Page 50 of Rescued from Betrayal
“I am fine, only fatigued.”And worried, she added to herself. “Perhaps I should turn in for the evening.”
Eddie rose when she did. “Are you certain? It is early yet.”
“I am. Remember Eddie, I live in the country now. We keep earlier hours. You will be here tomorrow, though, won’t you?”
The men confirmed their intent to stay for a few days after which Mr. Roberts would return to his home in Pertly while her uncle and brother traveled back to London. Melior found it odd that Mr. Roberts had planned an extended stay in the country after what Sir Nathaniel had said of his love for London, but perhaps he was needed at his estate by his sisters?
She yawned. Oh well, she’d question him in the morning. It surprised her how fast she had fallen out of the habit of Town, but for now all she wanted was to make sure the rest of her jewelry was secure and snuggle down in her bed. And if a certain book she had secreted from the library happened to make its way into her hands for a few chapters she would not complain.
Nathaniel tried not to squirm as the Duke of Bedford stared him down. The others had gone to bed, but His Grace had insisted on a private meeting.
It would have been easier if the man had railed at Nathaniel, but his silent intense gaze made him feel like a child who’d been caught cheating off his mate’s paper. He sat in torturous anticipation of what his sentence would be.
Finally the duke freed him from his icy blue stare. “Do you know, Sir Nathaniel, why I did not use my sway to free my niece of the rumors in London?”
“Pardon?”
“I could have done it, you know. Oh, there would have been talk, but at my rank I am granted an ample amount of liberties that a mere gentleman could hardly afford.”
“Then why did you not spare us both?”
“Because I was too busy saving you and by extension, my niece. Society would have crucified you, Sir Nathaniel, as the blackest blackguard that has ever lived. You would have been branded a rake or even worse, a man who forced his attention on women.”
“But I did nothing of the sort.”
“You know that, and I know that, but Society is, for the most part, ignorant of the happenings of that night. For your part in saving Melior I am grateful, but we both know Society would have made up a scenario to suit their own purposes.”
It was true. Society could be ruthless in its insatiable need to have new gossip to spread, and scandals were favored over all other social delicacies.
“I suppose I must thank you, then, for taking care with my reputation.”
“Then why do you not thank me?”
Nathaniel was confused. Is that not what he had just done?
“True gratitude requires action, young man. It is not dismissive or inattentive. Tell me, how much have you fulfilled my wishes concerning my niece?”
A knot formed in Nathaniel’s stomach at the realization of his own guilt. He wanted to justify himself, claim that she was mostly to blame for the distance. In truth, he’d hardly seen her outside of dinners, visiting neighbors, and standing for their painting.
“Very little, Your Grace.” He hung his head, peering at his hands as he flexed them in his lap. “In truth, I thought it best to give her time and space to become accustomed to life here, but the days have gotten away from me and I have not even tried to win her affection… or further mine.”
“And that is why she is wilting.”
It was not a question. The accusation hit its mark. After Al had described the happenings in Town he’d seen her retreat withinherself, the melancholy on her face achingly obvious, and it had been his fault.
Melior and people went together like crumpets and butter. Being with people filled the holes in her heart and yet he’d left her alone much of the time.
Solitude, for a woman so taken with Society, would be like a death sentence. It was no wonder she appeared so ill.
“I expected better of you, Nathaniel.” His Grace laced his fingers together and placed them over his stomach as he relaxed into the chair. “Your parents had an exemplary marriage, and I had hoped you would show Melior how to love in the same manner.”
“But they began on love.”
“Did they?” The duke’s dark eyebrows rose.
As Nathaniel searched his memory he realized he’d never questioned the assumption. They had met at a country assembly and married four weeks later. He’d heard his parents often laugh about their whirlwind marriage, but he’d assumed by their demeanor that it had been of their own choosing.
“By your expression, might I surmise that you are ignorant of the situation that led to their union?”
