Page 48 of An Offer for a Spinster
He weaved his way through the crowd, looking for William. William disliked parties and gathering, and had never had much interest in dressing up, so doubtless he was not having a goodtime. Timothy had been looking for the best part of half an hour when he saw a familiar black domino lounging on a set of chairs against the wall, glowering at something in the crowd.
“Henry?” Timothy said hesitantly, approaching him. “I didn’t know you were here tonight.”
“I was obliged to come,” Henry Willoughby responded, tearing off his black domino mask. “Just as well, really. Mother is never much use in these situations, William has disappeared, Katherine is cornered by that wretch of an earl, and somebody has to watchhim.”
He nodded into the crowd, and Timothy followed his gaze.
Alexander was propping up the wall by the refreshment table, surrounded by a knot of not-exactly-respectable ladies and gentlemen, all in their cups. It was clear that Alexander was tipsy. His eyes were bright and blurred, and he leaned rather too heavily against the wall. His white domino mask sat askew on his face, and his matching white cloak was stained by what looked like red wine.
That stain won’t come out,Timothy thought tiredly. Henry absently patted the seat beside him, and Timothy sat.
They sat in silence for a moment or two. Timothy knew the younger Willoughbys, of course. Alexander was a pleasant young man, if indolent, but Henry was known to be a harder sort of person.
“He’s drinking entirely too much,” Henry remarked, half to himself. “Ever since the business of the will came out. I know that you know, by the way. William tells you just about everything.”
Timothy bit his lip. “You can count on my discretion, you know.”
“I know. Have you seen my sister, by the way? With Lord Barwood, I assume.”
Timothy swallowed hard. “Yes. They were going to dance together when I left her.”
Henry shot him a thoughtful, sideways look, which Timothy did not return.
“She’s making a mistake, you know. With the earl.”
Timothy stared down at his mask, which now seemed like a second face looking up at him, blank and judgmental.
“Lady Katherine has excellent judgment,” he heard himself say. “She will make the best decision for herself, I’m quite sure.”
“I’m not sure. She’ll make the best decision for the family, which is for her to marry, regardless of who. She’s determined, you know. But she doesn’t love the earl. He’s a wretch. None of us like him, except for Mother. And that’s not worth considering, you know. She married Father, after all, and thinks that’s what marriages are like. That can’t be true, I simply can’t believe it.”
Timothy began to feel uncomfortable. “Henry, you really shouldn’t speak of your parents in that way.”
“Why not?” Henry shot back. “My father never did a thing for me. It was as if the three of us didn’t exist, only William, and even then, he made Will’s life a misery. He made Mother’s life miserable too, only she was too foolish to understand what he really was. Or perhaps she did know, and simply became what she had to in order to survive. I shouldn’t judge her.”
“The late Duke was a hard man, sure enough,” Timothy said carefully. “But I have to believe that he cared for his family.”
Henry looked him dead in the eyes. “Do you really believe that?”
The answer came at once.No.
“Do you intend to travel again, Henry?” Timothy asked, when the pause became unbearable. He considering getting up and leaving, but who else would he talk to? He might risk seeing Katherine and Lord Barwood, and that suddenly seemed a terrible fate.
Besides, Henry was alone, too. He didn’t seem any happier than his siblings.
“I don’t think I can,” Henry said shortly. “I want to stay and see the others settled. I owe them that, at least. If I want my share of the inheritance, I’ll need to marry, and then what? Do I leave my wife at home for years on end? What woman would want to travel with me? And if I choose not to marry, I’ll be penniless.”
“Your siblings would take care of you.”
He huffed. “Has it occurred to you, Timothy, that I don’t want to live on charity?”
This was quite stinging.
“Of course,” Timothy responded sharply. “I know exactly what it’s like to make your own way in the world.”
Henry had the grace to blush. “I beg your pardon, I forgot about your situation. For what it’s worth, I did admire what you did. Leaving home, striking out on your own like that. It’s admirable. Few men could manage it. I’m not even sure I could.” He sighed, rubbing his eyes. “I never imagined myself marrying. And if I did marry, I thought I would do so in my own time. I would wait until the right person presented themselves. And now, I’m forced into it. Even if I choose to let the deadline elapse, might I not regret it later? Might I not find myself wanting to marry but unable to afford it? I can’t expect William to bankroll my travels – even if he is able to marry and get his own slice of the inheritance.”
“I… I’m sorry, Henry. None of you deserve this.”
