Page 21 of An Offer for a Spinster
“Well, I miss you,” Rebecca said stoutly, then quailed under a stare from Christopher.
More silence. Silence was the norm in the Rutherford household, unless Lord Rustford had something to say.
“Since we’re all here,” Christopher said, glancing sideways at his wife, “Constance and I have something to say.”
“Well, make it quick,” Lord Rustford rumbled. “I don’t much like heavy conversation before dinner. My lady, call the butler and have dinner brought forward. I’m tired of waiting.”
Christopher drew in a breath and got to his feet. Beside him, Constance smoothed out her skirts and smiled expectantly around at them all. A flash of intuition started up in Timothy’s gut.
“Well, Constance and I have been married for well over two years now, and we have some news of a happy,happyevent,” he said, in a well-rehearsed way. Lady Rustford gave a genteel little gasp and clapped her hands over her mouth.
Christopher savored the moment -as was his custom- and lingered indulgently.
“We’re expecting a baby,” he finished, beaming around.
There was a half-second of silence, then everybody was on their feet, surging forward to the happy couple.
“Well, that’s excellent news, my boy,” Lord Rustford said, grinning. “It’s high time we had an heir in the family. You’re making your father very proud.”
Rebecca and Aunt Amelia smiled and fussed over Constance, who was smiling shyly and ducking her head with false modesty. Lady Rustford held back, smiling tightly and remaining in her seat.
Timothy tried to catch Christopher’s eye, intending to offer congratulations. Lord Rustford was clapping his older son’s shoulder, the very picture of restrained paternal affection. They both glanced Timothy’s way at the same time, and he was perfectly placed to see their expressions turn cold and contemptuous.
It was not a pleasant thing to see. He swallowed hard, shuffling forward and offering a hand.
“Congratulations, Christopher,” Timothy said, with forced joviality. “This must be very exciting for you.”
Christopher sniffed. “Well, one of us needs to do their duty for the family.”
There was a taut silence after that, broken neatly by the butler appearing at the door.
“Your lordship, your ladyship, dinner is served,” he intoned.
“Shall we go through?” Rebecca said, in a none-too-subtle attempt to change the atmosphere in the room.
“I for one am starving,” Constance announced, rising gracefully to her feet and placing her hand on her stomach. “After all, I’m eating for two now.”
This received indulgent smiles.
“You all go through,” Lord Rustford said suddenly. “I would like to speak to Timothy for a moment.”
There was no way, no way at all that this was going to be something good. Timothy swallowed hard, stepping aside to let the others trail past him. Lady Rustford sailed past, barely sparing a glance for her disappointing second son. Aunt Amelia laid a comforting hand on his shoulder, and Rebecca risked a smile up at him. Christopher and Constance did not look at him at all.
And then they were alone, the door was closed, and the silence fell even heavier over the room.
Timothy waited, heart pounding, his hands tucked behind his back. He didn’t dare sit again – Lord Rustford would take it as an insult, a sign of disrespect.
The vast carpet in front of the fireplace, easily larger than Timothy’s living room at home, stretched between them. Timothy twined his fingers together, pressing hard enough that his nails would undoubtedly leave crescent moon marks on his flesh, and waited.
After all, the great Arthur Rutherford, Lord Rustford himself, would not be rushed.
To prove a point, Lord Rustford inspected Timothy for an endless moment, then turned and made his way leisurely across to the whiskey decanter in the corner. He poured out one tumbler, and took a careful sip, savouring the flavours. Timothy clenched his jaw until his teeth squeaked.
“Excellent news about your brother,” Lord Rustford said at last.
“Yes,” Timothy managed. “I know that Constance and he have wanted a child for some time. I’m glad for them.”
Lord Rustford smiled tightly. “Yes, although they have been married for two and a half years, and this is the first sniff of baby so far. It may not even be a boy. I’m sure you can see how that may present a problem. There may be no more children.”
