Page 36 of The Ones Left Behind
“He said it to his lordship, but Lady Gordon accused me directly. I do not wish to cause trouble for anyone, and I would like to attend services. However, I fear my presence may result in unpleasantness. I did not expect my position at the Close to cause such a rift. I am a widow, after all, and I am living there honourably.”
Mrs. Henderson looked confused.
“Did Sir Nigel not come to speak with the Rector?”
“I am not privy to all of my husband’s conversations, but he did not speak ill of you in church. Quite the contrary, in fact.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Allow me to request the Rector to join us, in case I am misinformed. Sir Nigel did call here a few days ago, but he was not ill-tempered at all.”
Kitty frowned. Mrs. Henderson rang the small bell on the table beside her chair, then directed the maid to find the rector. They sipped their tea in silence while Kitty tried to unravel this mystery. Sir Nigel had definitely left the Close in an angry and threatening humour.
Footsteps were heard approaching across the parquet floor, and Kitty’s pulse began to throb with nervousness. The cup began to tremble in her hand, so she placed it back on the table.
The Rector entered the room and smiled at her. “Mrs. Gordon, what a pleasant surprise.” Kitty stood up and grasped his hands, which were held out to her in a most informal manner. His hair was now grey and he stooped, but it was good to see the gentleman she had spent so much time with as a child, whilst taking her lessons alongside the boys.
The greeting certainly did not indicate condemnation.
“Would you care for a cup of tea, sir?” Kitty asked, already knowing the answer and knowing precisely how much milk and sugar he liked as well. He gave her a nod and then sat down on an arm chair.
“Silas, could you please explain to Miss Kitty what Sir Nigel said to you when he paid his recent visit?”
Kitty handed him his cup and her hand began to shake again.
“Why, he came to tell me that you and Lord Thackeray are to be married.”
Kitty choked on the tea she was sipping.
“Are you quite well, my dear?” Mrs. Henderson asked.
“Yes, yes. The tea had gone the wrong way.” She coughed a few more times. How dare Sir Nigel do such a thing? Was he trying to force her hand? Matthias could call him out for such a thing. Of course, Matthias had offered, but Kitty did not believe his proposal had been sincere. She was not interested in another marriage of convenience. “And Sir Nigel has made the entire village privy to this news, I presume?”
“Oh, yes,” Mrs. Henderson said. “He told everyone after the services on Sunday. He said he could not be more pleased for Peter’s widow.”
No doubt, she thought, most uncharitably. Was it not just like Nigel to try to manipulate Kitty into making this a beneficial arrangement for him? He would prey on that connexion as much as he were able.
“Are you disappointed, my dear? Was it to be kept secret?” Mrs. Henderson asked. No wonder she had been confused by Kitty’s earlier statements.
“I do not believe it is something Sir Nigel should be informing people on my behalf.” That was an understatement. What was Kitty to do? She needed to speak with Matthias, and soon. This was not just her muddle to clean up.
“Perhaps not, indeed, but do let me be the first to say how pleased we are for you. We had always hoped for this match,” Mrs. Henderson said, oblivious to Kitty’s turmoil.
So had I, her inner voice wailed. Yet what could she say to these kind people? Kitty stood to leave. “Thank you. I must be going, now. It was lovely to see you again.”
“Please let me know when would be a good time to call,” Mr. Henderson requested, shaking her hand. “If I may be so bold as to put myself forward as your spiritual guide, the sooner I do so the better. People will talk, you know.”
Oh, yes, indeed.There was never any doubt of it—and whatever would they say when they discovered there was no betrothal?
CHAPTER11
Have a care, now,” Hornsby said as Matthias slipped a little. Over the past several days he had improved his stability with the crutches and, as a result, his mobility.
“Yes, yes,” Matthias retorted. “You are worse than my riding master.”
“Well, you are one of the finest horsemen I’ve ever seen, so there must be something to it.”
“You always did have to turn things to your good.”
