He frowned. “My mother chose those curtains. There’s so little of her here, I suppose I’ve been reluctant to replace them.”
Laura flushed, feeling awkward. But that must have been years ago. Odd that although there were portraits of family members stretching back through the years, she’d found none of his mother. “Is there a likeness of your mother here? I must say I’m curious to know what she was like.”
Nathaniel sighed. “They are all at another one of my properties. I’ve been meaning to have them brought here.”
How very strange. Consumed with curiosity, she longed to ask him, but he turned the page of his newspaper, apparently inviting no further questions. Had Amanda faced the same problem? “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“How could you?” Nathaniel reached across and squeezed her hand before returning to hispaper.
Was that to be the end of the matter? Nathaniel’s expression gave little clue to his mood. Laura continued regardless. “I know you will wish to vet my ultimate choice, but I’ve interviewed a local woman for the position of housekeeper. Another in London has expressed interest. She comes with a referral from one of my mother’s friends.” Her mother’s reply to her letter had arrived almost by the next post. To Laura’s relief, she hadn’t asked any awkwardquestions.
Nathaniel’s face remained hidden by the broadsheet. “Nathaniel? Did you hear what I said?”
He lowered the paper. “I did. You have been busy.”
She eyed him apprehensively. “You don’t approve?”
“Of course I do, sweetheart. Wolfram needs a housekeeper. But a woman from London may not be suitable. She would be unfamiliar with our ways, and she could have difficulty with the language.”
She firmed her lips. “I must tell you about the fête.”
He smiled. “Ah yes, the fête. Did it go well?”
Laura failed to mention the accusation of murder she’d overheard. She suspected he’d bat it away like everything else this evening. “I visited Mrs. Moffat’s mother who’s been sickly. She was very glad to have company and loved the warm shawl I brought her. I have great plans to visit the school, and I’ve asked the vicar’s help so I might visit the poor.”
“I have only been gone a week, and so much has been achieved!” He raised his dark brows. “I am proud of you, sweetheart. But no wonder you look tired. You can’t do it all at once, you know.” He smiled. “I see I was right. I knew you would soon become a graceful asset who the people of Wolfram would come to value.” He drank the last of his brandy, stubbed out his cigar and rose. “Shall we retire?”
It was a perfunctory response to say the least. Exasperated and disappointed, Laura followed him from the room. Being told she was an asset was not the reaction she wanted from him. He was pleased with her plans, but she detected a certain reserve on his part. It appeared everything was to remain forever undisturbed, like still water hiding the turbulent current beneath. She was not so easily dismissed. With each step on the staircase, Laura’s frustration built. By the time she’d reached her chamber, she felt ready to explode. But with a soft caress of her cheek, Nathaniel entered his bedroom and left her tosimmer.
***
Nathaniel entered his bedchamber to undress. He pulled off his cravat, tossed it onto the chair and began to undo his waistcoat buttons. Any mention of his mother and his life before Laura came here made his throat tighten. It had to be addressed. Keeping it from her was wrong, but he needed time to set things to rights. She had flashed those green eyes at him earlier with a challenge he’d felt unable to meet. Just now, all he wanted was to bury the past and live in the moment. To take her in his arms and feel the knots of strain unravel as her soft body and her warmth became a balm to his senses.
He should have insisted she accompany him to London. He’d lain awake every night worrying about her and missing her, and after her telephone call advising him of the letter, worry had almost crippled him. His every thought remained in Cornwall, when he needed to be clear minded and focused on garnering support for the bill. He could no longer ignore how vulnerable his need for her made him. Although he wasn’t a fearful man when it came to his own hide, what he felt for Laura was something beyond his understanding. He should have known. His failure to gain control over his emotions in the past hadn’t served himwell.
In his dressing gown, he opened the panel, finding Laura alone. She stood with her camisole half over herhead.
“May I be of help?” He stepped into theroom.
“No, thank you,” she murmured, her voice muffled.
She dragged the camisole off with a tearing sound and stood in her lacy bloomers, an arm placed defensively across her chest, her hair swinging and every deep breath seemingly of anger. Yes, anger, Nathaniel thought, eyeing her. He paused midway across the room, admiring his beautiful wife and knowing himself to blame.
“You are angry with me?”
She frowned. “Is there nothing I can do here that you truly approve of?”
Chapter Sixteen
In two strides, Nathaniel reached Laura, the touch of his hands on her bare shoulders reminding her of the only thing that was right betweenthem.
“Sweetheart, what’s this about? Have I ever criticized anything you’ve done?” Nathaniel laughed, which only made her more furious. “Why are you so angry at me?”
Laura fought for control, realizing that her anger stemmed not from their earlier conversation at all, but from the way he continued to hold her at arm’s length. She had foolishly hoped for more, and it was deeply disappointing. “Don’t attempt to humor me, Nathaniel.”
He brushed a damp strand of her hair from her cheek. “When you’re angry, your eyes flash like emeralds.”
She turned her face away, searching for some way to penetrate his remoteness. “Someone said that once.” Howard Farmer, after a heated debate at theuniversity.
