Page 25 of The Spinster’s Stolen Heart (Willenshires #5)

Nathan was shown into one of the parlours, with a promise of tea to come. His nerves were jumping inside him, but there was excitement there, too.

Somehow, he knew that Lady Randall would not be able to talk Pippa out of her feelings for him. She was of age, and she was determined enough to know what she wanted.

It was odd to think that he was on the brink of a real courtship, for the first time in his life.

Mother will be thrilled, Nathan thought, smiling wryly.

The clock in the corner chimed, and he strode over to inspect it, taking note of the time.

Strange. I’ve been here for a full fifteen minutes already. Guests are never kept waiting this long. I wonder what’ is happening.

Something like worry coiled in his gut. Nathan seated himself in an armchair by the fire, only to immediately bounce up again and resume pacing the room.

Five more minutes passed by, then ten, and at last he was beginning to feel worried. Nathan was just about to leave the room and go in search for someone who could tell him what was going on – surely, he hadn’t been forgotten, or ignored – when footsteps approached.

He just had time to compose himself before the door opened.

It wasn’t Pippa, however, who stepped into the room, or Lady Randall. Instead, he found himself face to face with a rather flustered and dishevelled Timothy, in his shirtsleeves.

“Nathan, it’s you,” Timothy said, forcing a distracted smile. “We weren’t expecting you. Now is not a convenient time, I’m afraid.”

“I do have an appointment. I am here to see Pippa. That is, Miss Randall. She is expecting me.” He gave a wry smile which he hoped conveyed his purpose. “I am here to speak with her mother, too. It’s a rather important matter.”

Timothy was still distracted, glancing around as if he couldn’t wait to leave. He ran his fingers through his hair, making it stick up wildly.

“Oh,” he murmured. “Oh, dear.”

The worry came back, Nathan’s gut churning with unease.

“What are you talking about, Timothy? What is happening?”

He paused, closing his eyes. “I’m afraid there’s been an accident, Nathan.”

His voice seemed to be muffled, as though Nathan was underwater. He didn’t recall deciding to sit down, but suddenly he was sitting down, on the armchair by the fire he’d vacated earlier. Timothy remained standing, fidgeting with his fingers and seeming distracted once again.

“An accident?” Nathan repeated.

Timothy nodded. “I’ll be as brief as I can. Miss Randall – Pippa – fell down a flight of stairs only half an hour ago. She hit her head quite badly. We don’t believe that there are any broken bones, but she is disoriented and weak, and we don’t dare move her. The physician has only just arrived. We’re all in quite a state, as you can imagine.”

Nathan gripped the arms of the chair.

“She’s… she’s hurt?”

Timothy nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

“I must see her.”

“I… I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Nathan was suddenly on his feet again, once again having no idea of when he’d chosen to do so.

“I must see her,” he repeated.

Footsteps approached again, and the door opened to admit Katherine. She looked pale and drawn, holding her arm protectively over her belly.

“Oh, Lord Whitmore, it’s you,” she said, in a tone that he did not know how to interpret. He wasn’t sure that she was displeased to see him, but it was abundantly clear that he was not welcome at this particular time.

Nathan didn’t care. Pippa was hurt, seriously so.

“How badly is she hurt?” he asked, directing his question straight to Katherine.

She sighed. “It’s hard to tell. The physician is examining her now. Word has been sent to my siblings. Lady Randall is of course inconsolable.”

Nathan was sure that Katherine muttered something after this comment, something like as well she should , but surely, he hadn’t heard right.

“I want to see her,” he said, as firmly as he could muster.

Katherine lifted her eyebrows. “Who, Lady Randall?”

“No, of course not. I want to see Pippa.”

She didn’t even flinch at his casual use of her Christian name.

“You cannot see her, Lord Whitmore. Of course you can’t. She is unconscious and needs rest and quiet. I understand your worry, and I…”

“No, no, you don’t understand,” Nathan burst out, taking a step forward. “I love her! I cannot go on without her. I need…” He made to step around Katherine, but she moved to intercept him more quickly than he might have expected.

“I do understand,” Katherine said, her voice firm and unyielding. “I’m sure this is upsetting, but there’s nothing to be done about it. We must let the physician work, and time will tell how well she recovers.”

“I must…”

“No, Lord Whitmore,” she interrupted. “You must not. The only thing you must do now is go home and wait for news.”

“Can I not wait here?” he begged, throwing her a pleading look.

Katherine was unmoved. “No. You’ll insist on seeing her earlier than the physician would wish. I am sorry, Lord Whitmore. We’ll keep you informed of her condition, you can be assured of that, but for now, you must go home.”

She turned to her husband, laying a hand on his arm.

“A cup of hot, sweet tea for Lord Whitmore, to help with the shock,” she said, in a quiet voice, almost as if Nathan wasn’t listening. “Then he must leave at once. It’s for the best.”

“No need for the tea,” Nathan answered, his voice shaking. “I… I shall leave now. I am sorry to have intruded.”

He didn’t wait for a response, leaving the parlour and heading towards the front door. A nervous-looking footman handed him his hat and gloves, which Nathan pulled out without thinking.

She’s hurt. Seriously. Could she… might she… was Pippa going to die?

He closed his eyes.

No. She can’t. She must live. She must.