Page 8 of A Lady’s Fairytale Come True
“Yes, Miss Hobbs, thank you,” he replied.
The letter was completed, and he sealed it in an envelope. He would have it delivered while he was out, on his way to Lord Kensington’s house.
He had a great deal to do, but he also considered the fact that he needed to see his grandmother the following day. It would be her birthday and she was experiencing a terrible difficulty as well.
“My lord, the coach is ready,” Miss Hobbs informed him.
Nathaniel stood and made his way towards the door. Realising he had left the letter on his desk, he quickly turned back and grasped it. In his soul, he felt a deep longing to destroy the paper. But he knew he was doing the right thing. He did not love her. He had to end the engagement.
His thoughts turning back to his grandmother, Nathaniel considered how he was going and surprise her with the trinket he had purchased from the market the previous day.
It seemed there was a great number of wonderful items coming in due to an increase in trade. Trade was giving England a great deal of flair that Nathaniel had never imagined, but these were wonderful gifts.
The little box with the secret bottom and the song that played within it was a tremendously beautiful delight. Just the thing his grandmother would love and certainly something she did not already have.
“Good afternoon, my lord,” the coachman greeted. Nathaniel greeted him in reply and got in the coach as his thoughts continued to drift.
His grandmother had been struggling deeply over the loss of his father and he hoped this might give her something small to enjoy. The two of them had certainly grown much closer in the midst of their loss.
When Nathaniel arrived at Lord Kensington’s home, he handed the letter to the coachman and instructed him to have it delivered while he was with his friend. He went inside and was led to his friend’s study.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Norton,” Lord Kensington greeted.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Compton. I am glad to see you,” Nathaniel smiled.
Lord Kensington gestured for him to sit and he poured a glass for him. They relaxed for a while and enjoyed an easy conversation about small things. But after a time, Nathaniel knew that the conversation would take a turn.
“And what about Miss Hawthorne? When do you plan to wed?” Lord Kensington enquired.
Nathaniel sighed again. He was nervous to share his thoughts about this. “I have written to her in order to end the engagement,” he confessed.
Lord Kensington’s eyebrows raised in surprise.
“I understand that it is not something typically done, but I could not allow it to continue. A wonderful young woman, she is, but I simply could not marry her.”
“Have you received a response?” Lord Kensington asked.
“I have only just sent the letter. I hope to hear from her soon. But I do hope that she has an understanding as to my circumstance. I am in a very different place, as it happens. I cannot marry a woman I do not love. Now, more than ever, I am realising the importance of marrying someone I wish to spend my life with,” he answered.
Lord Kensington nodded. “I understand. We are not men afforded this sort of choice, you know.”
“I know. But it ought not to be such. We should not be forced to marry for the mere sake of opportunity. And it would be unfair to Miss Hawthorne if I led her into a marriage in which we could not make one another happy.”
“Yes, well, that is quite true. I do wonder, however, if her parents will not simply engage her to another man who will not love her any more than you could have,” Lord Kensington noted.
“Perhaps. But if she were to marry me, then I know for certain that she would not be loved.”
“And your grandmother? What does she have to say about this?” the earl asked.
A coy smile pulled at the sides of Nathaniel’s mouth. He had wondered this himself but was growing closer to an answer.
“I shall inform her tomorrow when I see her. To be truthful, initially I was quite concerned. However, when I think about it, I do believe that my grandmother will be understanding. She was unhappy with my father for having arranged it, although she never told him openly. It was clear enough on her face.” He chuckled at the memory.
“Interesting. I suppose then that she will not mind,” the earl commented.
“Indeed. I believe that she will be rather understanding of the situation. And being that my grandmother and I have grown so much closer through the loss of my father, we shall be able to discuss it rather comfortably.”
“How is she doing? I have seen how you are working to get through this time, but how is your grandmother?”
