Page 43 of Loving a Dowager
Walter grabbed the lad by the arm and pulled him into the foyer. “You can’t delay the inevitable.” He searched Nicholas’s features, who was acting peculiar. “Henrietta isn’t a dragon. She is quite harmless.”
“It’s not that, Uncle. It’s…”
Henrietta appeared at the foot of the stairs. “Lord Darlington, how lovely to see you.” She approached and gave Walter a kiss upon the cheek. “I’m glad you decided to take the morning off instead of hiding in the office today.”
Nicholas bowed. “A good morn to you, Lady Henrietta.”
Henrietta left Walter’s side, linked her arm about Nicholas’s, and steered him to the far drawing room, past the room where Archbroke was entertaining his nephew and niece who were in residence. Max and Claire were a delightful and extremely intelligent pair that both Theo and Graham doted upon as if they were their own. And the children adored their new cousin, always asking to hold the babe. Managing the Home Office, Archbroke was a stickler for order and tradition, but at home, he was an entirely different man. Walter enjoyed his visits to Archbroke’s townhouse, both during the day and evenings. It was filled with warmth and laughter. No stodgy meals in the morn nor at supper, and Walter cherished the invitation to join them.
Sliding onto the settee next to Henrietta, Walter watched as Nicholas perched on the edge of the chair next to them. “Lad, pray tell what has you behaving like a man about to be hung?”
“It’s Miss Marina White.”
“Ah, the girl has caught your attention.”
“No.” He jumped to his feet and rounded the chair, grabbing the back with clenched hands. “How do I explain?”
Walter said, “Simply state the facts.”
“The other night at the opera, Miss White was behaving shy and demure. Unlike our previous meetings where she boldly glared and declared her opinions. She wouldn’t meet my gaze, and when Lady Bertha reached for her arm to leave, Marina flinched as if in pain.
“You fear for her well-being?”
Nicholas threw his hands in the air. “It’s senseless. I’m fully aware she is quite capable of handling herself and others. Yet I have this gnawing feeling in the bottom of my stomach.”
The door to the drawing room opened. Before the butler could announce their visitor, Miss White herself rushed into the room and stood before Henrietta.
Wringing her hands, Miss White said, “Aunt Henri, you must help.” Since when had Miss White taken to calling Henrietta aunt?
Henrietta rose and embraced the girl, running a calming hand up and down her back as she sobbed into Henrietta’s shoulder. “Hush. All will be well, but first you must tell me what has occurred.”
“Aunt Bertha…” Marina pulled back and took a calming breath. “Aunt Bertha has run off with Mr. Ainsworth.” Pulling a crumpled piece of parchment from her pocket, she handed it over to Henrietta. “She left me this note.”
Nicholas left his post by the chair and came to stand next to Marina.
“Oh, Lord Darlington, I did not realize you were here.” Just as his nephew had mentioned earlier, the girl cowered away from him. Nicholas would never harm a woman. Walter found the action rather insulting. He was about to join the trio when Henrietta glanced back and gave her head a little shake. In fact, she herself moved further away from the younger couple to stand by the far window. Eyes narrowed, she raised the parchment to the light and focused on reading its content.
His nephew shifted yet another inch closer to Miss White and a dark scowl settled upon his features. “Why is there face paint covering your pretty features?” He tipped up the girl’s tear-streaked face. Even from the settee Walter could see the dark, yellowish tinge across the girl’s cheekbone.
Nicholas pulled her to him. “Which of your blasted male relatives dared to touch you?”
The girl rocked her head side to side.
“I won’t let them near you again,” Nicholas declared.
Henrietta returned waving the letter about. “Bertha states you are to join her and Mr. Ainsworth. We merely need to…”
“She’s not going anywhere.” His nephew glared at Henrietta.
Walter jumped to his feet. “It’s not up to you, Nicholas.”
Miss White pulled back and stepped out of Nicholas’s reach. She rolled her shoulders back and faced Henrietta. “I came here today, in hopes, Aunt Henri, that you might recommend me for a position in Lord Archbroke’s household—mayhap as a nursemaid.”
The material of Nicholas’s jacket was pulled taut across his back. All traces of the boy’s patience evaporated. “Oh, no you’re not. You shall not be in anyone’s employ.”
At Nicholas’s arrogance, the self-assured young woman Walter had first met reemerged. Chin held high, hands firmly planted upon her hips, the girl said, “You have no say in the matter, Lord Darlington. Shouldn’t you be takingLadyEmilie for a carriage ride?”
Walter and Henrietta glanced at each other and took a half step back. Miss White was small in stature, but she had a mean right hook and pointy elbows. It wouldn’t do to be in the way if she decided to give Nicholas the solid wallop he deserved. The heavy emphasis on the honorifics was not lost on anyone. Especially not Nicholas, whose eyes had narrowed and lips had thinned into a severe line.
