“Oh, he slipped through education like a hot knife through butter,” said Nurse casually.“He sucked books dry.Master Kit would hide in them.”
Eleanor found this picture very telling.
“Their father never understood Master Kit,” said Nurse another day.“He was hard on him because of the way he followed Master Nicky’s lead.I sat with him at the end—the old earl—and he would talk to me.He was in pain, and it helped him to talk.‘If I’d known,’ he said one day, ‘I’d have swapped ’em.’”
“Poor Kit,” said Eleanor, thinking that both brothers might have fared better under such an exchange.Nicholas had no greed for the title, but Lord Stainbridge would have been happier without the responsibility, and his father would not have been so demanding.
“It was just after,” said Nurse, “that the old earl called them both in separately for his final words.I was there, for the doctor was called for and he was fading fast.He told Master Kit to hold onto Master Nicky’s money and to pull him up tight if he grew too wild.I couldn’t imagine it myself.Then he saw Master Nicky and told him that once his brother was the earl he should keep out of his way.Make him stand on his own feet.Which he’s done, I suppose.”
What a tortured tangle the twins’ relationship seemed to be, thought Eleanor.How much of it could be laid at their father’s door, with his attempts to build up Kit’s assertiveness?She found herself uttering a short prayer that she not bear twins, especially twin boys, one of which might be heir to Grattingley.
Ten days after Nicholas had left, a beautiful riding horse arrived for her—a gray mare built for speed but with a gentle disposition.There was also a stylish blue habit from Madame Augustine.Eleanor could not wait.She ran upstairs to change and then walked the horse around the grounds.She would have to get her skill back slowly.
There was no message with the horse.The groom only said, “From Mr.Delaney for Mrs.Delaney.”Eleanor named the mare Pearl.
Thirteen days later a coach came down the drive.Eleanor allowed herself a moment’s hope, though she knew Nicholas would keep to their arrangement and stay away the full three weeks.
In fact, it was Lord Stainbridge who alighted.
“Eleanor, you are looking very well,” he said after a searching glance.“I’m so pleased about the baby.Nicky didn’t seem to want me to come, but that is nonsense.My first niece.I couldn’t wait.”
“There’s no reason why you should,” Eleanor said, determined to put old bitterness behind her, though she couldn’t say she welcomed this visit.“Nicholas was probably only thinking that we would all visit Grattingley at Easter.”
“You will?”he said with delight.“He didn’t seem sure.Now, can I see her?”
Eleanor sent for the baby to be brought down.“Thank you for lending Nurse to us.She’s a treasure.Is Nicholas gone to London?”
“Yes, I believe so, though with Nicky one can never be sure.I believe the Regent asked for an opportunity to thank him for his services, even though there can be no public acknowledgement.Imagine the return of Napoleon.”
So, few people were being told of the double twist in the affair.Did the government know at all?Nevertheless, it had worked out for the good, for all that money had gone to Madame Bellaire’s benefit, not Napoleon’s.
Lord Stainbridge looked around.“I didn’t realize before that Nicholas actually owns this estate.I thought it might be Middlethorpe’s.It seems a good enough place,” he said grudgingly, “if small.I’m still surprised you didn’t come to Grattingley, where I could have taken care of you.”
He really has put it all completely out of his mind, Eleanor realized.I wonder if he remembers at all that Arabel might be his own.The child had been two weeks later than expected, but Mrs.Stongelly said that was often the case and that they could just as likely come early.Eleanor was deeply grateful Nicholas had pressured for that wedding night, for now she could consider Arabel his daughter.
“This is our home,” Eleanor said, deciding that if he had pushed away all memory of that terrible night, she was happy to have it forgotten.
Nurse’s entrance with the baby caused a welcome diversion.Lord Stainbridge seemed genuinely delighted by the child.
The three-day visit passed better than Eleanor had at first expected, for she was more temperate now, and the earl seemed less disposed to criticize her husband.He didn’t tell her what explanation Nicholas had given him for his absence and, to her surprise, he didn’t harp on it.
When he left there were five more days to go.So little time, and yet it stretched as an awful void of waiting.The sound of carriage wheels the next day had her at the door hoping for anything, even Lord Stainbridge’s return, to pass the time.
It was Lucien de Vaux.He kissed her hand.“Nicholas gave me permission to call,” he said.
“A mere hundred and fifty miles,” Eleanor said, but she was delighted to see him.
“Needed a bolt-hole, believe me.”
When she had him seated in front of warm nourishing food he explained.“I met up with Nicholas in Town just as I was about to murder a charming piece of fluff called Phoebe Swinnamer.”
“Why?”
“She seems to have decided she’s destined to be the future duchess of Belcraven, and my mother, at least, is aiding and abetting.It’s all your fault, actually.If you hadn’t jilted me at the ball I wouldn’t have virtually dragged her away from her partner and raised her hopes.”
Eleanor remembered that occasion.“I could hardly have refused my husband.”
“Would have done him good.Anyway, the girl and her mother have been haunting me ever since.My mother even invited them to Belcraven for Christmas.”
