Page 36 of Married to the Lord

Chapter Thirteen

“Goodness, he has grown handsome!”

Augusta looked up from her embroidery, having been entirely unaware that her mother was in the parlor room until her squeaky exclamation. Hands clasped to her face, her mother bounced up and down on her toes while peering out of the window.

“So handsome,” she repeated before turning to Augusta. “Perhaps these years apart were not so very bad. He was fine-looking before but to see him now…” She gestured rapidly with her hands. “Come and steal a look, quickly, before he reaches the house.”

Augusta swallowed the knot in her throat. It had to be Henry. There was no one else from whom she had spent years apart or who her mother would gush over. “It’s fine, Mama, I am sure I shall see him in just a moment unless he is here to see Papa.”

Part of her hoped that would be the case. Perhaps he was intending to break things off. It would be disastrous, of course, and her family would be heartbroken but at least then...well, at least then she would have the decision made for her even if it left her alone and eventually destitute.

She grimaced at her rather poorly stitched rendition of a violet. Normally embroidery brought her a sense of peace, but the past few weeks, she had been unable to concentrate thanks to Miles. She sighed. Destitution was hardly a fate she would meet with relish and she was being foolish. Miles would not save her. He clearly regretted kissing her.

“Stand up, Gus. You need to straighten your skirts.” Her mother grabbed her embroidery from her hand and flung it carelessly onto the sofa then snatched her hands and hauled her to her feet. Fingers pinched at her cheeks then spread over her waist and down then fluttered over her hair, pressing the pins more tightly into her head.

Augusta winced as pins jabbed her scalp and batted her mother’s invasive hands away. “Ouch, Mama!”

“Thank goodness you are wearing one of your new gowns. What a fine thing it was you decided to finally take me up on my offer.”

Augusta rather enjoyed her new gowns, she had to admit. Not because of the attention they brought her but they certainly flattered her non-descript figure better and brought out color in her cheeks. At least if she had to face Henry, she could do so with a little more pride than previously.

A knock at the door and Mrs. Goldsmith entering made Augusta’s mouth dry. “Lord Henry here for you, ma’am,” the housekeeper said.

“Please show him in,” her mother said, clasping her hands delicately in front of her and adopting a smile that made Augusta raise her brow.

She tried to do the same but it felt odd on her lips, as though it should not be there, and she could feel that it did not reach her eyes. A pang of nerves fluttered hard in her breast, begging to escape or to be gulped down with fresh air. Her feet twitched at the sound of heavy, masculine footsteps.

It was no lie. Henry had certainly grown more handsome. He beamed at them both as though he had missed them greatly. Augusta remembered that smile and how it had made her feel like the most important woman on earth. Dressed in hessians and a finely cut jacket and waistcoat, the dark blue emphasized the tan color of his skin. He seemed older and wiser but the years and exotic countries had certainly done him many favors.

“Henry, how wonderful it is to see you!” her mother declared. “And looking so well too. Have you been returned long?”

“But a day,” he said.

“Goodness and we were your first visit? How kind you are.” She motioned to the chair. “Will you not sit?”

“I was hoping I might take Augusta for a short walk. We will not go far but I have a hankering to see the fields around here again. I have missed all the English scenery so very much.” His gaze landed on Augusta. “Although, there is some quite pleasant scenery in here too.”

Augusta glanced to her feet. She was not unused to Henry’s flattery but he had always had the ability to flatter anyone, whether they were deserving of it or not. However, this time it seemed genuine.

“A fine idea, especially with the lovely weather we are having,” her mother enthused. “Do go now before it all changes its mind and decides to shower upon us.”

“Mama,” Augusta protested as she practically shoved Augusta out of the door.

Once they were outside the house and Augusta had retrieved a bonnet, Augusta drew in a long gulp of fresh air but it did not dispel the coiling tension that was slowly wrapping itself around her heart and lungs. Henry motioned along the road that led away from her family home. “Shall we?”

She nodded and tightened the ribbons around her face, grateful for the slight protection the brim gave her from Henry.

“You are looking well indeed, Augusta.”

She kept her gaze ahead. “As do you, Henry.”

“The time apart has done you well.”

“Thank you.”

He paused, forcing her to face him. Although his hair had lightened and his skin was darker, she saw the old Henry still there. The one who could charm anyone, and make her laugh with his easy wit, and talk until she no longer felt shy. She understood now, why she had been willing to wait so long for him. He had always been a catch and still was.

“I understand if you are angry with me, Augusta.”

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