Page 34 of A Gentleman's Reckoning
Chapter Twelve
It had taken every bit of Geny’s self-mastery to remain at home instead of visiting the asylum the next day. She longed to see Mr. Rowles—John—to see if she had misinterpreted his leave-taking to mean he regretted the kiss they had shared. She could not have thought it possible, for there had beenfeelingin that kiss. But then he had been so formal when he bid her good day. Perhaps he was afraid of being found out, or afraid of her reaction, or…worried that others might have detected the closeness that had grown between them. Oh, if only she could know for sure!
She held fast to her dignity and decided she would not go. Perhaps John had not shown outward signs that he had been changed by the kiss, but she had been. Never in her life had she experienced such a sensation—the intimacy of two lips joining, the sweetness as he held her in his arms and cradled her face as though she were someone to be cherished. It was the first time since her mother died that she had received anything in the way of physical affection. It was certainly the first time she’d ever felt cherished by someone who asked nothing in return. She knew John was a good man. He was not pursuing her forpersonal gain; she could sense it. And yet, he had made it clear that he not only sought her company, but admired the woman she was.
“Excuse me, my lady.” The butler opened the door to the morning room where she was sitting. “Lord Caldwell has just arrived. He has returned from school.”
“What—Matthew?” She leapt to her feet and hurried to the door, running out into the hall where her brother stood with a grin. She hugged him, which he submitted to, even returning her embrace for a moment before pulling away.
“I am home. It’s a jolly good piece of luck, is it not?”
“Yes, but why are you?” She examined him. “You have grown taller by at least two inches since I last saw you. Does Father know you are here?”
“Yes, for he was the one who sent for me. There was a measles outbreak in the school, and he did not wish for me to catch it.” Matthew held out his hat for the butler to take.
“Did he bring you back himself then? Is he here?” She looked behind her brother but saw no one. How wonderful it would be for Father to have surprised her by returning early.
“He could not be spared. He sent Brantley to get me. He’s still in Windsor.”
“Oh.” Geny was conscious of a strong sense of disappointment. She had had the unreasonable hope that they might have a family dinner that evening. Her father had been concerned enough to have her brother brought home when he’d heard of the outbreak. That was good, but she would have been better satisfied had he come home, as well.
“Never mind then. So there was a measles outbreak, you say?” Suddenly the implications of the danger he had just escaped hit her.
“Yes. Five lads caught it, and before I knew it, Brantley appeared at my door. The headmaster must have contacted the families to bring us out of there before it spread.”
“I only hope you are not sick,” she said, instinctively feeling his forehead, which was cool. He brushed it off, and she looked at him fondly for a moment. “Hungry?”
“Aren’t I just? I’m as hungry as a hawk!”
“Come on, then.” She led the way to the kitchen. Cook would be happy to dote on Matthew while he sat at the kitchen table as he had when he was still under the care of Nurse.
The day passed quickly as Geny looked over his trunk and pulled out the clothes needing to be repaired or washed. They then spent a very pleasurable evening playing chess and spillikins after dinner. Normally her evenings were so quiet, but she couldn’t keep her joy from bubbling over each time she heard him laugh. She had missed Matthew so.
“I am going to the orphanage tomorrow. Do come with me. You have not come for at least a year,” she coaxed before they went up to bed.
Matthew yawned and stretched his arms wide. “Perhaps. If I am awake.”
“Very well,” she said, knowing it did no good to insist.
At least he had not said no outright, which meant there was a chance he would come. He used to love the asylum and had come with her regularly, playing with the orphan children on their short breaks. Besides, she thought it would be good for him not to be idle for the entire time he was at home, and no one could guess how long that might be.
The next day Matthew woke earlier than expected and came willingly enough with her and Charity. He likely sensed his alternative would be boredom.
Geny’s thoughts had been given a reprieve from revolving around Mr. Rowles, but once they entered the courtyard, those feelings, accompanied by her fears about seeing him again, rose to the surface. They were difficult to put aside, which was inconvenient because she wished to introduce Matthew to himand hoped she could do so without appearing flustered in any way.
They entered the hall, and it was Mr. Dowling rather than Mr. Rowles who was the first person she met. He crossed the hall to greet her, stopping to bow.
“Good morning, my lady.” He turned to Matthew. “How do you do, my lord. Home from school, are you? I hope you were not sent down,” he added in a jovial tone.
“No.”
Her brother deemed it unnecessary to give a more elaborate response than the one word. With anyone else, Geny would have admonished him to be more civil in his greeting, but she could not blame him, for she knew he had also not warmed to Mr. Dowling.
Matthew turned to her. “I wish to visit the stable and carriage house.”
“Very well, you may go. Just stay away from the back wall in the stable, for the stones are coming loose, and I should not like for you to be injured.” He gave a nod and sprinted off.
She found herself alone in Mr. Dowling’s presence, a situation she was eager to remedy. She offered a polite smile and turned toward the stairwell.
