Elizabeth moved toward Nicholas, expecting him to take her in to dinner, but he didn’t move from Louisa’s side. Trying but failing to conceal her annoyance, she went to her son, who reluctantly turned his attention back to their guests. He led her out and the rest followed.
The awkward stiffness of the evening continued throughout the dinner. No doubt sensing that Mary was the most amenable person in the other group, Catherine tried several times to start a conversation. Her efforts, however, were met with stilted half answers. Elizabeth seemed to make an effort, but she couldn’t hold back the little jabs for which she was known. And Edward… Louisa had caught him looking at her once, his face openly hostile, and a shiver of unease had gone through her. Her husband’s hands, still holding his utensils, stiffened. For a moment she feared he was going to use the knife as a weapon against his cousin. She placed a hand over his and smiled reassuringly when he turned to look at her. A vein throbbed in his cheek. It was at that moment she realized he was right. They shouldn’t have come. If the evening ended without Nicholas and his cousin coming to blows, it would be a miracle.
Louisa turned to Mary. “Catherine will be coming out next spring and we’ll be going to town for the Season. Will you be there?”
Mary looked at her mother before replying. “We haven’t decided.”
“We didn’t expect Mary would need a Season,” Elizabeth said, her tone cold, “so we haven’t made arrangements. Perhaps, given our recent disappointment, we might impose upon my nephew and stay at his townhouse.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.” Nicholas’s tone was smooth but firm.
“But cousin,” Edward said, his voice oozing with false sincerity, “surely you can do that much for us since our entire family has been so disappointed of late.”
His words were accompanied by an unsubtle leer in Catherine’s direction and Louisa’s stomach turned over with disgust.
Nicholas stood so quickly his chair would have toppled to the floor if a footman hadn’t rushed forward to catch it before it fell. “We’re leaving,” he said.
Louisa froze, but only for a moment. She removed the napkin from her lap and placed it on the table. Catherine didn’t know what was going on, but it was clear she had picked up on the undercurrent of Edward’s words and was visibly shaken. Louisa reached for her hand and squeezed it and they both stood.
Nicholas turned to Lady Overlea. “Grandmother?”
Lady Overlea’s gaze moved from Nicholas’s determined face to the gloating one of his cousin. Edward had accomplished what he’d set out to do. It was clear now to everyone that he’d never intended to mend the rift between the two families.
Without a word the dowager stood and headed from the room.
“Go ahead and walk away,” Elizabeth shouted after her retreating figure. “We all know which grandchild you favor. Why pretend otherwise?”
The older woman’s footsteps never faltered. She didn’t even glance up at Nicholas when she passed him. Louisa and Catherine followed silently with Nicholas last. They waited outside for the carriage to be brought around. The air was cool, but no one said a word. That silence continued as the carriage pulled away from the house. Nicholas stared out the window, his jaw clenched.
Guilt assailed Louisa. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice sounding unnaturally loud in the oppressive atmosphere.
Surprised, Nicholas turned to look at her. “Whatever for?”
“I should have listened to you. We never should have come here tonight.”
“No,” the dowager marchioness interrupted. “It is my fault. I know you accepted for my sake.”
“It is no one’s fault but theirs,” Nicholas said. Although he tried, he couldn’t keep the anger from his voice.
Catherine asked the question Louisa had been wondering herself.
“What happened between the two branches of the family? It must have been very bad to cause such a great rift.”
Nicholas laughed, the sound bitter. “One would imagine that to be the case. The fact, however, is that nothing happened. My uncle always hated my father and he passed that hatred on to his wife and children.”
“They were twins, were they not?” Louisa asked.
“Yes,” he said. “I remember once, as a young child, mistaking my uncle for my father. I ran up to him and tried to hug him. I could only reach his legs at the time.” He paused briefly, but no one said a word, waiting for him to continue. “He kicked me.”
Louisa gasped in horror. She could picture all too well the confusion and hurt Nicholas must have felt at the time.
“I was fortunate, however. My uncle reserved most of his hatred for my father and my brother. Since I was unlikely to inherit, he usually ignored me.”
Lady Overlea shook her head and sighed. She held herself with dignity, but Louisa could sense her sadness lurking just beneath the surface.
“Henry never got over the fact that he missed out on the title by a mere ten minutes. It certainly didn’t help that my husband made no secret of the fact he favored Nicholas’s father over him. I tried to make up for it but obviously failed.”
Nicholas reached for his grandmother’s hand. “None of this is your fault, Grandmother. My uncle may have felt cheated, yes. I suppose I can understand it, though I have to say I never envied James that he was the heir. Given the closeness of their ages, I have no doubt it was a bitter pill for Uncle to swallow. In the end, however, he is the one responsible for his own actions. He didn’t have to spend his life wallowing in his bitterness. And to impart that hatred on to his children was unconscionable.”
No one spoke for the remainder of the ride home. Once there, Lady Overlea bid everyone goodnight and went up to her rooms. Louisa’s heart went out to Nicholas’s grandmother as she watched her climb the stairs, disappointment weighing down her small frame.
She turned to Catherine, anxious to comfort her after the unpleasant ending to their evening, but it was her sister who spoke first.
