Page 16 of A Match of Misfortune

“On second thought, I’m certain my parents will understand if I reschedule.”

Lord Chatting’s red cheeks rounded. “Splendid. I shall come fetch you at eight.”

“I look forward to it.”

Nash had just bid Lord Chatting farewell when a carriage with a familiar crest came to a stop in front of his house. He grinned, waiting for the footman to open the door and for his cousin to appear, then he tossed his arms out wide. “Rothsburg!”

Rothsburg returned Nash’s hearty embrace, then he pulled back and placed his hands on Nash’s arms. “I figured I’d better drop in, given that you’ve been home for four days now and yet we keep missing one another.”

“I’m glad you did. I have nowhere to be for another hour at least.”

“Splendid.” He appraised Nash for a moment. “What were they feeding you in India? You are nearly twice the girth you were when you left and not nearly as odd looking.”

Nash laughed. Despite the six years that had passed since he’d last seen his cousin, Rothsburg looked nearly unchanged. He was still a handsome fellow with brown, curly hair and friendly eyes. Though he supposed his face was not quite as full as it had been while in his youth. “And what of you? I heard you’ve gone off and gotten yourself married.”

“Speaking of,” Rothsburg returned to the carriage door, and a petite hand grasped his. “I’d like you to meet the new Lady Rothsburg, Lady Bridget.”

A young, pretty thing with amber hair and small, dainty features alighted from the carriage. She dipped her chin gracefully. “Mr. Markham, what a pleasure it is to make your acquaintance at last.”

Nash stepped forward and gave a bow. “The pleasure is surely mine, my lady. Though, if you don’t mind my asking, how did someone as lovely as you settle for a man like Rothsburg here?”

Her laugh had a tinkling sound to it that made her all the more endearing. “It is truly odd how love works.” She sent a teasing smile toward her husband. “I hardly had a say in it.”

He ushered the couple inside. “If that is the case, I should hope love might act so graciously on my behalf.”

The Rothsburgs stepped through the door in front of Nash, but Rothsburg glanced over his shoulder. “Wait a moment. Does that mean the infamous Nash Markham is in the market for a wife?”

Despite the fact that his mentor, Mr. Crauford, urged Nash to consider marrying while he was in England, matrimony had not actually been a part of his plan. Particularly not entering the Marriage Mart. But once his mother had mentioned Cecily was in London to find a husband, he’d declared his own ambition of seeking a wife solely, and somewhat stupidly, to see Cecily’s reaction. A reaction that he’d unfortunately missed because of his mother’s excitement. So for Mother, and perhaps also to appease Mr. Crauford, Nash might as well attempt to find a woman willing to return to India with him. Besides, he would not complain about having a companion to share those occasional lonely evenings with while he was so far away from home.

Nash closed the door behind them and gave Rothsburg a sound pat on the back, his attention returning to Bridget. “Your husband’s always been a wretched example for me.”

“I’m the wretched example?” Rothsburg pointed at Nash, his attention shifting to his wife. “He might be a year my junior, but he nearly got me kicked out of Eton. Twice.”

“I also convinced them to let you stay. Twice.”

Rothsburg shook his head. “I hadn’t even been a part of your second prank.”

“It wasn’t a prank. I was proving a point.”

Lady Bridget glanced between the cousins with her brows lifted. “You cannot simply leave it there.”

“His point was that cows can walk down stairs,” Rothsburg clarified.

“It was not my fault Lucian Featherbottom was so adamant to the contrary. He required evidence. I simply gave it to him.”

Lady Bridget’s lips parted. “You brought a cow into Eton?”

“No, only into the Dame’s House where Featherbottom was boarding.”

“On the second floor,” Rothsburg added.

“It was a small cow.”

Lady Bridget lifted a hand to her mouth to cover her amused shock. “What happened to the poor creature?”

Nash could not help but smile at the memory. “After far too much of a fuss by onlookers and some gentle coaxing, it eventually made its way down the stairs. Precisely as I had said it would. Cows don’t prefer to go down, but that does not mean they cannot when they have no other choice. It’s an unpleasant thing to watch with how awkwardly they manage it, but they can do it.”

Lady Bridget laughed, shaking her head. “Oh heavens. I am glad I insisted I come along today, or who knows what tomfoolery you two might have gotten up to after so many years apart.”