Page 38 of Georgiana
“You wished to discuss Mrs. John Dashwood?”
“No.” He chuckled softly. “Caroline has not heard from her dear friend, the Duchess of Adborough in ages – her words, not mine – and I was tasked to find out if you are vexed with her for some reason.”
“I am not.” She hesitated, unsure of how to explain her circumstances without putting herself into a bad light. “I’ve been busy settling in, becoming familiar with Adborough Hall.”
“I’m sure Maxwell has been as proud as a peacock, showing you all the rooms and taking you on a tour of the grounds. That would explain why we haven’t heard from him either.”
“I… that is to say… his Grace is not here.”
Her bottom lip trembled and she fought to keep her tears at bay. She would not cry in front of him, she just wouldn’t. Max would never forgive her. She turned her face to the window, willing her emotions into a semblance of calm.
“May I ask where, exactly, my brother is? I’m assuming, given your unhappiness, he is not within the vicinity of Adborough Hall,” Nathan asked, his voice deceptively calm.
“No, he is not.” She took a deep breath and faced him. “He is in London.”
“And when did he leave for London?”
“The evening we arrived.”
“The same day−!” Nathan stood and marched to the drawing room door. “Chapman!” he called out. Within seconds the butler appeared.
“Yes, my Lord?”
“Do you have any clear idea why my brother has abandoned his wife?”
“I am not at liberty to speak about this matter, my Lord.”
“Not at liberty to speak about this matter with anyone, or just Lady Maxwell Kerr?”
“Lady Maxwell Kerr, my Lord.”
“Nathan, please.” Georgiana stood, twisting her fingers in agitation. “Do not blame Mr. Chapman. I’m sure he is only following His Grace’s instructions. He said as much in his letter to me.”
“His letter?” Nathan whipped around. “I would very much like to see this letter and while you are fetching it, I will have a talk with Mr. Chapman.”
“I don’t…” she began. Nathan leveled a ‘do not prevaricate with me’ look at her. “Very well.”
She eased by the two men, noticing how uncomfortable Mr. Chapman seemed to be and also how he avoided looking directly at her. She regretted mentioning Max’s letter and wished she’d consigned the hateful thing to the fire, but she hadn’t and now Nathan would know her shame.
Upon entering her suite of rooms, she opened her desk and found the letter nestled in the pages of her Bible. Other than putting her thoughts on paper, reading the Book of Psalms had become her other source of comfort. She took great solace in the assurance that if God would protect King David in his time of trouble, He’d look after her in her time of sorrow.
She returned to the drawing room in time to see Mr. Chapman and Mrs. Howell both exiting. At seeing her, they stopped and waited respectfully for her to pass by. Lord Nathan stood by the fireplace, staring into the flames, his back to her. At the sound of her skirts rustling, he turned around, anger etched into every crevice of his face. Without a word, he held out his hand and she placed the letter in it.
As he read the short missive, a vein began to pulse at his temple and his lips thinned to an angry, straight line. In all the years she’d known Lord Nathan, she’d never seen him furious and hoped to high heaven she never would again. Finally, with exaggerated care, he folded the letter and handed it back to her.
“I must take my leave.” He spoke as though he chose his words carefully. “Please know I am appalled by my brother’s behavior and hold you in the highest regard. Given my discussion with Mr. Chapman and Mrs. Howell my brother has a lot of explaining.”
“Will you not stay to dinner? I’d hate to see you leave so soon.”
“If I wish to make London by tomorrow night, I must leave now.” Lord Nathan gave her a brotherly hug. “I shall check on you again, Georgiana. You are not alone in this any more.”
Before she could mount a protest, or beg him to take her with him, he’d left the room and shortly after she heard his horse thunder down the graveled drive. His hug was the first real human contact she’d had since arriving at Adborough Hall.
~~~~~
“I’ll let myself in, Jenkins. Don’t bother with tea, I’m not staying long.”
Max rose to his feet, a ready smile in place for his brother, but when Nathan flung open the door and glared at him, he clamped his lips tight.
