Page 167
Given how readily she filled every room with conversation, perhaps Arthur ought to have expected his wife would prove equally vocal in his bed. Still, that particular observation was one he intended to keep firmly to himself.
His wife had suffered quite enough embarrassment for one morning. Indeed, another remark from either of his friends and he feared her complexion might soon rival the bowl of red apples sitting in the centre of the table.
Arthur reached calmly for his tea.
“I believe we have exhausted this subject,” he said firmly.
Laurence immediately became fascinated by his breakfast.
Radnor coughed into his coffee.
Cecily, predictably, looked entirely unrepentant.
“However, it will shock no one here to learn that we intend to return to Winworth at the earliest opportunity.” Arthur paused, some of the amusement leaving his expression.
“Depending, of course, upon how long it takes us to discover James’s latest place of residence.”
The change in subject immediately tempered the mood around the table.
Laurence had personally visited the address Eliza had given him weeks earlier, only to discover that her brother was nowhere to be found. When he had returned with the news, Eliza had been beside herself, whilst Cecily, usually so ready with some reassurance or explanation for her brother’s behaviour, had looked equally troubled.
Arthur had agreed that they would remain in London for as long as necessary, and he would personally assist in the search for James.
“I have an idea. Why do you two not continue your journey back to Winworth, whilst Major Miserable and I remain in London and focus upon the search for James? You know I am every bit as concerned as you are, Lizzie, and I shall not give up until I discover where that rascal is hiding.”
“But I could not leave that cross for you to bear alone.” Eliza said.
“He is my brother too. It is as much my cross as it is yours.” Cecily took another sip of her tea. “Besides, you are a wife now.”
The word left her lips as though it were a particularly unpleasant diagnosis.
“And a Duchess,” she continued. “You have an estate to return to, a husband to attend to, heirs to produce and all those other terribly important responsibilities apparently bestowed upon a woman the moment a man puts a ring upon her finger. Some of us mere mortals remain blessedly unencumbered and therefore possess the time to find our troublesome brother.”
The table fell silent.
“My family will always be my responsibility, Cecily.” Eliza’s joy from less than an hour ago had seemingly all but evaporated from her face.
“I did not say it had ceased.” Cecily's expression hardened. “I said the world will expect you to behave as though it has.”
“Miss Dawson.” Arthur's voice cut quietly across the table.
Cecily looked towards him, entirely unperturbed.
“I trust you will take greater care with your words.” Arthur continued.
“Why?” she asked. “They were not directed at your wife, Your Grace.”
Her gaze held his.
“They were directed at the institution that insists she belongs to you,” Cecily continued.
“I think there can be no doubt in this room, Duchess, that you care for your family and, indeed, almost everyone you encounter, very deeply,” Laurence said, breaking through the tension that had settled over the table.
“Geese and stable boys included.”
The corner of Eliza’s mouth twitched despite herself.
“But I do believe there is some merit in Miss Dawson’s proposition.” His expression softened. “The two of you have finally found happiness, and I, for one, think you ought to be permitted to enjoy it unencumbered, even if only for a few weeks. Miss Dawson appears more than capable of organising a search, and I know that Major Miserable and I would both be quite willing to assist.”
