But his amiability did not extend to his wife. Everyone else benefitted. Even Miriam received civil answers. But Reggie he ignored. It hurt. She wasn’t still angry over their argument, for she rarely stayed angry long. She was hurt because she could not forget that dream. It had seemed so real. She could not forget how it felt in his arms, how it was when he made love to her. Fool that she was, she had accepted him in her heart. Why was she such a pushover, to forgive so easily?
Miriam’s statement about guests made Nicholas frown. “The whole weekend? I take it this is not your usual dinner party?”
“No, actually,” Miriam replied. “I hope you don’t mind. I’m afraid the invitations went out right before you returned. I wasn’t expecting you to come home.”
“Nor were you expecting me to stay, I’m sure of that,” Nicholas said dryly.
Eleanor intervened before an argument began. “I think it’s a fine idea. A bit close to the London season, but that won’t start for another week or so. How many guests were you counting on, Miriam?”
“Only about twenty. Not all of them will be staying, however.”
“This isn’t your usual style, madame,” Nicholas commented. “May I ask what the occasion is?”
Miriam turned her head directly toward Nicholas so Walter couldn’t see her eyes. “Must there be an occasion?” Her eyes shot daggers at him.
“No. If you have started to enjoy large gatherings, however, I suggest you visit London this year and enjoy them to your heart’s content. You may even make use of my townhouse, now that my wife has so thoughtfully refurbished it.”
“I would not dream of leaving Silverley unattended,” Miriam said stiffly.
“I assure you, madame, I will force myself to stay here and look after the estate. I am capable of doing so, though you like to think otherwise.”
Miriam did not take the bait. He was beginning to see that she wouldn’t fight as long as Sir Walter was present. What a choice situation. What fun! But Aunt Ellie was frowning at him, and poor Tyrwhitt looked embarrassed. Regina, sweet Regina, looked down at her plate, avoiding his gaze. He sighed.
“Forgive me, mother. I did not mean to imply that I wished to be rid of you, or that you lack confidence in your only son.” He grinned as she stiffened. Perhaps therewerea few small pleasures left to him. “By all means have your party. I’m sure Aunt Ellie and my wife will enjoy helping with the arrangements.”
“I have everything in hand already,” Miriam said quickly.
“Then that completes the discussion, does it not?”
Nicholas resumed eating, and Reggie shook her head. She had considered her little battles with the Countess beneath her, yet she had always been provoked. Miriam had done nothing to provoke Nicholas tonight. Why did he dedicate himself to being disagreeable?
As soon as the ladies left the men to their brandies, Reggie retired to her rooms. But Thomas was sleeping, and Meg was in the servants’ wing with Harris, and it was too early to go to sleep. Still, she refused to go downstairs. Being ignored by her husband in front of others was embarrassing.
Nicholas noticed Regina’s absence the moment he entered the drawing room, and approached Eleanor.
“Where is she?” he asked abruptly.
“She mentioned retiring.”
“This early? Is she sick?”
“My dear Nicky, where was this interest in your wife when she was with you?”
“Don’t chastise, Aunt Ellie. I believe I have been run through the mill quite enough.”
“And still you go on in your own stubborn way,” Eleanor sighed. “Which is only making you miserable—admit it.”
“Nonsense,” he said irritably. “And you don’t know all of the story, Aunt Ellie.”
She sighed, seeing the rigid set of his chin. “Perhaps. But the way you have ignored that poor girl is still deplorable. Why, I don’t believe I’ve heard you say two words to her since we arrived here.”
“More than two, I assure you.”
“Oh, you can be so exasperating, Nicholas!” Eleanor kept her voice down. “You just won’t admit that you were wrong, that you have a wonderful wife and no good reason not to cherish her.”
“I do admit that. It is my wife who now regrets her choice of husband. I once told her she would. Bitter thing,” he added, “to find yourself proved right about the one thing you wanted to be wrong about.”
She watched him walk away, her eyes sad. How she wished she could help. This was something he was going to have to solve on his own.
