Erina stared at him suffering guiltfor doubting him. “I didn’t know, Papa.”
“No, my dear. How couldyou? You were only a child when she died.” He puffed on his pipeand the familiar smell of tobacco spread through the room. “Isupported her family for years. Profligates most of them. I refuseto do it again.”
“But Cathleen is a verynice person. I’m sure you’d like her.”
“Perhaps I would. But I’mnot going back to Ireland to meet her.”
“Mama was your choice. Whydidn’t you allow me to choose my husband?”
“I became concerned whenyou refused Lyndon Wainwright’s perfectly respectable offer lastSeason, because you feared he would prevent you from living as youwished. But I allowed you to have your way, did I not?”
“I am grateful.” Sheclamped her lips before she blurted out that Lyndon was still tiedto his mother’s apron strings. Lady Wainwright mollycoddled her sonand gazed at Erina with a critical eye. She feared Lady Wainwrightwould have insisted Erina treat him in the same fashion.
“Mm. I wasn’t so enamoredof Wainright, but I am confident you and Harry will rub alongtogether very well.”
“Are you, Papa? What makesyou so sure?”
“He’s a steady fellow witha good temperament, and,” he glanced at her, “while I wouldn’t callyou flighty, for you have a good brain in your head, you do sufferfrom the delusion that a woman can live as freely as a man. I’mafraid that is not so, my dear. I cannot see it ever being so. Ifeared you would be hurt. If Harold wasn’t such a gentleman, youwell might have been.” He raised an eyebrow. “Did you reallybelieve traipsing off to Ireland with Harold would be a harmlessfrolic?”
“No, but I was so worriedfor Cathleen I suppose I didn’t stop to think of the consequences.I expected her to come home with me, which would have madeeverything all right and proper. And I did try to show you herletter, Papa. I asked you to take me to Ireland, but yourefused.”
“Well, it’s all in the pastnow. Your cousin has returned to her home. You should be pleasedabout that.”
“I am.” She gently tweakedJasper’s ears and was rewarded with a loud purr. “ButI wish I wasn’t so nervous about marrying Mr.Feather.”
“It’s perfectly natural.Marriage is a big step. But I am confident you will be happy,Erina.”
She wanted to confess herfears; how Harry hadn’t wanted her from the first, and while heconsidered her a friend and perhaps did like her a little, hedidn’t love her. Despite his warm assurances that their union waswhat he desired, she knew she wasn’t what he wanted in a wife. He’dmade it plain when they first met that he preferred a quiet girllike Florence Beckworth. Try as she might, she could never be likeher. But her father had returned toTheTimes. He wouldn’t understand.
She rose and put down Jasper who mewedin protest. “I must go and see if the blue bedroom has been madeready for Aunt Abbie.”
Her father, busy refilling his pipe,murmured agreement as she left the room.
Chapter Eighteen
Bascombe finished Caindale’s letterand tossed it onto the table. Fortified with glasses of whiskey, heand Jack sat in his library, the ever-present cheroot in thecolonel’s hand. “Viscount Holmes was seen to be conversing in theHouse with Butterstone before he left London. I have been trying tolocate him. According to his staff he’s at his country house inSurrey.” Bascombe gestured to the letter. “So Caindale has decidedit’s got too hot for him in London. Gone north you say.”
“Caindale’s wife is veryconcerned about him,” Jack said. “With good reason. He’s gothimself mixed up in this nefarious business. Just formoney?”
“Like many, he’s a dyed inthe wool royalist.”
Jack shook his head. “I don’t see himas the sort of man to fight for his beliefs.”
“No. What seems morecredible is that he’s dangerously close to Dunterritory.”
“Yes, his cotton mill inManchester is in trouble.” Jack put down his glass and stood. “I’llwatch out for Holmes, and if Caindale doesn’t appear by the time Iget back from Waltham Abbey, I’ll go north to find him. But first,I have a wedding to attend. I’m Harold Feather’s bestman.”
“A pleasant task indeed.Who’s the lady?”
“Lady ErinaRountree.”
Bascombe smiled. “A vivacious youngwoman. Please convey my best to them both.”
The next day, Viscount Holmes’ butlerinformed Jack that his master had not yet returned to London. Theguard outside Caindale’s house also confirmed he was stillaway.
Jack filled in the hours familiarizinghimself with his new staff and discussing his investments withStinson. He was quickly becoming confined. Time to take up Grant’sinvitation to visit Stamford.
In the afternoon, Jack drove hisphaeton and newly purchased pair of thoroughbreds intoHertfordshire with the intention of viewing the whippet pup hiscousin had offered him. Jack was fond of the breed, they weregentle animals, as fast as a greyhound and excellentrabbiters.
