His heart gave another untimely thud. “Augusta,” he muttered.
Henry nodded. “It was not my finest moment. Nor can I claim these past years were.”
“She has been patient indeed.”
Miles stepped aside so Henry could enter the glass doors that led into the ballroom. Henry paused just inside the threshold and stared up at the ceilings. He smiled. “Things have not changed one jot.” He looked to Miles. “It seems you are doing a fine job indeed.”
Miles merely lifted his shoulders and followed Henry over to the large fireplace that was rarely lit. Henry paused here, tracing a finger over the carved wood of the surround.
“Henry?” Miles prompted. It was rare to see his brother so introspective or for him to be this damned quiet. He’d half-expected to have to endure endless tales of his adventuring.
Henry glanced at him, his blue eyes filled with a strange sadness that made Miles regret every thought of annoyance or anger directed toward him. He smiled briefly and straightened. “I know I have been remiss in neglecting you all.”
“You said that, Henry, you do not—”
His brother held up a hand. “I was not in the best frame of mind when Father died.” He sighed. “And I know it was a shock to us all. He had always seemed so healthy and vital, as though he might live forever.”
Miles nodded. Their father’s death had come as a shock to them all. He had certainly not been prepared to take on the mantle of viscount and all the responsibilities it had come with. The only thing he could be grateful for is it prevented him from ever sinking back into his old ways.
“It is a terrible excuse, particularly when, from what I hear, you are doing a stellar job of filling his shoes.”
Miles said nothing.
“And, of course, I leaped headlong into proposing to Augusta.”
Clenching his jaw, Miles stared sightlessly into the empty fireplace.
“She certainly deserved better.” Henry rubbed a hand over his face. “But we were always going to be together, were we not? It was what everyone wanted and, well, it’s Augusta...she’s a fine girl and we all knew she’d make a fine wife.”
Miles ground his teeth together, only stopping when his jaw hurt.
“It just seemed the right thing to do,” Henry said. “Life was short and people could vanish at any moment.”
“And the fleeing the country part?”
“Not my finest moment, I’ll admit.”
“You do not seem to have done poorly for it.”
Henry’s brow lifted. “You are angry at me?”
Miles pressed his lips together. “You did leave us all rather in the lurch, Henry.”
“And I left you fending for me with regards to Augusta.” Henry sighed. “I know I have much to make up for.”
“That is why you have returned?” Miles frowned. Though he looked healthier and more worldly, there were creases around his brother’s eyes that had not been there before. It could be that the sun was to blame but something seemed to weigh on his brother’s shoulders and he was not certain it was simply guilt.
“When I was in Hungary, there was a mudslide.” He gave a shudder. “Awful thing it was. Lots of deaths.”
“A mudslide?” Miles echoed.
Henry nodded. “I was lucky. The building in which I had been staying in was washed away. But I had found this woman trapped and was trying to aid her. Because of her, I was not where I should have been.”
“Christ.”
Henry gave a grim smile. “It rather put a damper on all of my travels, and it made me realize—”
“Henry!” Their mother hastened into the ballroom and picked up pace when she spotted Henry. Flinging her arms around him, her weight nearly sent him toppling back against the fireplace. “I heard you were spotted approaching but I did not really believe it.” She drew back and pressed hands to either side of his face.
Miles could not help smile at his mother’s beatific expression. It was no secret that Henry had always been her ‘baby’ and as much his brother had bemoaned his treatment as the youngest, he knew Henry enjoyed the close relationship he had with her.
“Goodness, you do look brown. And older.” She stepped back. “But quite regal because of it. Do you not think, Miles?”
Miles smirked at his brother’s expression. “Oh, yes, regal indeed.”
“Come, we must get you some food and drink. No doubt you are in need of it.” Their mother looped her arm through Henry’s and forcibly dragged him out of the ballroom and down the corridor to the second drawing room. Miles followed, half-listening to his mother’s incessant questions of the journey. It was good to have Henry back in a way. His mother had missed him and there was something odd about occupying this house without his brother. But, of course, it meant, he assumed, the wedding would be going ahead.
Unless Henry was looking to call it off. Augusta would be ruined, if so, but perhaps they would be able to...
“Miles?”
“Yes?” He looked to his mother.
“I was just saying we should hold a ball to celebrate Henry’s return.”
Miles grimaced and ignored his brother’s amused expression. He’d done enough hosting and enough balls of late. “Perhaps,” he murmured.
Mother pulled the bell and practically dragged Henry over to the sofa, tugging on his arm so that he practically fell into his seat. “You must tell me of all your adventures.”
“I will of course regale you with all my tales, Mother,” Henry promised, “but first you must tell me of you. And Miles. I see you are both looking well, but what has my brother been up to of late? You know how closed-mouthed he is.”
Miles glowered at his brother. If he was digging for any tales of misbehavior, there would be none. It had been a long time since he’d done anything disreputable and he’d wished Henry would remember that. If anyone had been—
“Miles has been doing wonderfully. I know your father would be so proud, God rest his soul.”
Henry shot Miles a smug look. “Good to hear it.”
