Page 14 of A Match of Misfortune

“I recommend you see about getting new window locks,” Nash said. “Particularly in the dining room. The window nearest the hearth will unlatch with the correct maneuvering.”

Mrs. Markham sent her husband a nervous glance. “Oh, heavens. That’s not safe.”

“I will look into having the locks replaced.” Mr. Markham patted his son’s back appreciatively. “Thank you for letting us know. About the locks and the slept-in bed. The maids will certainly be curious as to who slept there.”

At Mr. Markham’s words, Mrs. Markham glanced from Nash to Cecily, then back to Nash again, her brow wrinkling ever so slightly. “How was it you knew to go to the room across from the nursery?”

Cecily’s stomach dropped. The implied question was clear: why had Nash not gone to his own room? The room where Cecily had been sleeping?

She thought to confess the whole of it right then, but she couldn’t get herself to speak the words. Not with Mr. Markham and Adelaide present. And not when Mrs. Markham would wish to know the entirety of the story—a story Cecily had no desire to recount. Instead, she set her sights on the floor in front of her, readying for Nash’s admission.

“The door was locked,” Nash said matter-of-factly, pulling Cecily’s attention to him again. It wasn’t even a lie. She had locked the door just after his nighttime visit.

“Of course.” Mrs. Markham released an audible sigh, apparently recalling she had encountered a locked door herself when she’d gone to visit Cecily that morning. “I suppose it was fortunate that before bed last night, I warned Cecily of a certain nighttime visitor.” She sent a flick of her chin toward Jamison, who was once again on the floor playing with his toys.

“That was fortunate,” Mr. Markham agreed.

“Indeed.” Nash glanced back toward Cecily. “I can only imagine how utterly relieved Miss Bradshaw is that she heeded your counsel. That could have been quite the scandal.”

Any gratitude Cecily had felt at Nash’s withholding what had happened dissipated instantly.

Mrs. Markham’s eyebrows raised. “It certainly wouldn’t have been ideal.”

“Now that we’ve cleared that up,” Mr. Markham said, moving to where his wife sat cradling Theo. He placed a kiss on her cheek. “We really should be on our way.”

She reached up and touched his jaw tenderly. “Have a good day, my love.”

Cecily couldn’t help but smile at the mutual affection, but when her gaze shifted from them, she found Nash watching her with a look of amusement. She glanced away, shifting her attention to Adelaide, who also watched the scene with contentment.

“Do not stay away long,” Mrs. Markham said to Nash. “This visit was far too brief, and there’s much we wish to hear about.”

“You could not keep me away if you wanted to. Besides,” the volume of his voice increased slightly, “I have brought gifts from India that I am eager to present.”

Jamison’s gaze shot to Nash. “Have you brought a gift for me?”

“Of course.”

“When shall I get it?”

“It is in my trunks, which are currently still on the ship. But I’ll bring it soon.”

Jamison hopped up from his place and hurried toward Nash, wrapping his arms around him. “Thank you!”

Mrs. Markham’s smile was full of gratitude. “That was very kind of you.”

“They are mainly just trinkets.”

“Regardless, it is much appreciated.”

Nash mussed Jamison’s hair again and sent him back to his line of soldiers. “I will not delay Father any longer. I shall see you all soon.”

Mr. Markham gave a farewell nod, and Nash, with one last glance over his shoulder that landed briefly on Cecily, disappeared into the corridor behind his father.

With his removal, Cecily breathed more easily.

Mrs. Markham laughed and shook her head. “And here I’d thought he’d returned as we were taking breakfast. That boy.”

Cecily found she was desperate for a change of subject. “Are those new curtains?”