He returned to hand her a glass of Ratafia. Carrying his snifter of brandy, he took his favorite chair. “I am told Cardew came here yesterday and caused quite a commotion. Mr. Beaufort had to restrain him. I am sorry I wasn’t here. Did he threaten you, Sarah? Should I teach him a lesson?”
“He will have scurried back to Bath by now.” A reluctant smile curled Sarah’s lips. “You should have seen it, Hugh. Lord Cardew tried to punch Mr. Beaufort, but he didn’t have a chancebecause Mr. Beaufort was so quick on his feet. Lord Cardew’s bloodied nose subdued him admirably.”
“What was Cardew’s reason for making such a fool of himself?”
“He came to tell me he is not marrying Lady Gwendolyn Piper.” She looked evasive staring down at her glass, but he didn’t press her. “But his mother hadn’t been told of this decision. I didn’t believe him, so I asked him to leave.”
“That was wise of you, Sarah.”
“Yes. I was glad to have Lucy here. She is able to see things more clearly than I do. I become too emotional.”
“It’s hard for anyone to end a long-standing relationship, Sassie.”
“Yes.” She rubbed her eyes. “But I am sure I did the right thing.”
“I’m sure of it too.” He held up his glass. “Let’s drink to the future.”
She smiled and raised her glass, then took a sip. “I wonder what the future holds for you, Hugh?”
“It’s a little unclear at the moment.”
She fought a smile. “Lucy tells me Mr. Nash is becoming serious. Her aunt believes he will propose.”
Hugh cursed under his breath. “He’s not the man for her.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Who would be the right one, I wonder?”
He ignored her provocative remark. “I’ve seen Nash at the gambling tables. He’s reckless. He’ll go through his inheritance in no time.” Hugh rose. As he passed her, he reached down to tap her nose. “You’ll be one of the first to hear my future plans, when I know them myself.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Will you marryme, Miss Kershaw?”
Lucy’s throat tightened. Mr. Nash had actually proposed. They were walking in the park with the maid, Maisie, looking bored, trailing behind them, when he’d led her to a wooden bench. After a quick glance at the dusty path, he sat beside her, apparently deciding not to risk the knee of his yellow pantaloons. She was glad of that, for he would only feel more foolish when she refused him.
He had voiced the opinion that as husband and wife, they would make a striking couple, so Lucy had expected this and was prepared. While aware it left her in a difficult position once her aunt heard of it, she gently refused him.
He looked shocked. “Have I been too hasty?”
“Not at all, sir. It’s just that I don’t believe we’d suit,” Lucy said, relieved that he didn’t attempt to seize her and try to kiss her, or declare he would die without her. In fact, he had not mentioned love at all. “We are so very different,” she said gently.
He ran a hand through his fair hair, evidently perplexed, then, squinting in the sunlight, replaced his hat. “We are? In what manner?”
“I enjoy reading. By your strong arms and broad shoulders, it is obvious that you are an athletic gentleman who prefers to be outdoors.”
He nodded, seemingly slightly mollified by her flattery. “Yes, I prefer riding and fencing to reading. To be truthful, I had enough of books at Eton. But I fail to see it as a problem.”
“I fear I should bore you,” Lucy confessed, when in essence it was she who would find marriage to him tedious.
Subdued, when he’d taken her home, he made no further argument.
Lucy arrived grimly, prepared to face her aunt, and entered the house. Puzzled and alarmed by the sound of loud sobbing, she hurried into the drawing room. Aunt Mary lay prostrate on the sofa, with Mr. Rattray leaning over her, patting her arm and uttering soothing words.
Jane, who hovered nearby, turned to Lucy with tears in her eyes. “Viscount Howe sent word that Anabel has run away with her lover, a Mr. Connor.”
“And who is he? Certainly, no one of importance! We are ruined!” Aunt Mary shrieked. “I can never show my face in London again!”
Deeply upset for her aunt, Lucy hurried over to her. “How distressing, Aunt Mary. When Anabel sees the error of her ways, I’m sure she will return. I hope few learn of it. How long have they been gone?”
