David grimaced. “It was unexpected.”
His friend said nothing, silence filling up the space between them and practically demanding that David speak into it. With a sigh, he pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, feeling the weight of his present circumstances sitting heavily on his shoulders. Would it lessen, even a little, if he spoke of it all?
“I did not think I would ever marry Miss Longleat.” He winced. “I mean, Frederica, of course. We are cousins, as you know, but we have never been closely tied as a family. I knew that I would be heir to my uncle’s estate should he pass away without sons, but that did not mean we had any real connection.”
“His estate is far from your own.”
David nodded. “Yes, it is. So when he appeared one evening last Season and demanded that I come to speak with him, you can imagine my astonishment.”
A sparkle of curiosity immediately entered Lord Broadford’s eye. “It must have been.”
The words began to come more quickly now, his tongue loosening the more he spoke. “Despite my own pleas that we could meet the following day, he was utterly insistent that wespeak that very night. I had no choice but to go to his townhouse, where he was waiting. There was a sense of urgency in his words, which I did not expect.”
“Urgency? In what way?”
David stared at the hearth, bringing to mind the moment his uncle had sat forward in his chair, had pinned David with his gaze, and had told him of what was expected. “He informed me that I was to marry Frederica.”
Lord Broadford’s eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”
“That is just what I said to him at the time.” David gave him a rueful smile. “He stated that a codicil had been added to his will. I had no choice but to engage myself to her, despite my unwillingness.”
“Could you not have refused?”
David shut his eyes and let out a slow, ragged breath.
“The reason I ask is that you are interested – or were interested – in courting another young lady.” Lord Broadford shrugged as David frowned at him. “You did not think I would not notice your interest in Lady Nora, did you? I think most of the ton were aware of it, which is why it seems so very surprising to me that you would then announce an engagement to someone entirely different.”
“My uncle announced it without my consent.” David looked down at his hands. “If I did not do as was asked, my cousin would be left without inheritance or dowry. His threats were severe enough that I had no choice.”
Lord Broadford’s eyes widened, then narrowed. “What sort of gentleman would threaten his own daughter?”
“I do not know.” David reached for one of the cakes, though his appetite had gone. “All the same, I could not leave Frederica destitute.”
“And Lady Nora was taken from you,” Broadford said it plainly, without question, and the accuracy of it struck like a blow.
“And you saw this codicil yourself?” Lord Broadford asked, his tone deceptively casual. “With your own eyes? Read it in your uncle’s solicitor’s hand?”
David frowned, the question catching him off guard. “My uncle told me of it directly. I had no reason to doubt his word.” He shifted in his chair, an uncomfortable prickle at the back of his neck. “I did ask to see it, as it happens. Twice. The first time, he told me it was with his solicitor. The second time, he was already too ill to do more than wave me away. After that, it seemed cruel to press him.”
“Hmm.” Lord Broadford said nothing more on the matter, but the silence that followed was pointed, and David found that the honey cake had lost its flavour.
“As any gentleman might.” With a sigh, Lord Broadford sat back in his chair. “What did Lady Nora say when you explained it all to her?”
Shame began to grow like a thick, dark cloud over David’s head, forcing his chin to lower to his chest.
“You did not speak to her of it?” The incredulity in Lord Broadford’s voice sent a cold flush through David’s chest. “Why did you not say a word?”
“I could not bear it.” Running one hand down his face, David shook his head and looked away. “I was a coward.”
“Yes, you were.” Lord Broadford again spoke plainly but without accusation. “Did you not even think to write to her?”
David looked away. “I did write to her, yes. As you may recall, I was forced to leave London within a few days of my engagement being announced. My uncle’s ill health forced him to return home, and I went with him, for I could not leave him alone with Frederica.”
“So you wrote to her then?”
David nodded. “A few lines only. I could not find the right words.” He had not received a response. He had not expected one.
“Well, that is something,” Lord Broadford remarked, with a shake of his head. “You would have been better to speak with her directly, but I can understand why you did not.” He sat bolt upright in his chair. “Whatever will you do when you see her?”
