Page 47 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
Everything had changed in such a short period of time. For Nathaniel, his entire world has been turned around. He had gone from a man who was completely unsure about life, who was broken by his grief, into a man who had hope.
He was also more certain than ever about his decision to end his former courtship. Despite what he had initially thought, his grandmother had been wise. She had known exactly what she was doing. And everything that she planned had turned out for the best.
Nathaniel could not help but wonder what the future might hold. As he relaxed at his estate, enjoying the gardens on his own, he wished that Miss Digby was already there with him. He wished he had already made her his wife.
He felt quite certain that the day would come soon. She was a good woman and if he could only arrange for her father’s approval, everything would go well for them.
“My lord,” one of the maids said, coming out to meet him in the garden.
“Ah, yes? What is it?” he asked.
“My lord, you have a visitor. Lord Kensington wishes to speak with you,” she told him.
Nathaniel was delighted that his friend had come. He had not seen him in over a week and there was so much to discuss and to tell him about with the way things had been proceeding with Miss Digby.
He was certain that Lord Kensington would be happy for him, would rejoice with him for everything that was occurring in his life. So he made his way indoors and met Lord Kensington in the parlour.
“Would you like to remain here or enjoy the sunshine?” he offered.
“I fear that I have been ill of late and would rather remain inside,” Lord Kensington replied.
“Are you all right?” Nathaniel asked in concern. He did not wish to be alarmed, but ever since the illnesses of his parents, it was easy for him to be worried about those for whom he cared a great deal.
“Oh yes, just a bit of a cold is all,” Lord Kensington replied.
Nathaniel nodded, hoping that this was the truth. After all, his mother and father had both begun with what they thought was a bit of a cold, until their bodies were wracked with pain and fever.
But Lord Kensington appeared to be just fine so Nathaniel waited as the maid poured tea for them both.
“This is all I need. A little warmth in my throat is always the best medicine,” Lord Kensington remarked.
Nathaniel nodded, hoping he would not be so foolish as to worry every time someone was the least bit ill.
“Now, I’ve not heard from you in some time. How is everything?” his friend enquired.
Nathaniel could not help the delighted joy that spread over his face. He was able to finally share the news of how things had progressed with Miss Digby. There had been very few people who he might have felt comfortable telling, but Lord Kensington was certainly one of them.
“All is well. In fact, things are better than I ever might have imagined,” he said with honesty.
Lord Kensington raised his eyebrows, surprised to hear such a positive reply. “Do tell,” he urged.
“You know that I have been interested in a young woman of late? The one my grandmother arranged for me,” he began.
“Indeed. This is the urchin, correct?” Lord Kensington asked, offensively.
Nathaniel felt his posture change with the discomfort of that remark. “She is no urchin, I assure you. She is a fine young woman. Perhaps she has no breeding that society would deem remarkable, but that hardly takes away from the fact that she is truly the most magnificent woman I have ever met,” he protested.
“Forgive me. I had not been aware that your feelings were so utterly changed regarding her,” Lord Kensington said in an emotionless way.
Nathaniel was beginning to hesitate about saying anything further. Why was he not happier for him? This was not the reaction he might have expected.
“Please, do go on,” Lord Kensington said, taking a sip from his cup.
“Well, I suppose if you wish to know more,” he replied hesitantly.
“Yes, indeed, I do. After all, if this young woman is making you so happy then I should like to understand exactly how,” he answered.
Nathaniel nodded, thinking about what he could say to explain how everything had shifted so greatly.
