Page 104 of A Match of Misfortune

“What is to happen to Mr. Steele?” Mrs. Markham asked, ending the silence.

“He is to be held accountable. He was apprehended at the East India Docks, taken off a ship that was about to set sail. We suspect he heard news of the Dawn of India’s arrival, something he was clearly not expecting, and meant to flee. The constable said if Nash wants to offer further evidence for the case, he’d share it with the magistrate. Though with the severity of the allegations, I assume Mr. Steele’s case will go to the Old Bailey for trial.”

“All this time,” Mrs. Markham said, looking as bewildered as Cecily, “it was not bad luck at the root of Nash’s sufferings and poor reputation. It was Mr. Steele.”

Bridget’s lips parted, and she covered her mouth with her hand. “At the McMillans’ card party, Lady Victoria mentioned that the night of the Darlingtons’ ball, she was certain Mr. Markham had tripped on Lord Chatting’s cane. That she had seen the whole thing. At the time, I thought nothing about it, since even if it were so, it seemed likely an accident. But now, considering that dreadful man’s role in things, I wonder if he had purposefully tripped Mr. Markham. If Mr. Steele had put him up to it.”

Bridget’s comment triggered Cecily’s own memory of Lord Chatting. Of something Lord Harlow had shared with her during his last visit. “Lord Harlow mentioned overhearing Lord Chatting speak of the reason he’d proposed Nash’s name for White’s. He had told the other gentlemen he’d only done so because he was unduly pressured. I’d assumed it was a lie and he was falsely accusing Nash, but I wonder if it was Mr. Steele who had been the one pressuring him in order to make Nash’s misfortunes and poor reputation a matter of concern for the ton.”

“Nothing would surprise me at this point.” Mr. Markham shook his head. “Thankfully, it seems as though his luck has been restored.”

Cheerful glances passed around their small group, but an uncomfortable niggling inside Cecily seemed to dampen her smile. If Nash had gotten his luck back, where did that leave the two of them?

Chapter Thirty-Two

Cecily and Bridget had resumed morning visits, continuing their pursuit to help restore Nash’s reputation. Lady Darlington and Lady McMillan had proven themselves valuable allies in spreading word of how Nash had been wronged, and it wasn’t long before invitations began trickling in again, slowly but steadily.

“Do you think Mr. Markham will return from Dover by tomorrow?” Bridget asked as they took tea in the Markham’s drawing room one afternoon. “I have just had a letter from Lady Jersey herself saying Mr. Markham’s voucher has been reinstated.”

“I’m not certain,” Cecily said, glancing down at her teacup. Cecily had hardly seen Nash since news had arrived of his ship. Once it had come in, he had spent most of his time at the docks, helping his agent to unload the ship and then reload it with Mr. Crauford’s cargo. Once the ship had set sail again, Cecily had hoped she’d have a chance to speak with him, but after one evening at home where they hadn’t a moment alone together, he’d left for Dover the next morning regarding a matter about his inheritance. Or perhaps it was to collect evidence in the case against Mr. Steele. Cecily didn’t even know.

Bridget took a bite of blueberry scone, momentarily closing her eyes as she chewed in a clear appreciation of it, then returned the rest to her plate. “Perhaps now that things are a little more settled for Nash, the two of you might set a wedding date.”

Mrs. Markham’s gaze shifted to her. She had been watching Cecily more intently for the last several days, and Cecily was certain it had to do with her more solemn mood.

“There is still much we must figure out,” Cecily said.

“But even if you do not intend to go with him, you will marry before he leaves for India, will you not?”

Cecily’s throat grew dry. “Now that Nash is to form a shipping company, my dowry would be at risk by creditors,” she said, borrowing the reason Nash had given her as to why they could not marry. And it was as true now as it had been before. “So I’m afraid that is not an option. We would have to wait until his return.”

“How long is he to be gone?” Adelaide asked.

“Hopefully only three or four years.” Cecily hated how her voice faltered despite her attempt at a cheerier tone, especially when Mrs. Markham’s gaze was so soundly set upon her.

“Three or four years?” Adelaide’s mouth hung open. “How will you manage his absence? You must go with him!”

Emotion welled inside her, but she refused to let it out. “I shall manage it one day at a time.”

“You love him, don’t you?” Mrs. Markham asked, forcing Cecily’s attention from her sister.

Cecily met her appraising gaze. Her mouth would not form any words, but it did not matter. Mrs. Markham clearly saw the answer she was seeking in her eyes.

Pure delight lit Mrs. Markham’s face, and she covered her heart with both hands. “Oh, Cecily. What happy news!”

Adelaide and Bridget shared a confused look.

Cecily tried to smile. She tried to assuage the swelling sensation within her, but instead, a sob escaped. Then another. She shot to her feet. “I’m sorry. I’ll return in a moment.”

Then, without a backwards glance, she hurried from the room.

CECILY MADE her way into the library and closed the door behind her, tears blurring her vision and escaping down her cheeks. Nothing was going at all as she had hoped. She was supposed to have come to London and returned home as equally unattached as when she had arrived. Instead, she was temporarily betrothed to a man she had unintentionally fallen in love with. A man who would break her heart when he returned to India. What a mess she had made of everything.

A light knock sounded on the door.

“One moment,” she said, drawing in a shaky breath and swiping the tears still falling down her cheeks.

The door creaked open. “Cecily, it is me.” Mrs. Markham’s voice drifted through the crack. “Might I come in?”