“Indeed!” Her cousin left again, while she sank into the sofa, remembering their kiss.
Jasper had held her tenderly and sweetly, and her body had responded in a way that she never imagined. He might be the first man to kiss her, but she was not without knowledge of what happened between a man and a woman. She had read books and heard women talk. Some talked freely in front of her now that she was a spinster.
“Natalie!” Hannah called, and she sat up. Her cousin ran into the room, her face pink. “Lady Phoebe’s invitation just arrived!” She threw a note on Natalie’s lap.
Endeavoring to be calm, she read the invitation, almost dropping it when she saw that Lady Phoebe was requesting their presence this afternoon. That was sooner than she anticipated. Too soon.
Her nerves fluttered at the prospect of seeing Jasper. She knew she would see him again, but not so soon. “It is almost time,” Natalie declared. “We should prepare.”
They dressed, and within an hour, they were in a carriage and riding to Amsthorne Manor. Hannah talked throughout to contain her excitement, while Natalie tried to breathe.
When they arrived, Lady Phoebe received them cheerfully in the drawing room. “I wanted to introduce you to my nephew, the Duke of Amsthorne,” she said as they sat, “but he is a very busy man. Sadly, I shan't be making any introductions today.”
“Another time, My Lady,” Hannah said, and Natalie wondered if she would be pleased to be introduced to Jasper if she knew he was the reason they were in dire financial difficulty. Her cousin had been thirteen years old when it happened, and neither Natalie nor George felt the need to tell her everything as she grew older. Natalie might have to tell her at some point, however.
“I am sure he will join us next time,” Lady Phoebe said, sounding certain her nephew would be there.
Natalie found herself equal parts relieved and disappointed. The relief she understood clearly but the disappointment perplexed her. She had been anxious to see him, but it didn’t explain why she would feel, thusly.
Tea was very pleasant, and Natalie found Lady Phoebe to be more agreeable than she thought. They shared several opinions, and she was surprised when Lady Phoebe said, “I cannot understand why a lady cannot have a trade.”
Hannah’s eyes gleamed. “It strikes me with anguish that she cannot write and have her name known and associated with her craft.”
“Yes, my dear. Perhaps it will change someday, but before then, we may do as we please in secret.”
Natalie laughed at that, thinking of the dresses and bonnets she made in secret. She could not tell Lady Phoebe about them even though they were speaking freely. She was not confident enough to do so.
“Will you be attending Lady Barton’s ball next week?”
“Yes, My Lady,” Natalie replied.
“It is going to be a grand event,” Lady Phoebe shrugged as though she was not pleased with the scale of the ball, “and many will leave their country homes to attend, but I am looking forward to seeing you there.”
Natalie smiled. “So are we, My Lady.”
Three hours later, they returned home. Natalie and Hannah were chatting animatedly as they entered the house, but the sight of the physician in the front hall with the butler stopped them.
Natalie knew why he was there, and her heart sank. “Dr. Rivers, is something wrong?” she asked after the physician had greeted them. They had known the middle-aged man for years, and he had tended to her father in his final days.
“I came to examine Lord Clifford, My Lady.”
She glanced at the butler and saw how he was avoiding her gaze. “What happened to him?”
“His Lordship needs ample rest to recover,” Dr. Rivers said, and she knew he was not telling her everything to spare her sensibilities.
“You do not have to be modest with me, Doctor.”
“Well,” Dr. Rivers looked at the butler, “I was told he fainted. He was awake when I arrived, but my examination found him weak and in want of rest and nutrition.”
Natalie swallowed. “I will ensure he rests and eats well. Thank you, Doctor.”
“I shall return tomorrow.” He bowed. “I bid you a good day, My Lady.”
Hannah was already climbing the stairs to find George, and Natalie followed her. She stopped in the doorway of his bedchamber and watched as Hannah went to hug him. Natalie clenched her jaw and schooled her features before walking in.
He looked pale and thin, and when their eyes met, tears stung her throat. She hated seeing him like this, and she could not help feeling it was all her fault. If she had acted differently, he would have inherited the title with a good fortune. He could be living like a lord, attending society events, spending his evenings at gentlemen’s clubs… Natalie mentally shook herself.
“I told Dr. Rivers not to say anything to you,” George said when Hannah asked him how he was.
