Page 34 of Rescued from Betrayal
“I am sure he will return when Parliament closes as he does every year.”
“Even with his father absent?”
“I suppose he might return earlier if his sisters are in need of him, but Lord Roberts should be back before the end of the session.”
Melior dabbed her lips. “Where is Mr. Roberts’s home located in reference to Havencrest?”
Sir Nathaniel gazed at her while he chewed slowly and she could see it as clear as day in his eyes. He was positively green eyed. A bout of nerves overcame her with his continued intense attention. In order for him to be weary of her praise, he must have something he liked about her. Perhaps he was not as impervious to her looks as she’d once supposed.
Lady Stanford filled the silence in the room. “His estate is five miles west of here near the village of Pertly. It borders the Harris property.”
“So close?” she asked. “It is no wonder Eddie spends so much time in this part of Kent.”
“Yes, and if we carry our point, perhaps he will buy an estate of his own right here in Maidstone,” Sir Nathaniel said.
With what money? If Uncle Percy produced heirs the townhouse would be all the family had to their name and Osborne would be the inheritor. Eddie would need to take up a profession. Perhaps he should have already. Their inheritances had never been a guarantee, she could see that now.
“That would be lovely,” Lady Stanford said. “Can you imagine how delightful it would be to have all your little ones growing up together?”
And now they were back to discussing babies. Melior understood Sir Nathaniel’s exasperated expression as he stared at his mother’s grinning face.
“Well, I believe I shall turn in early.” The older woman placed her serviette next to her plate and motioned for the footman to bring her bath chair. Her unspoken encouragement was as clear as a cloudless blue sky.
Melior’s hands began to tremble.
Sir Nathaniel rose and scooted his mother’s chair back. “Good idea, Mother, I believe I shall do the same. It has been a long day.”
The tremble in her hands spread up her arms and Melior decided it would be best to put down her utensils before she dropped them.
“Oh, do not leave on my account. At least stay and have some dessert.”
“If you insist. Here, Mother, let me help you.”
Melior watched in awe as he gingerly lifted his mother out of her seat and into the bath chair. At least he had the capability of tenderness, even if it did not extend to her.
After giving his mother a peck on the cheek, he said, “I hope you have a good night's rest.”
“You too.” Then turning toward her, she said, “Good night, Melior.”
“And to you, Lady… I mean Mama.”
Lady Stanford’s smile warmed a place in Melior’s heart that had not been touched in a long time. When had her own mother last shown even a modicum of maternal affection toward her? Probably before her third season, if she recalled correctly.
Mother had never been happy about her plans to delay marriage. But why jump at the first opportunity when she could have her pick of men if she simply waited long enough?
Her eyes strayed to a still standing Sir Nathaniel, his expression stony as he waited for her to retake her seat. She sat, wondering where she would be if she’d have taken her mother’s advice.
Married to old Lord Braithwaite, probably. Actually his widow. He’d pursued her before Lady Braithwaite had stepped out of mourning for her first husband. Mother had been livid when she’d refused to encourage him, but Melior simply could not bring herself around to the idea of marrying a man three times her age—even if he was as rich as a king.
The footman set a piece of cake in front of her and the strong smell of brandy wafted up from the fruity concoction.
She glanced at Sir Nathaniel in confusion.
“I know you did not get to celebrate with friends, but every bride should at least have a bride cake.”
He did not smile, but the expression upon his well-sculpted face was one of compassion. The small gesture of goodwill melted her heart. She’d thought she had cried every tear shecould possibly produce today but her eyes began to make more. It took all her efforts to keep them from falling.
“Thank you,” she said with a little sniff.
