Page 61 of A Marriage of Convenience with a Rake
“No matter,” Judge Westgate said tiredly. He turned in the doorway. “Just don’t come and plead for anyone else—you argue like a bull charging a barn door.”
Sebastian smiled. “Thank you, my lord. Thank you for helping us. I am most grateful.”
“No need,” the judge repeated. “It’s almost midday,” he added, looking at Camberly.
“Luncheon?” Camberly asked.
“Mm.” The judge nodded. “I’ll be at the Bull and Sparrow.”
“Good,” Camberly agreed. He looked at Sebastian for a long moment and Sebastian swallowed hard. He felt uncomfortable under that studying gaze.
“Thank you,” he said politely, unsure of how to addressCamberly, who might have been a nobleman like Papa and Judge Westgate, or who might not be.
“You remind me of Randall,” Camberly said slowly, as he shut and locked a cupboard and reached for his coat by the door. Sebastian stood back and they went into the corridor together.
“Thank you,” Sebastian repeated. He walked with the fellow towards the front door, keeping pace with his swift walk.
“You’ve grown up,” Camberly said, studying Sebastian carefully. “I remember you when you were a boy. You’ve grown up a great deal.”
Sebastian swallowed hard. He had grown up—since he was a youth, he had obviously grown up, but in the last month he felt as though he had grown up a great deal, and he knew why. It was Eleanor’s influence. In knowing her, he had seen what it could be like to be sensible and mature—it wasn’t boring at all. It was terrific.
“Thank you,” he answered again. “I believe you are right.”
Camberly smiled, the briefest lift of the corner of his lips. “Give my regards to Randall,” he said, then frowned. “Will you be in town tomorrow? Alford and I will have the day off.”
“No, regrettably not,” Sebastian said, with a small smile. “I have an important appointment in the countryside.”
“And what is that?” Camberly asked, walking briskly alongside him. They had reached the front door and were walking down into the street.
“Teaching a young lady to ride a horse,” he said with a smile.
Camberly looked surprised but didn’t comment. “Stay well, young fellow,” he said.
“I shall. You too,” Sebastian answered. “And thank you.”
“No need.”
Camberly inclined his head politely and walked off down the street. Sebastian stood where he was. He was so tired that he barely knew where he was. He blinked, his gaze swimming withweariness, trying to orientate himself within the larger city. He was outside the judge’s offices at the courthouse.
He gazed about, realizing that it was not too far away from his family’s London residence, and, as he stood there, his eyes widened. Aunt Tessa was on the pavement, hurrying towards him.
Chapter 23
“Aunt!”
Aunt Tessa stopped where she stood, her wide-eyed stare hard on Sebastian, despite his friendly greeting. Then she hurried over to him. She was wearing a black dress in some thick, expensive-looking fabric, her long hair covered entirely by a black velvet-covered bonnet.
“You haven’t been to see me in weeks,” Aunt Tessa accused him, her thin face set in a disapproving expression. “Why is that?”
Sebastian let out a long breath. “Sorry, Aunt,” he said slowly. “With Papa’s illness, and then the ball, and estate matters to organise, I have barely had a moment. I’m sorry,” he said again, seeing her eyes fasten on him accusingly.
“I sent you a note weeks ago,” she said firmly. “And you never sent a reply.”
“Oh.” Sebastian tensed. He recalled, suddenly, the note that the butler had brought to him the morning that Papa fell ill. He had put it in his pocket and never read through it. “I do remember. Sorry, Aunt. It arrived just before Papa’s health was so badly affected, and I forgot. I truly regret doing so,” he said truthfully. Aunt Tessa might be eccentric, but she was a dear and he would never deliberately ignore her or fail to visit her. She had always been important to him and to Papa.
“Yes,” Aunt Tessa said firmly. “Now, you must come with me to Waddingham House. And quickly, please—we have not much time.”
“Aunt...” Sebastian paused, a dozen statements buzzing about in his brain like querulous wasps. He was only in London for a few hours, and he had intended not to stay longer. Hewanted to tell Eleanor his news and organize the payment of the fine as quickly as possible. He needed to return to her, and to Papa, who was still not fully recovered. And besides, he had ridden to London in six hours, through the night. How was Aunt Tessa even in London? And how had she found him?
