without friends, brother.”

He wondered if he could explain how it felt to know that the best thing about him was his connection to someone else. What was the point of saying it? She was only trying to help and she wasn’t wrong. “True.”

“So?”

“A party is fine,” he acquiesced, although he still had his doubts. If he wanted to be taken seriously, he’d have to play the part seriously. Better to have the party here than at Lodge Hall.

“Really?” Her eyes grew brighter, and he nearly took it all back.

“Yes. A small one. Run the particulars by me first, though.”

“Of course.”

Would she invite Elodia? Would she even come?

He didn’t know what had happened, but he remembered the expression on her face before Viscount Melbroke had taken her home.

She looked as though she had seen a ghost, and it had taken everything in him to leave her to her father and not scoop her up and whisk her away himself.

Not that he had any right to do so, of course.

Even if that kiss of hers had left an indelible mark on his mind.

He could still feel the slight pressure of her fingers against his skin and her soft mouth against his, imparting what all her words hadn’t managed to convey.

The tenderness of that touch haunted him.

It had triggered an ache in his heart, a wish for something more.

It had been easy enough to pretend he could do without before he knew what it would feel like to be touched by someone who cared for him, who loved him.

He didn’t regret his choice to stay away.

He knew well enough that he wasn’t the right man for her.

She was too fine, too precious for someone like him.

Not that anyone else was putting forth the effort.

His blood was still at a low boil after the stunt that Lewis boy pulled.

He had all but admitted that he had no intention of courting her no matter how he behaved in public.

Not a novel concept considering her birth but then why waste her time and give her hope?

Was the idiot trying to get called out by the viscount?

The insult of that alone would have been enough to drive a lesser woman to tears, but unless he missed his guess, Elodia had been more annoyed than desolate when she left the room.

When she returned, however, there had been no composure left.

She was shattered, holding herself together through sheer force of will.

Something had happened out there and whatever it was, it had hurt her far beyond anything else.

Did A’wei know what had happened? Had Elodia confided in her?

Did it make sense to keep waiting or should he simply ask, especially while she was distracted by flowers, food and musical arrangements?

“Sister,” he began, “Have you seen Miss Hawthorne lately?”

A’wei gave him a dubious look. “You mean Ellie?”

“You know I do.”

“Since when do you refer to her as ‘Miss Hawthorne’?”

He closed his eyes against an uncharacteristic wave of frustration.

He rarely grew frustrated with A’wei. But he was nearly beside himself with worry and the last thing he needed was someone needling him.

“You know when,” he replied, unwilling to play games at the moment.

“We both decided that a bit more structure around our interactions couldn’t hurt.

In any event, it is the correct way after all. ”

“I suppose. I haven’t heard anything. Regina never mentioned it.”

“She was very upset when she departed Lady Starkley’s soiree a few days ago.”

Ada frowned in concern. “What happened?”

“I don’t know. She played a piece and then left the room for some time. When she returned, she looked ill.”

“And you haven’t seen her since.”

“No.”

“Would you like me to check on her?”

“If you can be bothered.” There must have been an edge to his voice because she froze and stared at him.

Even his little nephew looked up at him with wide dark eyes before he began to whimper.

Damn. He turned away from the desk and stretched out his arms for him.

Wordlessly, A’wei passed him along for him to make amends.

Within seconds he settled, laying his head on Richard’s shoulder, his tiny hand clutching at his waistcoat.

“You are very concerned for her,” A’wei continued.

“Is that unusual or something?” As if his concern was somehow insidious or amusing. As if it was unwarranted.

“Not for you.”

Not for him. He hated that he couldn’t argue the fact.

He wanted to go to Elodia and verify for himself that she was well.

Perhaps that was part of his resentment.

He was bitter that he had to go through these indirect means, subjecting himself to endless obnoxious comments and inquiries.

And he was fucking fed up with the knowing looks from too many members of his acquaintance as if they had convinced themselves of a fact that he had yet to confirm for himself.

What the hell made them so certain they knew him better than he knew himself?

As if he were nothing but a stubborn child.

All he wanted was to hold her hand, look into her eyes and assure himself that she was not upset, assure her that she was loved. It was maddening to sit in this room so far away from her, especially knowing she believed he didn’t care about her.

“I’ll go tomorrow,” A’wei mused.

“That’s fine,” he replied, reminding himself not to be annoyed with his sister. After all, she had done nothing wrong. If he was Elodia’s fiancé, he would be able to call on her openly with no questions asked, but he’d closed that door and bolted it himself.

“Brother,” A’wei’s voice came.

“Yes,” he replied with a tense jaw, stroking the little boy’s back, allowing the repetitive motion to comfort them both.

“I wasn’t trying to be cruel. If Ellie is unwell then I am also concerned about her. My worry for her simply predates your current concern,”

Presumptuous little baggage. “Understood.”

“Is there anything you need to tell me about my friend? You and she were very close before this, as familiar as old friends. Now you barely speak or interact at all, even when we are among our inner circle.”

“Miss Hawthorne is seeking a husband. We cannot be so familiar if she is meant to be taken seriously as a prospective wife. I mean to marry myself, as you know, the same rule applies.”

“But Ellie.”

“What?”

“She cares for you, Richard.”

Why was it so painful to hear this time? The reminder was bringing tears to his eyes. “I am aware of that.” Too aware.

“I know you rejected her already and I understand your reasons.”

“Do you?” He didn’t even remember them at the moment. He wanted to fix it but knew better than to wade in and muddy the waters again.

“I believe so. I even understand your reasons for distance in mixed company or in public, but in private—”

“—May we discuss something else?” His chest was growing tight again.

“Perhaps you could be kinder to her—”

“—A’wei.” His voice snapped out, low and firm, and she fell silent. He didn’t typically call her by her name. She knew what it meant. He was pulling rank as her older brother. “Enough. Please.”

She blinked in surprise then nodded and returned her attention to her daughter and the book she was reading. Richard turned to his letters, although he could barely comprehend what he was reading. He just needed to bide enough time until he could make his exit.

*

Elodia spent one day in bed. One day before she decided to find some answers of her own.

She still didn’t know if she could rely solely on her father’s word.

The fact that someone so unconnected with her as Lady Lewis had such a pronounced opinion of her could only mean one thing: it was not only widespread, it was settled opinion.

The opinion was one matter. People believed whispers, especially when they confirmed their own prejudices.