Page 35 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
He bowed over her hand, sticking with formality while he attempted to clear his head.
They sat, she on a sofa, he on a chair. He crossed a leg over his knee. “You look well.” He smiled.
Great relief filled her expression. “Thank you.”
“You both seem to be in good health? How is the neighborhood?”
“Everyone is just wonderful. You are spoken of often. Your tenants are in excellent stead. And as I’m certain your steward reports, the estate is thriving.”
“Yes, I feel fortunate indeed in the turn of events in my favor.”
“I always knew that lone boy we took in under our wings would come to make something remarkable of himself.”
“I don’t know how much influence I actually had over things. Inheritances come quite without talent.”
“Oh tosh. It is certainly your ingenuity that has the tenants learning new skills and new methods. They are the most vibrant and happiest in the valley.”
A great sense of satisfaction filled him. “I’m happy to hear it. For I take great responsibility thinking of them in my care.”
They talked for a moment more, and after two yawns from his aunt and the fatigue weighing down his thoughts, he cleared his throat. “I do appreciate you coming straight away to see me, but there is time left in the Season, surely. We must retire and spare my aunt.”
“Oh, forgive us.” Mrs. Westchester looked supremely uncomfortable as she shifted in her seat. “There is a rather urgent reason for coming and for waiting. We couldn’t spare another second before we imparted news of the gravest kind.”
He leaned forward, his mind listing all the possibilities.
“Perhaps I might speak with you alone?” Mrs. Westchester indicated the doorway.
“I do believe I shall retire at any rate.” Aunt stood.
They bid her farewell properly and then as they returned to their seats, Mrs. Westchester brought a handkerchief to her nose. Before he knew what else was happening, her shoulders were shaking with her sorrow.
Miss Penny stared at the floor.
Andrew was torn between keeping his seat and jumping to comfort the woman. “My dear Mrs. Westchester. What can be done?”
She waved him away. “I will regain my composure. I must.” She breathed deeply, with a hand to her chest, blinking back tears. And then nodded. “There. You see.”
Miss Penny still had not looked anywhere but at the floor since this new outburst of emotion.
“There is nothing for it but to say, Andrew, our dear Andrew, we have come to beg your assistance. You might be the only person we trust, as it is the family kind of situation certainly.”
“What is it? I shall attempt with all my power to assist in whatever way I may.”
Mother and daughter exchanged looks, and a certain uneasiness overtook him. But he waited, growing more uncomfortable as a silence continued.
At last, Mrs. Westchester shook her head. “There is nothing for it but to simply state the facts as they stand. “Our Miss Penny is with child.”
He gripped the side of his chair with a sudden panic.
“She has been taken advantage of in a most ruthless manner and then cast aside.”
Penny would not meet his gaze.
“You very well know that there is nothing for it but to marry in haste or to live out her days in shame.”
He shook his head. “Certainly, there are more options.”
But she had not stopped talking and he couldn’t tell if she heard him at all.
