Page 83 of The Wise Daughter
Aaron unfolded the letter tucked within, carrying the broken seal he recognized as his own, and read.
Dear Mr. Cornell,
As His Grace, the Duke of Ravenglass, and I are to be wed in the coming weeks, he has entrusted all wedding preparations to my care. As there are, in addition to wedding expenses, family matters to settle and coffers to replenish, such preparations will be extensive and costly. I ask you to transfer the amount of fifteen thousand pounds to an account to be opened immediately in my name, the funds of which I have been given permission to use however I see fit. Please note my use of His Graces’s seal, which I hope will be sufficient to convey his approval. His Grace is occupied with other matters at this time.
Respectfully,
Miss Honora Lacy
Aaron swallowed as he stared at the wax seal, aware that Bilford’s eyes were intently focused on him.
“Did you hear me, Ravenglass? I won’t be ignored. My complaints won’t go away.”
“I… I apologize, Bilford.” Dazed, Aaron quickly tucked the note away.
“Well, something must be wrong, indeed. You’ve never apologized so readily to me before.”
Aaron’s head throbbed anew while his heart beat erratically. He wanted to blame it all on the opium, but the letter had just as strange an effect. Nora couldn’t have written it. She was waiting for him in the garden. He was going to declare how much he loved her, but that letter…
Bilford placed his feet on the desk.
Aaron shoved them off. He didn’t have time for this. “Something urgent has come to my attention, Bilford. I’ll have to postpone thismeeting. I promise we’ll settle this another time. Forgive me, but I must ask you to leave immediately.” He rose from his chair and held the door open for Bilford’s departure.
“You can’t be serious, Derricott.”
“I assure you, I am.” His arm was burning as he held the door, the blood rushing to his head.
Bilford puffed out his chest as he stood. “What a way to treat a guest! Every time you dismiss me without paying what you owe, the debt grows.”
Aaron heard Bilford’s threats like words being spoken underwater. Bilford must have seen that Aaron was in no state to argue. He eventually shuffled out, footsteps stomping down the corridor.
Aaron closed the door and let his emotions surface. Hurt. Anger. Betrayal. The wax seal had been made with his signet ring. He couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t believe she would attempt such a lie.
No.
Not Nora. She wouldn’t.
But the proof was in his pocket.
Nora waited in the small garden alcove, shivering beneath her thin shawl, but she didn’t mind.
“Aaron’s arms will be all the warmth I need,” she whispered to the vines, fingering one of the loose tendrils.
Aaron’s earnest addresses to her after their dance filled her with the deepest hope. He had all but declared his love this time. No more carefully worded declarations of possibilities or of love that wasgrowing. This was it. This was love. She was sure he was about to say the words she longed to hear.
But a woman sitting alone in cold night air can only dream of whispered endearments and savored kisses for so long before the chill takes its toll. The stars’ light grew hazier by the minute as trails of clouds passed over, dampening their glow. When footsteps sounded on the stone, she rose, breathless. Aaron’s handsome form drew closer.
“Aaron! I was beginning to worry.” Her unrestrained grin sank as she took in his somber expression and the way he couldn’t meet her eye for more than a second. “Aaron, what is the matter?”
“Nora.” His voice was thick.
Her stomach grew queasy. Something was very wrong.
“Nora,” he tried again, his voice only slightly more in control. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. There are things I must say.” His features pinched. “I… I have discovered something that pains me greatly. I fear I am not in a state to speak much on the subject.”
“Aaron.” She reached to put a hand on his arm but stopped short when he turned away, making her stomach lurch.
He shook his head. “I wanted so much to love you, Nora.”