Miles narrowed his gaze at him and Henry chuckled. “His sense of humor has not improved in my time away it seems.”
Rolling his eyes, Miles reached for a biscuit and shoved it whole into his mouth.
“Nor has his manners,” their mother declared.
“I have perfectly good manners,” Miles protested around a mouthful of crumbs.
“Try telling that to the rug,” Henry said, casting his gaze pointedly down to where a sprinkling of crumbs had landed.
Miles grunted and leaned back in the armchair. “To think there were times when I missed you.”
“I have no doubt you did, Brother.” Henry grinned. “But all is well now. Your little brother is here to keep you company.”
“I like my own company,” Miles muttered.
“I really do think—” Their mother paused and frowned. “Goodness, I just realized I was to visit with Mrs. Lowbury today. I had better have word sent. Perhaps she can come here and see how Henry is doing. Oh, she will be most delighted to see him.” She rose as swiftly as she could from the seat, straightening her skirts and twisting briefly to clasp her hands around Henry’s face. “How handsome you are and how wonderful it is to have you home.”
Miles waited until she had left the room before leaning forward, his elbows upon his knees. “You have made Mother’s day. No, make that year.”
“I am glad.” Henry pressed a hand to his mouth. “And I am gladdened that you are not angry with me.”
“Angry?”
“Come on, Miles. I know you. None of this would have been easy on you—looking after mother, taking over the estate...even looking after Augusta...”
“Well, I have only really spent time with her recently...” Too much time, in far too close confines, in a far too familiar way. But he could not admit to that.
“Anyway, what I was trying to say about the mudslide...”
“Do not tell mother of that. She’ll have a
fainting fit.”
“I have no intention of uttering a word to her.” Henry lifted a cup and took a long sip of tea. “But in a way, it was a good thing that happened to me. It reminded me once again that life is short and that running away from my responsibilities was not a fine way to spend it.”
“So you are returned for good?”
Henry nodded. “Indeed. And I intend to make things up to you. To you and Augusta. I shall be here to help with anything you need. Put me to work. If travelling taught me anything, it was how to labor.”
“I will certainly not refuse any aid from you, Henry.”
“Excellent.” He finished the cup of tea before setting it on the tray in the middle of the table. “But before I do anything, I must speak with Augusta. It is high time we set a date.”
Miles had known it was coming. Maybe he’d been in denial, believing that Henry might in fact want to break things off. It didn’t matter though. It still struck him like ten rounds to the gut. He drew in a breath and forced his expression to remain neutral.
“You still wish to marry her then,” he said.
“Of course. After all, I made the girl a promise, and what sort of a gentleman would I be if I just broke it off after making her wait for so damned long?” Henry paused, a crease appearing between his brows. “Unless you can think of a reason that I should not.
Miles shook his head slowly. “No, no reason at all.” He forced a painful smile. “No doubt, Augusta will be thrilled to hear you say such a thing.”
“Excellent. With any luck, she shall forgive me quickly enough for my absence when I make quick with setting a date.”
“No doubt she will,” he agreed.
Because Augusta was too damned good for either of them.
Chapter Thirteen
“Goodness, he has grown handsome!”
Augusta looked up from her embroidery, having been entirely unaware that her mother was in the parlor room until her squeaky exclamation. Hands clasped to her face, her mother bounced up and down on her toes while peering out of the window.
“So handsome,” she repeated before turning to Augusta. “Perhaps these years apart were not so very bad. He was fine-looking before but to see him now…” She gestured rapidly with her hands. “Come and steal a look, quickly, before he reaches the house.”
Augusta swallowed the knot in her throat. It had to be Henry. There was no one else from whom she had spent years apart or who her mother would gush over. “It’s fine, Mama, I am sure I shall see him in just a moment unless he is here to see Papa.”
Part of her hoped that would be the case. Perhaps he was intending to break things off. It would be disastrous, of course, and her family would be heartbroken but at least then...well, at least then she would have the decision made for her even if it left her alone and eventually destitute.
She grimaced at her rather poorly stitched rendition of a violet. Normally embroidery brought her a sense of peace, but the past few weeks, she had been unable to concentrate thanks to Miles. She sighed. Destitution was hardly a fate she would meet with relish and she was being foolish. Miles would not save her. He clearly regretted kissing her.
“Stand up, Gus. You need to straighten your skirts.” Her mother grabbed her embroidery from her hand and flung it carelessly onto the sofa then snatched her hands and hauled her to her feet. Fingers pinched at her cheeks then spread over her waist and down then fluttered over her hair, pressing the pins more tightly into her head.
Augusta winced as pins jabbed her scalp and batted her mother’s invasive hands away. “Ouch, Mama!”
“Thank goodness you are wearing one of your new gowns. What a fine thing it was you decided to finally take me up on my offer.”
Augusta rather enjoyed her new gowns, she had to admit. Not because of the attention they brought her but they certainly flattered her non-descript figure better and brought out color in her cheeks. At least if she had to face Henry, she could do so with a little more pride than previously.
A knock at the door and Mrs. Goldsmith entering made Augusta’s mouth dry. “Lord Henry here for you, ma’am,” the housekeeper said.