“I’m all right, Louisa,” she said. “I must say, however, that your cousin is not even remotely like you, Nicholas.”
“Envy can cause a man to do many vile things.”
“I find it difficult to believe it is just jealousy. There is an air of unpleasantness about your cousin and I doubt he would behave differently if he were the marquess.”
“Yes,” Nicholas said, his expression grim. “Well, at least it is now done. You can trust there will be no repeat performance of tonight’s farce.”
After saying their goodnights, Louisa waited until her sister was out of sight before turning to her husband. “I am so sorry.”
Nicholas took her into his arms. “Stop talking nonsense. None of this is your fault. I want you to put such notions out of your head.”
Louisa tried to smile, but the stress of the dinner party still weighed heavily on her.
“Well, at least the evening is over.”
“Not quite,” Nicholas said, a wicked smile forming. “I seem to recall you promised to do something for me….”
* * * * *
As the days passed Louisa tried to push her fear to the back of her mind, but she couldn’t stop watching her husband, waiting for his next attack. Nicholas looked so vital, so healthy, and the last thing anyone looking at him would believe was that he was a man with a terrible illness. There were moments, however, when fear for the future overwhelmed her. Usually those moments came after they made love and she was lying sated and content in his arms. Panic would rise unbidden then, taunting her with the knowledge that such moments of sheer happiness could come to an end any day, and it would take her a long time to fall asleep.
When morning arrived, Louisa would busy herself and refuse to allow such morose thoughts to take hold of her. Watching Nicholas that morning across the breakfast table, she was struck anew by how healthy he appeared.
She was so lost in her own thoughts she barely took notice of Catherine’s mood. Her husband’s words, therefore, surprised
her.
“I can almost hear you thinking, Catherine. Have you decided yet whether you want to ask me about what’s clearly on your mind?”
Louisa looked at her sister in time to see her blush.
“I heard that you received a letter from Lord Kerrick yesterday,” she said, her blush deepening. “I was just wondering how he is. He left so suddenly without even saying goodbye.”
Louisa had been so preoccupied with her own concerns, but now that she thought about it she realized Catherine’s mood had been solemn of late. In fact, since Lord Kerrick had left.
“I’m afraid it was unavoidable. A situation arose that required his immediate attention. However, there are still a few matters we need to settle and he should be returning tomorrow.”
A smile lit Catherine’s face. “I am so glad.”
Nicholas raised a brow at her enthusiastic response, but didn’t comment further. After he excused himself and headed for his study, Louisa stopped Catherine before she could disappear into the conservatory for the day.
“I fear I have neglected you of late, Catherine. I’ve been preoccupied with other things, but that is no excuse.”
“I’m a little old to expect you to babysit me. I’ll be out in society soon.” Her mood brightened further. “Is that what you wish to talk to me about?”
“Lady Overlea told me the modiste we used for my wardrobe will visit later this week to measure you for the evening wear you’ll need next spring.”
Catherine clutched her hand. “Isn’t it wonderful, Louisa? When I think of how things were such a short time ago, how dire our circumstances…” She shook her head. “It was most fortunate that Nicholas found his way to our house that night. I know you worry about John, but we must have faith that he is well.”
She winced inwardly when she realized she hadn’t thought about her younger brother for some time. “That isn’t what I wished to speak to you about. I wanted to discuss Lord Kerrick.”
“He’s only been away for a week, but I do miss him.” Catherine’s forehead creased as a thought occurred to her. “I imagine when he returns his visit will be a short one.”
“Listen to yourself. Lord Kerrick is eleven years your senior.”
Catherine stiffened. “I am aware of his age. What does that have to do with anything?”
“It has become apparent to all that you have developed an infatuation for Lord Kerrick.”
“Why should I not? Are you annoyed he may no longer pay attention to you? It is most unfair, Louisa. Must you have every man’s interest?”
Louisa was shocked at her sister’s accusation, especially since the opposite had been true recently. Over the last few years she’d seen the speculative male glances aimed at Catherine. However, given the deception she and Kerrick had played to rouse Nicholas’s jealousy, she couldn’t blame her sister for believing what she did.
“Lord Kerrick and I are only friends. I have no desire to receive any romantic attention from him.”
Her sister’s anger deflated. “Really?”
“How could you think otherwise? Is it not clear that I have feelings for my husband? You know I am not a flirt.”
Catherine appeared all of her seventeen years, her uncertainty and relief very evident.
“I didn’t think you the type, but there were times when I saw the two of you together… I couldn’t help but wonder.”
Louisa weighed how much to tell her sister. If she’d noticed the game she and Kerrick had played in order to waken her husband’s jealously, then how many others had also noticed?
“Lord Kerrick was amusing himself at Nicholas’s expense. He found my husband’s displays of jealousy amusing.”
“I am relieved to hear you say that,” Catherine said, but Louisa wasn’t sure her sister believed her.
A horrible thought occurred to her. She didn’t think Lord Kerrick was the type to take advantage of an innocent, but she had to ask. “Did Lord Kerrick make any inappropriate advances toward you?”
