“But how could that be?” Aunt Fanny demanded.
“By whom?” Helena asked at the same time.
Mrs. Nixon shook her head. “There was a duel between his lordship and another man, a challenge issued over honor or some such. The young lady feared for her betrothed and she crept out of her father’s house to follow them. ’Tis said she flung herself at his lordship as the shots were fired, wanting only to ensure his safety, but was killed herself instead.”
“Goodness!” Helena whispered, thinking this tale might have come from a book.
It could also explain the viscount leaving the life of a rakehell behind, his heart broken by the loss of his beloved—when she had been trying to save him.
And she had been witless enough to remind him of it!
This, she realized, would also explain the viscount’s admonition about impulsive choices. If his betrothed had been prudent, that lady might yet be alive.
And he would be happily wed.
She began to understand why he might not be inclined to frivolity.
“A sad, sad day, to be sure,” Mrs. Nixon intoned, showing a grisly satisfaction in the tale. “Her father rent his hair, they said, for though he had four sons, she was his only daughter and his delight. The old viscount took it hard, for he was fond of the girl, too, but his lordship, well, he has not looked at a lady since.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “They say he labored in secret alongside the old viscount on business for the war, but I cannot say as that is true. Certainly, though they were in London, neither he nor his father have been seen much in society these past ten years, by all accounts.”
Business for the war? What manner of business? Helena wanted very much to know. For an impossibly dull man, Lord Addersley was suddenly proving to be worthy of fascination.
Perhaps he was just a man withsecrets.
“What a tale!” Aunt Fanny whispered. “So tragic.”
“’Tis indeed, mum, but I had best return to my labor.”
“Thank you, Nixon.” Aunt Fanny’s hand fluttered at her chest. “What an ordeal the poor man has survived, but Mrs. Nixon is right.” She patted Helena’s hand. “You would not be happy as any man’s second choice, my dear. It is best you did decline him.”
Helena, though, felt her heart softening toward the viscount. If he had lost his beloved, it made sense that he did not wish to love again.
Truly, it showed an admirable conviction to have abandoned society and foregone matrimony for an entire decade out of respect for the lady he had lost. Of course, he would not wish to dance without her. Of course, he would become a recluse of sorts, given such disappointment.
Was his heart lost forever? Had she escaped a match that would have been dutiful at best? Helena could not regret that, but she was no longer as convinced that marrying the viscount would have been an error.
She heard hoofbeats and knew Lord Addersley returned to collect the dog, but Aunt Fanny was no longer interested in the viscount and his doings.
“Mr. Nixon!” Aunt said, standing up with indignation. “I beg you not to cut those rhododendrons before they bloom!”
“But they obscure the view, mum.”
“And they can remain thus until they have flowered.” Aunt Fanny hastened away to see that her will was done, even as the viscount rode into view.
He seemed to be distracted by some concern, for he did not look immediately at Helena. He dismounted and strode toward her with such purpose that he might have been impatient. He tipped his hat and inclined his head, speaking crisply. “Miss Emerson.”
Mischief gave a little yip of glee and raced toward him, falling over her feet in her haste. His smile flashed as he crouched down to pat the dog and Helena wished he had smiled for her.
Then he looked up, gaze simmering, and did smile for her. The expression seemed forced, as if something troubled him, and she marveled that she could discern more of her thoughts than he must wish her to see. “You are uncommonly quiet,Miss Emerson. Has Mischief committed some deed to lose your favor?”
She had learnedsomething of him in his absence.
Joshua could fairly smell the change in Miss Emerson. Someone had told her something that made her look upon him with greater favor.
Though that was welcome, he wished he knew what it was.
And yet, he did not have time to linger and ease the tale from her.
The situation of Mrs. Lewis meant that Joshua intended to speak with Mr. Newson before that man left his offices in Addersley village. He was caught between his objectives, between his responsibilities as viscount and his desire for this particular lady’s favor.