“Please show him in,” her mother said, clasping her hands delicately in front of her and adopting a smile that made Augusta raise her brow.
She tried to do the same but it felt odd on her lips, as though it should not be there, and she could feel that it did not reach her eyes. A pang of nerves fluttered hard in her breast, begging to escape or to be gulped down with fresh air. Her feet twitched at the sound of heavy, masculine footsteps.
It was no lie. Henry had certainly grown more handsome. He beamed at them both as though he had missed them greatly. Augusta remembered that smile and how it had made her feel like the most important woman on earth. Dressed in hessians and a finely cut jacket and waistcoat, the dark blue emphasized the tan color of his skin. He seemed older and wiser but the years and exotic countries had certainly done him many favors.
“Henry, how wonderful it is to see you!” her mother declared. “And looking so well too. Have you been returned long?”
“But a day,” he said.
“Goodness and we were your first visit? How kind you are.” She motioned to the chair. “Will you not sit?”
“I was hoping I might take Augusta for a short walk. We will not go far but I have a hankering to see the fields around here again. I have missed all the English scenery so very much.” His gaze landed on Augusta. “Although, there is some quite pleasant scenery in here too.”
Augusta glanced to her feet. She was not unused to Henry’s flattery but he had always had the ability to flatter anyone, whether they were deserving of it or not. However, this time it seemed genuine.
“A fine idea, especially with the lovely weather we are having,” her mother enthused. “Do go now before it all changes its mind and decides to shower upon us.”
“Mama,” Augusta protested as she practically shoved Augusta out of the door.
Once they were outside the house and Augusta had retrieved a bonnet, Augusta drew in a long gulp of fresh air but it did not dispel the coiling tension that was slowly wrapping itself around her heart and lungs. Henry motioned along the road that led away from her family home. “Shall we?”
She nodded and tightened the ribbons around her face, grateful for the slight protection the brim gave her from Henry.
“You are looking well indeed, Augusta.”
She kept her gaze ahead. “As do you, Henry.”
“The time apart has done you well.”
“Thank you.”
He paused, forcing her to face him. Although his hair had lightened and his skin was darker, she saw the old Henry still there. The one who could charm anyone, and make her laugh with his easy wit, and talk until she no longer felt shy. She understood now, why she had been willing to wait so long for him. He had always been a catch and still was.
“I understand if you are angry with me, Augusta.”
She opened her mouth and closed it. As wonderful as Henry was, he had never been one for introspection or apologies.
“I have treated you poorly and I will have to beg your forgiveness for that.”
Her heart panged as she recalled another person who wanted her forgiveness. Why they all thought it was so hard to gain from her, she did not know. She never considered she might have any power over anyone so why would she not grant it easily?
“Henry, you do not—”
He held up a hand. “I was immature and in an ill frame of mind. However, I am returned for good, and I should like to make good on my promise to you.”
She felt the breath trap in her lungs. How many times had she imagined him returning for her? Telling her that all was well and they would marry? There had been various scenarios, including him taking her into his arms and kissing her breathlessly or perhaps her flinging her arms around him and being so bold as to kiss him.
Her arms felt leaden and he made no approach. She was somewhat grateful for h
is caution. After all, she had been kissing his brother only days ago. She regretted he was being so pleasant and kind. It would make it a lot easier to feel no guilt over what she had done with Miles if he had no apologies to make.
“If you feel you have it in you to forgive me, I should like to set a date soon. We shall have to marry locally—there will be no big event—but I suspect you would prefer that.”
She smiled vaguely. Henry knew her to an extent—understood her shyness and dislike of attention. She should not be surprised by that. After all, they had spent many days together throughout their lives.
“I would prefer that,” she agreed.
“Excellent. Shall we walk some more?” he suggested. “I was not lying about wishing to see the lands around your house. They hold a great many good memories for me.”
“Please.”
They strolled along the road then followed the worn line that cut through the grass and would lead toward his family’s estate.
“I imagine you have seen some quite exotic landscapes on your adventures,” she commented.
“Indeed, though there is something about England’s gentle beauty that I missed.”
“You shall have to regale me of your travels.”
“I will. And you must promise to tell me all with which you’ve been occupied.”
Augusta swallowed. Her time had been filled with horses, embroidery, tiresome socials events, and...and, well, kissing Miles. Good lord, what a terrible person she was. Henry should never have abandoned her for so long but that did not justify her own behavior. She exhaled slowly.
“Henry, I—”
“I should like for us to start again, Augusta.” He paused by the brow of the slope that led down toward the Charlecote estate. From here, they could see the tips of the house, its elegant adornments peeking up over the land. She could not help wonder if Miles was home.
Was he thinking of her?
No, of course not. He likely wished to push her from his mind just as she did him. For him, it was probably easy enough.
She turned to Henry. “I...I fear I have not been as...as loyal a fiancée as I should have been.”
Henry’s lips curved. “Whatever you have done, Augusta, my sins are far worse. I should never have left you for so long. It is my hope that we can forget these years and go on as we intended. I think we are a good match, you and I. We have always had a good time together, have we not?”
Married to the Lord (The Wallflower Brides Book 2) Page 9