Page 3 of A Lady's Stardust Passion
“I’m afraid so. They keep coming in.” She gently placed the pile down on the desk and sat down.
He knew what his role was now, especially if his father was to take a turn for the worse and, God forbid, pass away without being able to resolve this mess. Nathaniel had to be the one to take charge, to comfort, to help his mother and sister, and to make sure that everything was going to be well. But he could see no feasible way out of that mess currently. Well, at least not one that he did not wish to do.
“How is everything with the planning for the ball?” he asked, trying to change the subject.
“Well, that is what I wanted to speak to you about.” She leaned forward and folded her hands in her lap, licking her lips. “I have tried to cut many corners for the debut ball, and I think it will still be very beautiful, and Emily will be happy. Just a few odds and ends here and there: less staff, only one dessert, that sort of thing.”
“That is very good, Mother. I’m glad for that. You’re doing well. Are we still in agreement that Emily should not know about any of this?”
“Oh yes, of course,” his mother said with wide hazel eyes, the same color as his own. “She must not know. She’s very excited for the start of her season, and, you know, with all the troubles she’s had, it will be difficult for her.”
He nodded. His younger sister, Emily, was mostly deaf in her left ear. While she could hear perfectly well out of the other ear, it was embarrassing for her when people to the wrong side of her spoke and she could not hear them. Many believed her to be haughty, for they did not know her true ailment, and Emily and her mother wished to keep it that way.
Nathaniel knew that young ladies had it hard enough with the ton in their Season, and he wished to keep as many burdens off Emily’s shoulders as possible. That was one of the major reasons why he was glad to keep the family financial strains from her.
“Of course.” An idea came to him that he was not eager to put into action, but it had lingered at the back of his mind for a few days now.
Hearing about the ball and Emily’s excitement for the season only spurred on the possibility of this idea.
Father would want me to keep them safe.
“Mother, I have been thinking that perhaps I should start to look to marriage, for financial reasons,” he said as stoically as he could, even though inside all his hopes for finding love were dashed.
His parents loved each other dearly, and ever since he was a child, he had hoped and wished for his own marriage to be just the same. He had thought he’d loved a young lady a few years ago, Lady Delilah Stanhope. But she’d attempted to use him to ruin her so that he’d been forced to marry her, and he saw her true colors.
So, he’d stayed away from the idea of marriage since then. But now, it was urgent. He looked down at the bills and realized that perhaps it was the only way to get them all out of this hole his father had so inadvertently and foolishly created.
“Nathaniel,” she said with a sigh. “You are right, but I do not like the idea of it. It is like you will be a lamb to the slaughter, giving everything up just to help us.”
“And so many others have done the same for the sake of their families, Mother. I too would make the sacrifice if necessary, and it does seem necessary.” He smiled at her, hoping it reassured her, but she still looked concerned as she rose from her seat.
“You must do what you think is best, Nathaniel. But I do wish for you to be happy. I hope you know that.”
“Of course I do, Mother,” he replied, and he gave her another smile as she left.
Pushing away from the desk, he wandered about the study, and he poured himself a glass of whiskey. He paused at the window, looking out for the afternoon streets below. His hand idly came to brush against the globe his cartographer grandfather had bought and given him as a gift many years before.
He spun it, remembering his old dreams of traveling the world and seeing all there was to see. But once he became of age and learned of his responsibilities as a future duke, he wasn’t sure he could leave. And now he was glad he hadn’t for Emily’s and his mother’s sakes.
But as he sipped his whiskey and stared at the globe, he wondered if he ever would get that chance. And if so, when. Right now, the future looked bleaker than ever.
Chapter 3
Three days later, the night for the Worwood ball arrived, and Jane was trying to steady her breath and her nerves as she and her family neared the base of the Worwood steps. Not surprisingly, theirs was a massive estate, even in the middle of London, and her hands shook a little. This was to be her first Season, and with such an inheritance, she knew that everyone would be looking her way.
Being the center of attention had never been her favorite thing, and so she followed her uncle up the steps reluctantly, her Aunt Sarah chattering amiably in her ear. Behind them was Sarah’s lady’s maid, Iris.
She was Aunt Sarah’s young cousin from a poor background, and Aunt Sarah had kindly allowed her to join them that evening. However, Jane knew that her aunt had brought her to keep an eye on Jane as well, and she was touched by the kindness.
“You will be perfect, Jane, if you’re worried about that,” her aunt said brightly. “Your dress is lovely, and you look very beautiful this evening.”
“I second that,” her Uncle Hamish said, and Jane blushed under their praise.
“Thank you all, but I’m only nervous about the large crowd of people. But at least Margaret will be there.”
“Of course, and we will not be far away as we wander the ballroom.” They joined the line of guests, but it moved far too quickly for Jane’s taste, and they soon were stood in front of their hosts. She had never met the Duke and Duchess of Worwood, but the duchess, although beautiful and stately, looked far kinder than Jane expected for someone of her station.
Seconds earlier, just before they’d reached their hostess, her Aunt Sarah had leaned over and whispered. “The duke has fallen ill, so he will not be present this evening.”
