Dangerous in Diamonds - Madeline Hunter [103]
Coward. She should let this be the parting intimacy, the way he thought. She should accept that this dalliance was over. She could not, however, try as she might. Even this physical retreat would hurt more than she ever expected now, and, it seemed, as they watched each other across those pillows, other retreats were happening too, within him.
“It is not that far,” he said, turning his gaze to the ceiling. “You will have to come here, though, unless you want me claiming my property rights while those women are in your house.”
He left then to go to his chambers to wash and dress for the visit to Audrianna and Sebastian.
Soon a maid arrived with water he had sent up to her. She prepared too, while sadness weighed on her composure.
She might come back once or twice. Soon, however, she would no longer. Even if he did not tire of her, she guessed she would soon only see those other two Castlefords, no matter how deeply she gazed into his eyes. Eventually, she suspected, she would become boring and tedious and more trouble than she was worth.
Audrianna appeared ready to give birth before the night was out. Large with child, she positioned herself for as much comfort as the chaise longue afforded her. Daphne did not miss the spark in her green eyes that said this visit had distracted her most thoroughly from the awkwardness of her body, however.
Castleford and Summerhays discussed the events up in Manchester with a good many muttered curses and a good deal of shared concern. The newspapers contained lurid stories of the disaster, and already it had been dubbed “Peterloo” by voices critical of the government’s role. A writer for the Times had been arrested during the riot, and no one expected his story to exonerate the officials.
“At least a hundred dead,” Summerhays said. “Perhaps more soon, from the injuries. This was badly done.”
“I doubt you will hear many of the peers agree with you. The only fair hearing will be in the Commons,” Castleford said. “Let us meet tomorrow and speak of it, and have Hawkeswell come too and a few others who are not insane. We do not want to bore the ladies with it now, I am sure.”
Summerhays looked amused at that. “Indeed not. I am fortunate to have you here to remind me. I know how you much prefer drawing room chatter to discussions of great events.”
“I merely sought to avoid ignoring your lovely wife, who was kind enough to receive us despite her condition.”
“Oh, I would not have missed this for all the world,” Audrianna said. She smiled brightly at Castleford, then slyly at Daphne. “I know how rare it is for you to make any social calls, Your Grace. I am honored.” She looked at Daphne again and absently felt at her chestnut curls while she tried to appear casual instead of curious as could be.
“I was very fortunate that His Grace traveled north too,” Daphne tried.
“Very fortunate,” Audrianna said.
“His escort out of the region was very reassuring. There was no way to know what one would find on the roads.”
“You have my gratitude, Castleford, for protecting my dear cousin.”
Daphne feared Audrianna would giggle soon, if she were not distracted from her all too obvious fascination with her two guests being here at the same time, after having made a journey together.
“Lord Sebastian, how does your brother fare? Will we see him this evening?” Daphne asked, hoping to occupy Audrianna with other things.
“He has gone down to the country to see our mother. It may be some days until he returns.”
“He is doing very well, however,” Audrianna said. “He is walking again. I thought Sebastian would weep when he saw that.”
“I was overjoyed, of course, but I did not almost weep, darling.” Sebastian gave her an indulgent but scolding look.
“That German physician worked wonders, I am sure, but I think his body healed because his soul did first,” Audrianna said. “And also his heart.”
Daphne knew that Sebastian’s brother, the Marquess of Wittonbury, had left England under a cloud of scandal. His return would probably stir that up again. She hoped not until after Audrianna was brought to bed.