Page 86 of Refining the Debutante
“My love.” Lord Aldington sneered. “And my brother’s wife.”
It was enough to draw a picture in his mind of what might have happened between the brothers. Ethan could see a slight resemblance to Miranda.
“I cannot carry my sins any longer,” Lord Aldington said, his words slurring. “There is a time to bury what needs burying—both the man and the deeds.”
Their eyes connected once more, and Ethan understood only that Lord Aldington meant to put behind him his past.
“You will help me, then?” Ethan asked.
Lord Aldington groaned, and perspiration broke out again on his forehead. “Not for you... but for her.”
“That is enough for me,” Ethan said.
“Stay with me,” Lord Aldington said, his breath short. “Please.”
Ethan was planning on staying until the solicitor was called for, but seeing a grown man so desperately afraid to die alone humbled him. Didn’t Lord Aldington have anyone else he could call on? It seemed he did not. Ethan pulled a chair by the bed and sat down, pushing aside his own anxiety. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. You won’t have to suffer alone.”
* * *
By the time Ethan returned to London three days later, his eyes were bleary, and he was saddle sore. His trip had not gone anything like he had expected. As worn through as he was, Ethan had to see Miranda right away. He stopped at his home long enough to eat, shave, and change his clothes. Would she be angry that he had disappeared? He rubbed his freshly shaved jaw. He had promised himself he’d find a way for them to be together, but his natural optimism in the future seemed to fade with his weariness.
Refusing to get on his horse again, Ethan sent for his carriage to be readied. He stretched his back before climbing inside. The conveyance jerked into motion. The clopping of horse hooves and the clank of wheels nearly lulled him to sleep. His eyes snapped open when the driver stopped in front of Lady Callister’s town house.
Sighing, Ethan made his way inside. He paced in the drawing room, eager for Lady Callister and Miranda to come down.
Lady Callister finally entered the room, her expression downcast. “I waited for days for you to come.” She shook her head. “You’re too late. She is gone.”
“Gone?” The words were like a punch to his gut. “Where is she?”
“I thought she would send me the address of her boardinghouse, but she did not.” Lady Callister eyed him. “Where haveyoubeen?”
“To Miss Bartley’s uncle’s house in Folkestone.” Ethan waved his hand to dismiss the subject. He didn’t want to talk about his melancholy visit. “Why wouldn’t she send her forwarding address? You must tell me everything.”
“Please”—Lady Callister took a seat and waved to the chair next to Ethan—“sit down before you wear a pattern into my carpet.”
Ethan didn’t want to sit. He wanted to run to wherever Miranda was so he could plead his case and explain. Reluctantly, he sat on the edge of a chair, if only to appease his great-aunt.
“Miss Bartley received a letter from your mother asking her to withdraw from the engagement.”
“My mother?” Ethan clenched his fists.
Lady Callister gave a brisk nod. “Miss Bartley was too much of a lady to throw the money back in her face, so I did it for her. Sometimes a well-meaning set-down is just the thing to soften hard hearts.”
Ethan would have liked to witness that. “Miranda must have been hurt. My mother always doted on her in the past.”
“Your mother’s intentions were not wholly bad. She might still be fond of Miss Bartley, but she was more frightened for the well-being and future of her son. Miss Bartley recognized a connection to her was damaging to your family and your position. She left here to ensure your happiness.”
“What ridiculous nonsense,” Ethan muttered under his breath. How could he be happy without her?
“It was very sensible—something I thought you would understand.” Lady Callister quirked her brow. Was she implying that his practicality had put him in this position in the first place? “One more thing. She left you a farewell note, which I took the liberty of reading.”
“You did what?”
Lady Callister shrugged. “I needed to know if she had left hints as to her whereabouts. You are not the only one concerned.”
“Well? What did it say?” He was almost embarrassed to ask.
“A lot of sentimental sweetness. I quite enjoyed it. But it hardly matters what it says. It makes no difference. She is gone. You need to consider the facts. I could offer enough money to release her father from prison, but it would do no good. Miranda will never earn any respect. From the moment you are married, she will be treated with disdain. Don’t you understand?”
