Page 79 of Rescued from Betrayal
It was going to be a long, long week if last night was any indication. Nathaniel rubbed the back of his neck as he paced. He’d waited in his study until he was certain Melior would be asleep before making his way to bed, but she had been wide awake and they had talked late into the night about their plans for the next few days.
He’d hoped that the very ordinary conversation would help him relax, but instead he’d been more alert than ever by the time Melior drifted off to sleep. So he’d stared at her, memorizing how the dim glow of firelight that peeked through the bed curtains played across her sculpted cheekbones.
It was a picture that not even the light of day could wash away. She was so beautiful, and as he had noted before, it was not only her exterior. Her ready smile and willingness to play along with Javenia’s larks were a testament of the playful and happy girl he’d once known.
“You are going to wear a hole in the rug with all that pacing,” Eddie said from the doorway.
Nathaniel stopped. “I think I am falling in love with your sister,” he blurted out.
“About time you figured that out,” Eddie said, flopping into one of the large wingback chairs.
“What does that mean?”
“Look, even though you married her a month ago, we all saw the way your eyes followed her whenever she was in a room. And although John prides himself on keeping secrets, you and I both know he talks in his sleep.”
“He did not.”
“He did, back at Harrow and again when we were at Cambridge. We all knew, Nate; we simply did not want you to know we knew.”
Nathaniel sat down hard in the other wingback chair and ran a hand through his hair.
“Come now,” Eddie said. “It is not that bad. You married her, did you not? Now all that is left is to help her fall in love with you.”
“You say that like it’s a simple walk in the park.”
“It cannot be that hard, can it? A few flowers, some pretty compliments, and voila, she’s yours.”
“Have you ever tried to win a woman's regard?”
“Heavens no.”
“Yes, well, it shows. Best not to offer advice until you have a little more experience yourself.”
Herbertson, Nathaniel’s Town butler, entered carrying a silver salver. “Your post, sir.”
“Thank you. Has Mr. Roberts returned?”
“Yes, sir.”
Nathaniel waited for the stodgy little man to continue, but he said nothing. “Well, where is he, man?”
“In the front sitting room with the ladies.”
Al had left to attend visits with the promise that he would bring the latest gossip. Nathaniel had been anxiously waiting all morning, hoping the news would give them an idea of where to start with their sleuthing. Left only to ponder his feelings for Melior, he’d nearly gone mad, and yet Al had gone to the ladies first. Did the man have no compassion for his suffering?
Nathaniel let out his breath in a whoosh.Pull yourself together, Stanford,he thought.If there was one thing he’d gathered from Eddie’sunhelpfuladvice, it was that he was making more out of the situation than it warranted. Love would come in time. At least, he hoped it would.
Javenia and Melior were listening intently to Al when he and Eddie entered the front parlor. Their rapt attention meant whatever Al had discovered might be useful in finding their underhanded devil.
“But that cannot be,” Melior said. “Why would Lord Caraway have any interest in Edith? I thought you said he had been courting Lady Jane.”
“That is just it,” Al said. “He has been seen with both ladies, and Lady Agatha as well.”
Melior’s face scrunched up in confusion. “So is he intent on one of them, or is he simply playing the part of an obliging gentleman?”
“I am inclined to think the latter. He is quite young to be searching for a wife. Perhaps he is doing what other gentlemen of his age do, and simply enjoying his time in Society.”
Nathaniel settled himself next to Melior on the settee. “Which means he may have worried you were a threat to his freedom.”
