She stared at her brother. “He can’t believe he will die if he falls asleep.”
“He must have nightmares, just as I do, though I expect Emerson’s are rather worse than mine.”
“Why?”
“I do not recall much of that night, save the pain. I believe he remembers every second of it. You will not be aware of this, Eliza, but the sleep that comes after brandy is no true sleep. It is dreamless oblivion and because I suspect that this is what Emerson desires above all else, I have indulged him.” His tone softened. “Do not judge harshly what you cannot understand.”
“It was awful?” Hers was not truly a question.
“Well beyond every expectation, even in my partial memories.”
“But that was five years ago. Will he not forget?”
Damien shrugged. “I fear that he may also have suffered disappointment in love.”
Eliza looked up with curiosity. “You do not know?”
“It is not a matter we have discussed. The fact remains, however, that it took him almost two years to return from the Continent after the ending of hostilities. I can only imagine that a man with Emerson’s appetites had found companionship in that time. I suspected that a specific lady detained his return and that he would bring home a wife.” Her brother fixed her with a look. “He told me that ladies in these times were sensible. Doubtless his lack of fortune was a deterrent to her acceptance of his suit.”
Nicholas had come home because the lady he loved had spurned him.
What a fool that nameless woman was!
What a fool Eliza was to hurl herself at a man who loved another.
It was late afternoon when Higgins cleared his throat at the door to the chamber of Eliza’s mother. Eliza looked up in hope of relief from the endless review of the gardens.
“A gentleman to see you, Mrs. North.”
Certain that Nicholas finally called, Eliza hurried to the front parlor, careless of the hour. There she found Mr. Galveston looking out the front window. After they greeted each other, he bowed. “Your brother’s friend was most fortunate at the gaming tables last night. All the town is talking of it.”
“I thought they might be talking of the duel at dawn.”
Her visitor laughed lightly. “A fortune gained is more compelling than a duel with no deaths, Mrs. North. These are the sad times in which we live.”
“I see.” She perched on a chair, wondering whether she should call for tea. She did not wish to encourage her guest to linger, though.
“I thought only to confirm with you, Mrs. North, that you have not changed your mind about my proposal.” He eyed her hopefully. “I understand that some ladies do prefer to decline before accepting, so I have come to request the honor of your hand again.”
“No, sir, I have not changed my thinking, though it is most kind of you to offer again.”
“I feared as much, to be sure, once I saw you dancing with Captain Emerson. Perhaps his winnings have changed the situation between you, though I cannot be glad of anyone wedding a gambler.”
“I am aware of no change, Mr. Galveston.”
“Ah.” He glanced out the window again, seemingly choosing his words, then inclined his head to her. “I will return to Cumbria then, departing this very day.”
“You need not leave London, sir, because we have not made an arrangement.”
He smiled. “But my sole purpose in coming to town was to court your hand, Mrs. North. The city holds little inducement for me to stay now that I have been declined. I hope that your own stay will be most pleasurable and wish you every success, should you choose to wed again.” He bowed then and Eliza curtseyed.
She watched from the window with relief as he returned to his carriage, not sparing so much as a glance at the house, then exhaled when the carriage vanished from view. She was glad to have no obligations on this evening, for a quiet dinner with her mother would suit her well after the night before.
“A parcel, my lady,” Higgins declared, offering said package to her.
It was from Carruthers & Carruthers, which meant that Eliza could scarcely wait to peruse its contents. She thanked the butler and retired to her room, hoping to learn much more from Mrs. Oliver. At this point, she had to abandon her hopes of Nicholas, but still, she wanted to know all that Mrs. Oliver had to teach.
Eliza was curious and there was no harm in that.
