His mind raced. Lady Seaton must have died between yesterday and today, which certainly explained why none of the Rosemonts were at home. Still standing on the pavement in front of their house, he glanced around, unsure of what to do next.
He knew what he wanted to do, and that was to comfort the woman he loved.
Because yes, he did love her, didn’t he? What point was there in denying it when every breath he took was with her in mind. Her grandmama was gone and if Callum was brave – if he truly wanted to prove his feelings for her trumped all else – he’d go to her and offer the reassurance she needed.
Intent on ignoring the fear of having her turn him away, Callum returned home at a near run.
He entered the foyer and tossed his gloves to his butler, calling to him as he started upstairs, “I need my horse saddled this instant.”
“What’s going on?” Peter asked. He’d arrived in Callum’s bedchamber while Callum shoved clothes into a satchel.
“Lady Emily’s grandmama…” Callum froze in the midst of the turmoil and stared at Peter. He’d been about to tell him the truth, but what if the news only served to remind him of his own loss? “Umm…”
“Did she die?” Peter asked.
Callum sagged against his dresser. “Yes. Unfortunately so.”
Peter nodded. “Then you should probably go and give her a hug the way you did me. It’ll make her feel less alone.”
The comment speared Callum’s heart. His eyes began stinging. Not once had he believed the affection he’d shown toward Peter when he’d arrived to collect him had made any impact. How wrong he’d been.
Callum crossed to where the boy stood and pulled him into his arms. “That’s my intention.”
He dropped a kiss on top of the boy’s head and set him aside so he could finish his packing. He told him goodbye shortly after and went to collect his horse from the mews.
The journey to Seaton Hall didn’t take long since he wasn’t hampered by a carriage. He arrived there in under an hour.
“Your Grace,” said the butler, recognizing Callum from his visit the previous day. “We weren’t expecting you.”
“I know, but when I heard what had happened I realized I needed to be here.” He met the man’s gaze and held it, relieved to find the look he received in return more welcoming than the Rosemont House butler’s. “If it’s no inconvenience, I’d like to convey my condolences to Lady Emily and her parents, as well as to the viscount.”
“Of course. I’ll see if they are accepting calls.”
The butler left and Callum braced himself against the nearest wall. His hands were trembling. Knowing what was to come had his stomach twisted into all kinds of knots. He’d never been so damn nervous. Not even during that first fated dance with Emily.
This was worse. Much worse. One wrong word and he’d ruin everything.
Get a hold of yourself.
He straightened, squared his shoulders, and clasped his hands behind his back. Footsteps warned of the butler’s return.
“I am to show you to the parlor,” he said and gestured toward the room where Callum had met Viscount Seaton the previous day.
Callum entered the comfortable space. With no one else present, he crossed to the fireplace where several porcelain figures stood on display. He admired them all before going to look at the clock collection that sat on a nearby table.
“Grandpapa has always loved clockwork.” Emily’s hushed words prompted Callum to turn. “Grandmama gifted him most of those.”
The defeated look on her face nearly slayed him. He went to her without caring if she was angry with him or if she might want to end their engagement. All that mattered right now was easing her suffering. The rest could wait until later.
So he pulled her into his arms and embraced her, hugging her close while she wept.
“Shh…” His hand swept up and down her spine in long soothing strokes. “You’re not alone. I’m here. I’ll always be here if you need me.”
“It’s so unfair,” Emily cried. “She wasn’t even that old.”
“I know, sweetness, but she’s with God now and at peace. Try to find strength in that.”
A sob was all he heard in response to his words, so he simply held on and guided her through the worst of the storm until it faded. She gulped a few times, sniffed a little, and pressed her forehead against his chest while clutching at his lapels. A deep inhalation followed before she finally took a step back.