Catherine colored. “Of course not. I am not yet out.”
Louisa knew that wouldn’t stop many men. She was relieved, however, to know that her faith in Nicholas’s friend was not misplaced.
Catherine stood and turned to leave, and Louisa let her go with a silent hope that her sister wouldn’t be in for future heartbreak. She knew Kerrick liked Catherine and found her attractive. She’d caught him looking at her enough times to discern his admiration for her beauty. But that didn’t mean he intended to court her.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Catherine said. “Before you came downstairs I gave Nicholas the list of plants he wanted.”
Louisa frowned. She hadn’t thought Nicholas was interested in botany. “What list of plants?”
“The list of poisonous plants he asked me to get for him.”
“Why does he need a list of poisonous plants?”
Catherine rolled her eyes as though the answer should have been obvious.
“To keep them out of the house. One of the plants in the conservatory made him dizzy last week.”
Catherine turned and left the breakfast room, leaving her dumbstruck. Nicholas had suffered another spell recently and hadn’t told her about it? She started toward the study to confront him but stopped short when she realized she was overreacting.
She would have known if he’d suffered an attack. He had been dizzy, though, and Catherine and he both thought one of the plants in the conservatory had caused it. What did that mean? More importantly, why hadn’t Nicholas told her about the episode?
* * * * *
Nicholas looked up from the papers he was studying and rubbed his eyes. He’d never realized how much work was involved in being a marquess. As the younger son he’d never had to learn all the details involved in running the estate, and while he’d always held an interest in politics, his opinions had been just that. Opinions. Now that he was expected to sit in Parliament, he took that responsibility seriously. Especially since he now had renewed hope for his future.
His future. He smiled as he thought of Louisa and the life they would have together. But first he had to determine Edward’s guilt. Kerrick couldn’t get here soon enough. His letter had said he would be accompanied by Lord Brantford. He didn’t give further details, but Nicholas knew Kerrick had friends who were involved in intelligence. He’d never imagined the Earl of Brantford was one of those men, however.
He turned his attention back to his reading but was interrupted a few minutes later by a knock at the door. Hoping it was his Louisa, he bade her enter, but instead it was his valet. He was disappointed, but only for a moment. Harrison had been acting strangely and it was time to get to the reason for his evasiveness.
“I beg your pardon, my lord,” the valet said with a brief bow.
The man was definitely nervous. Nicholas made a show of looking at the mantel clock before speaking.
“Is this something that couldn’t wait until I saw you later?”
“Lady Overlea may interfere later.”
It appeared he would not need to draw his valet out after all. He knew the man referred to Louisa and had to tamp down on the urge to reprimand him for speaking against the mistress of the house.
“What is it, then?”
“I was able to acquire some bottles of your favorite brandy. Lady Overlea was quite thorough when she had all the spirits in the house disposed of, and I know she took the last bottle I gave you. I thought it would be more prudent if she did not learn that you have new stock.”
New stock? Good lord, how much did the man acquire? He realized it was very likely that his next drink would contain a lethal dose of the poison. Edward must be getting impatient.
He leaned back in his chair, affecting an appearance of resignation. “That won’t be necessary, Harrison.”
“She has relented?”
He shook his head.
“I’m afraid my wife may have a point. Given the severity of my last attack, I’ve decided to stop drinking.”
>
Nicholas watched the other man carefully for his reaction.
“Not drink? You mean not drink brandy, my lord? If that is the case I can obtain something else for you.”
Nicholas shook his head. “I’m afraid I will have to stop drinking spirits altogether.”
The expression on Harrison’s face was priceless. “But you’ve always enjoyed a good drink now and again.”
Nicholas sighed. “I’m afraid those days are now behind me. It shall have to be tea and coffee for however long I have left.”
“Tea?”
While his valet was off-balance, Nicholas moved in for the kill.
“When were you planning to tell me about your connection to my cousin’s household?”
The color drained completely from Harrison’s face.
“I beg your pardon, my lord?”
“You were seen, Harrison.”
His valet appeared as though he wanted nothing more than to turn around and flee.
“Did you think I would frown on you forming a romantic attachment? I may have been an avowed bachelor before my marriage, but I was hardly a monk. I understand that a man has needs.”
The relief on the other man’s face was laughably obvious. He hoped Harrison never took up gambling. He would be horrible at it.
“A romantic attachment. Of course. You are referring to…”
“Your meeting with my cousin’s maid. She was seen passing you a love note.”
Harrison looked away and cleared his throat before continuing. “There was nothing to tell, my lord. I’m afraid the girl has formed a stronger attachment than I’d intended. It was merely a light flirtation.”
He stumbled over his words as he spoke. Good, Nicholas thought. He had the man clearly rattled.
“I understand. But if the relationship becomes more serious, you will come to me, I hope. I am not such an ogre that I would expect the two of you to continue to sneak around behind my back.”
“No, my lord. Thank you, my lord. I will allow you to get back to your work now…”
Nicholas’s mouth firmed into a grim line as he watched the man scurry from the room. It was clear that Harrison was involved in the poisoning. Nicholas had every confidence he would fold quickly under questioning.
Loving the Marquess Page 21