David looked up, wanting to refuse, to tell his uncle that he could not bear to do such a thing – only for him to stagger back, beginning to cough again as he went. Rising to his feet hurriedly, David grasped his uncle’s arm and led him carefully back to his chair, watching with concern as he continued to cough and hack.
“Something to drink,” Lord Cheltenham managed to say, as David looked around the room, seeing a decanter in the corner. “Anything will do.”
Obliging, David poured a measure of brandy and brought it to his uncle, his worries mounting. It took some minutes, but eventually Lord Cheltenham settled back into his chair, his eyes closing and a long breath of relief pulling from him.
For a moment, something crossed his uncle’s face that was not fury or command. It was there and then gone — a flicker, as if the man behind the demand had surfaced briefly and looked upon the wreckage he was making. Lord Cheltenham’s hand lifted, trembling, as if he meant to reach for David, and his lips parted on something unspoken — something softer, perhaps even an apology. But the moment passed. His jaw set again, and his eyes hardened, and when he spoke, the guilt had been folded away like a letter one cannot bear to send. “You will marry her, then. I will have the announcement of your engagement in the paper first thing tomorrow morning.”
Wanting to protest, wanting to state that he had made no decision and did not think that he could ever bring himself tomarry a lady he did not love, David let his gaze settle on his uncle’s face. The man was pale, his skin mottled, his lips purple. Did he realize he was unwell? Was this the reason behind such manipulation? The hope that he would have his daughter wed before the day of his passing came?
Dropping his head, David pushed his hand through his hair and groaned, drained of all strength.
And despite the agony in his heart, despite the pain that lingered there, David knew he had no choice but to give in to it.
3
“Good morning, Mama.”
Coming to sit at the dining table, Nora smiled at her mother, still overjoyed with all that had occurred the previous evening. “You are awake early this morning.”
“I slept well and awoke refreshed.” Lady Somerset returned Nora’s smile with one of her own before gesturing to the pot of tea waiting on the table. “Should you like some? You know that I always enjoy at least three separate cups before I feel refreshed.”
“Yes, I am aware of that.” With a chuckle, Nora reached to pour herself a cup and then sat back in her seat, stirring in the milk with a gentle hand. A smile of contentment settled on her lips as she looked at the sunshine beginning to push through the windows towards her, thinking to herself that the day seemed brighter than before. Wondering just when Lord Hampshire might appear to speak with her father, she let out a small sigh of contentment, which, in turn, caught her mother’s attention.
“I presume you had an enjoyable evening last night?” Lady Somerset lifted an eyebrow just as heat rushed into Nora’scheeks. “You certainly took a longer time than I had expected to return to my side after the waltz.”
“Lord Hampshire and I were trying to find you,” Nora replied, flushing.
“The ballroom was very crowded, particularly at the end.”
Her mother opened her mouth to say something more, only for the door to open and Louisa to step inside, hiding a yawn behind her hand. “Good morning to you both. Is Papa not to join us this morning?”
“Not as yet, he has business to attend to.” Lady Somerset smiled her welcome to Louisa. “Tea, my dear?”
“Let me fetch it for you.” Rising to her feet, Nora poured a second cup and then, setting the teapot down, handed it to Louisa. “Perhaps it will help restore you to wakefulness.”
With a slightly wry smile, Louisa accepted it. “I thank you. I did not sleep as well as I had anticipated, even though I was quite exhausted by the time we returned home. Mayhap I should not dance every dance at the next ball.”
“You still found it pleasant enough, I hope?” Nora asked, seeing the way her sister’s eyes glowed despite her weariness. “Lord Hawkley was certainly very attentive.”
“Yes, he was.” Louisa sighed softly, a faraway look in her eyes. “Last evening was most delightful, I have to admit. I had the most wonderful time and danced with so many gentlemen, I was quite taken with them all! There was not even one whom I did not warm to, although that, I suppose, might make it somewhat difficult to know what to do should one come to call!”
Both Nora and her mother laughed at this, as Louisa blushed. At the same time, however, a soft, uncontrollable warmth rose within Nora’s chest as she let her thoughts drift very easily indeed back towards Lord Hampshire. Even now, she could practically hear his gentle voice lowered to an intimate whisper as he spoke of his love for her, could feel the gentle press of hishand around hers. The promise of going to speak with her father was held tightly against her heart, tingling with anticipation. When would he call? Surely it would be soon – although not too soon, since it would not be proper.
But then I shall be engaged and all will be well. I will have such happiness as I have never known before.
Her mother’s teacup clinked lightly against its saucer as she set it down, pulling Nora out of her reverie. She reached for her own cup of tea as her mother picked up the gossip column, as she habitually did each morning. Nora said nothing, looking towards Louisa, who quickly rolled her eyes and grinned. Nora hid her smile as best she could, knowing that this was a daily tradition with which she was bound to take part. If she were ever present at the same time as her mother when it came to breaking their fast, both she and Louisa would be expected to enquire and to exclaim over whatever news was offered to them by their mother. She herself had very little interest in gossip and whisper but it was expected nonetheless.
“Goodness, that is astonishing!”
The exclamation made Nora roll her eyes, darting a glance toward Louisa, who was still half-yawning and showing very little interest. With an inner sigh, Nora turned back to her mother. “What is it, Mama? Has something happened?”
“There is an engagement!” Lady Somerset declared, her eyes widening as she scanned the paragraph. “It was only announced last evening and is quite unexpected. There was no suggestion of a connection between the families before now, even though I believe they are related.”
“Oh?” Louisa murmured, still sluggish. “It is not uncommon for such engagements to take place, I am sure.”
Lady Somerset clicked her tongue and shook her head. “He should have made it quite clear that he had this duty, however.He should not have allowed us to think him a bachelor without intention or obligation.”
Whether it was something in her mother’s voice or in her expression that gave her concern, Nora did not know. But as she watched her mother’s face and the play of emotions upon it, she felt something cold brush over her skin. “Might I ask who is engaged? Is it someone that we are acquainted with?” The questions left her uneasy, particularly when her mother frowned, shot her a look, and then clicked her tongue again in obvious displeasure.
