Page 58 of A Sight to Behold
“Your mother and grandfather would be proud to see you seize control over your life. Love is worth fighting for, mark my words.” And even Mr. George had smiled when he’d shut the door and signaled the driver they were ready to depart.
“I expected them to threaten a scandal,” Nick said when they were finally alone. “They must know that I’m nothing.”
“They are the last loyal servants left from my grandfather’s time, Nick. They know that a gentleman can earn his station regardless of whether or not he’s born with it.”
Nick didn’t fully understand the compliment, but he appreciated it regardless. Pippa seemed changed since their night together, as if she’d come into her own. He loved it because it meant the woman he loved radiated happiness thanks to him, and she was somehow more at peace with herself than ever before.
*
In the earlyevening, Nick and Pippa’s carriage pulled up in front of 87 Harley Street. Pippa fumbled with her hair and tugged at the scarf wrapped around her shoulders.
“You look lovely,” Nick said as he kissed her on the tip of her nose. She playfully scrunched her nose, and her glasses slid down. She pushed them back up with her index finger, and Nick’s heart lurched. This was his woman, his love. She was smart and beautiful, wealthy beyond measure, wild in bed to suit his taste, and easily the best kisser he’d ever encountered. “You are a dream come true; do you know that?”
When they went inside, a commotion was underway in the back rooms of the house, and Nick gently grabbed Pippa’s hand and led her to the kitchen. What he saw left him agog.
Several mismatched chairs were around the kitchen table, set with a white damask tablecloth and a small bouquet in the center, including the ones from the waiting room. A pretty white cake, expertly enveloped in whipped cream with strawberries, was on the table with a few plates and forks next to it. Alfie and Andre and a woman in a ruffled dress were seated around the table in freshly pressed shirts. Felix stood at the stove with the tea kettle in hand, and Wendy approached Nick with an expression as if she’d just been hit with an invisible club. Hooked into her arm was no other than…
“Lance?”
“Happy birthday, Nick!” His friend carefully stepped forward as soon he turned his head toward Nick. “Come here!” Lance reached his arms out, and Nick stepped into a manly hug.
He froze at first, unsure what to do. How could he have forgotten that Lance was coming for his birthday? Nick exhaled and collapsed, but then the unexpected happened. Lance tightened the hug, a brotherly and friendly sign of support. “It’s so good to be together again,” Lance whispered, then let go.
Oddly, it was Nick stumbling about the room even though he had his near-perfect vision. Lance washappyto see him. Despite the fact that Nick never had… he’d never even visited him.
“I should have come to visit you,” Nick said in a low voice. Wendy stepped aside and gave him a look like the one their mother had when they’d brought a stray kitten home, that needed care and love but had been neglected. Just like their late mother, Wendy had a heart for outcasts and stray souls.
“You’d always be welcome with us,” Lance said, gesturing toward a woman in a frilly dress. She was seated at the table but immediately rose and came to his side. She was young and had dark hair, but Nick immediately noticed her hypopigmentation when she lifted her gaze. She had a few pale patches on her face where the skin had no color. It was an inconsequentialcondition of the skin that didn’t affect the patient’s health, Nick remembered from medical school. But in aristocratic circles, it was doom. Any imperfections of the skin made a woman unmarriageable, even a harmless skin coloring imperfections like her vitiligo.
“This is Isabel,” Lance said proudly, reaching for her hand. She wore an understated golden wedding band. “My wife.”
Lance beamed. Isabel curtsied, seemingly adept at remaining unperturbed by the shocked expressions people had when they saw her. But Nick wasn’t shocked. She had pleasant features, and when she came up from her curtsy, she showed bright white teeth and a warm smile. She was lovely.
Then why did Nick feel so bad about meeting her?
From behind him came a voice, startling him out of his stupor. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Ellington; I’ve heard of your treatise on cacti and have always wished to obtain a copy.”Pippa.
Oh dear, Pippa was standing behind him!
“This is Lady Pemberton,” Wendy said politely but with wide eyes and menacing raised eyebrows. “She’s…”
Nick swallowed hard as Pippa stepped forward and reached her hand out. Lance received it gracefully and gave a kiss on her knuckles. They were in the presence of aristocrats. Three of them.
Here.
In the kitchen at 87 Harley Street.
Nick was at sea with a million thoughts and no clear direction. Then he saw Wendy’s look, expectant and stern. Pippa exchanged niceties with the woman whom Lance introduced as his wife.
And then the air came back to Nick’s head. Wendy chuckled.
Pippa hooked her arm into the crux of Nick’s arm, and he instantly relaxed.
“You have some news to share, too, old friend, hm?” Lance gave a friendly pat on Nick’s other arm. “Are congratulations in order?”
Alfie and Andre rose, their chairs screeching lightly.
“I—ahem—I…” Words failed Nick. But then Pippa tightened her grip on his arm and nestled against his body. Instinctively, his other hand found hers and laid it atop her delicate fingers. They were cool to the touch. Was she cold?
