Page 69 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
The young woman who had been so popular at his ball was beautiful like her elder sister, but with an air of youth that had been wiped from Miss Digby by all of her responsibilities as the eldest.
“Miss Digby,” he bowed again, hoping he might charm her.
“I assume you are here to speak with my sister?” she questioned with the same sternness as the youngest.
“Indeed, Miss Digby. I have a great deal of explaining to do and I should very much like to begin. Your sister deserves to understand the fulness of what took place and I should appreciate the opportunity to tell her. Is she here that I might have a word with her?” he asked.
“Why should I even tell her that you have come?” the second Miss Digby questioned.
“Because she should make the decision for herself whether or not she hears the truth. Not only that, but I do believe that hearing it will ease her wounds,” he explained.
“Her wounds?” the second Miss Digby scoffed.
Nathaniel wondered if he had chosen the wrong expression. But had not the youngest Miss Digby told him that her sister had been emotional?
“Well, yes. Was she not upset by me? Have I not saddened her?” he pressed.
“You think very highly of yourself, my lord. You see, my sister understands that while she has her place in society, she is far above it. She understands that she is quite valuable and capable. So whatever wounds you believe you have incurred, you belittle her strength by assuming them,” she told him, crossing her arms and tilting her head back.
Although he was a good few inches taller than she, the second Miss Digby looked down her nose at him quite intently. Nathaniel knew that he had said the wrong thing and that crossing strong women was quite a dire mistake.
“I understand. Please forgive me,” he replied.
“Indeed. Now, what is it you would like for me to do about all of this?” she asked him flatly.
“It is not for you to do, Miss Digby. It is I who must correct these matters. If she is willing to speak with me, I should very much like to see your elder sister,” he told her with the most polite manners he could muster.
With her eyebrows drawn together, the second Miss Digby slowly shook her head.
“I am afraid that you have missed her. She is not here. I know that she has gone in search of answers regarding the union between the two of you, but she told me not where. So you must go because she is not here and there is nothing more for me to do about it,” she told him.
Again, the waves and burden of defeat came over him. Nathaniel wondered how he was ever going to fix things if he could not find Miss Digby.
“I see. Well then, would you possibly be willing to give her this note that I have written for her?” he requested.
Seeing the faces of the two young women, Nathaniel recognised that it would not be so easy as that. Whatever hope he might have once had, it was rapidly fading.
“I cannot see why you think we should help you,” the youngest said, taking on the same posture as her sister. It seemed the child was excellent at understanding the ways of her sisters.
“There is no reason that you should. Nevertheless, I am requesting it. I should be honoured if you would consider my own plight in that I have made a mistake but it was grievously overblown by an embittered young woman who did not understand my actions. Your sister was impacted as a result and I cannot express my utmost regret for that fact,” he continued.
The two sisters looked at one another as if trying to decide whether or not they ought to listen to his pleas.
“I beg of you,” he breathed, desperately. Nathaniel stretched a hand towards them as he continued to stand on the other side of the door. With the note held between the two young woman, both their eyes grew wide in uncertainty.
He knew that they had to be loyal to their sister. But he also knew that he might be able to convince them of his innocence and goodness if he tried hard enough.
However, before he had a chance to beg any further, a change overcame the two sisters.
With a sudden look of fear and anxiety, they glanced at one another and then past Nathaniel. His heart skipped a beat at their new expressions and he wondered what could possibly have caused them to change so swiftly.
He sensed the presence of someone behind him and he wondered if it might be Miss Digby herself. However, when he turned, Nathaniel released a quivering breath upon seeing the face of Mr. Digby, the father who so deeply disapproved of him.
The wearied face took on an expression of inner conflict. Nathaniel could see that he very much wanted to be angry, that he wished to appear strong. The stance of his shoulders, the way he took on the same posture of looking down his nose at an earl, all of it gave this impression.
And yet, there was a sympathy in his eyes, a regret even. There was a curiosity as if he wished to know more about the man standing before him.
Indeed, Nathaniel was both anxious and relieved to see Mr. Digby’s curious expression and he wondered if perhaps there might be a chance for him after all.
