Page 28 of A Match of Misfortune

“Thank you, Mother. I have a cab outside waiting with my trunks.”

“Caldwell.” She glanced behind her where the butler waited for instructions. “Please see that Nash’s trunks are unloaded and brought up to the room across from the day nursery.” She paused, looking at Nash with an apologetic look. “I hope that is suitable, considering the Bradshaw sisters are already settled on the first floor.”

“That is perfectly suitable,” Nash said. “I’ve recently discovered the room across from the nursery has an exceptionally comfortable bed.” His eyes flicked toward Cecily, and the corners of his mouth twitched. Frustrating man.

The butler bowed, motioned for a footman to assist, pulled an umbrella from the stand near the entrance, and disappeared through the front door.

Mrs. Markham’s gaze moved across Nash again. “Here, let me take your coat and we can sit by the fire. I shall have some tea brought in.”

Nash shrugged off his coat, and Cecily diverted her gaze to make certain he would not later accuse her of ogling him or some such nonsense.

“Where are the boys?” he asked.

“Upstairs taking their supper with Nurse, but if you’d like, you may go see them.”

“I don’t want to interrupt their eating, but once they are finished and my trunks are accessible, I do have those gifts I promised to bring.”

Mrs. Markham beamed as though it hadn’t taken him five days to fulfill his promise. “Jamison will be thrilled to hear that. He’s been talking about the gift incessantly. Though after our recent visit to the park and meeting a gentleman with a small marmoset by the name of Pip, I did have to convince him you had not brought him a pet monkey.” She paused. “You did not bring Jamison a monkey, did you?”

Nash grinned. “I was tempted, but they wouldn’t allow me to have one on the ship.”

“Thank heavens. As cute as Pip was, he seemed to be quite a bit of trouble.” Mrs. Markham gave a small laugh, gesturing toward the corridor. “Shall we go sit?”

Cecily resisted glancing at Nash. “Unfortunately, I cannot. The Rothsburgs will be here within the hour to retrieve me, so I had best go upstairs and dress. But perhaps Adelaide might wish to join you?”

“Of course. I shall go speak with her.”

“And where is it you are going this evening?” Nash asked, stepping in next to Cecily as they followed Mrs. Markham.

“The theater.”

Nash gave an amused shake of his head. “How strange it is to see Rothsburg in the role of a doting husband. Before Lady Bridget, the theater was the last place you’d ever find that man.”

“Oh, but it is not at Bridget’s request he is going. Not directly, anyway. Lord Harlow has invited us.”

Nash stopped, halting Cecily with him. “You are to attend the theater with Featherbottom?”

“It was Bridget who accepted the invitation.”

“And I suppose, had it been up to you, you would have declined it?”

She would far prefer spending the evening here—not with Nash, clearly, but with the Markhams and her sister—but she would not give him the opportunity of misinterpreting her meaning. “I did not say that.”

He pursed his lips slightly in consideration of her. “Well, if you wish to strap yourself to a man like Featherbottom, that is your prerogative.”

Though she was not inclined to do such a thing, his admonition only served as an encouragement for Cecily. “I suppose it is.”

He folded his arms across his chest. “So you admit you are interested in the clodpole?”

The sound of wheels on the hardwood floor brought Cecily’s attention over her shoulder as Mrs. Markham appeared with Adelaide and Sarah.

“Adelaide was hoping she might help you ready,” Mrs. Markham said.

“I could certainly use her expert opinion.” Cecily smiled at her sister, and though she did not look at Nash, her next comment was for him. “As I wish to look my very best this evening.”

Cecily could feel Nash’s eyes narrowing on her, which made her oddly giddy inside, but before he could reply, she gave a slight dip of her head in his direction and stepped away. Let Nash think what he would about her intentions toward Lord Harlow. The man deserved to be rankled. Did he not take every opportunity to do the same to her? Besides, it was his mention of her dowry that had Lord Harlow interested in pursuing her.

Chapter Ten