Page 41 of A Match of Misfortune

“It seems so.” He plopped down in the seat across from them, looking unusually sullen. “Rothsburg would not allow me to refuse. At the dock earlier, he mentioned pains of death and never forgiving me.” He lifted his hands. “So here I am, apparently not quite ready for my demise just yet.”

“Well, we are glad of it.” Adelaide looked at her. “Aren’t we, Cecily?”

She gave a stiff nod. “Of course we are.” Nash’s eyes moved across her features at an intentional pace, and Cecily shifted beneath the intensity of it. “Have you heard any news about your ship?” she asked, eager to call his attention elsewhere.

“Unfortunately, no.” He gave a hollow chuckle. “Unfortunate, indeed,” he muttered to himself. Adelaide sent her a sideways glance. “But that’s the last thing I care to discuss, so what else might we talk about?”

Adelaide glanced between the two of them with a curious expression. A slight smile touched her lips, but she said nothing, so Cecily searched her mind for a topic that would not provoke either of them. “Adelaide has nearly completed her filigree project,” Cecily offered, smiling at her sister.

Surprisingly, Nash appeared genuinely intrigued. “Is that so?”

Adelaide nodded. “I’m working on the last side of the box. It should be finished in the next day or two.”

“I’d love to see it.”

As though he’d meant at that moment, Adelaide gestured for Sarah, who sat on a chair near the wall, to join them. “Might you help me into my chair?”

“I can fetch it for you, miss.”

“I cannot remember exactly where I put it, so I shall come along,” she said, far too eagerly. Was she fighting back a smile? “Besides, the Markhams will wish to leave soon, so I might as well return to my chair.”

Sarah did not hesitate to do Adelaide’s bidding, but before she could pick her up, Nash stood. “Here. Allow me.”

Sarah glanced at Adelaide, who gave a nod of permission, and she moved to the side so Nash could take her place. Though Sarah was strong and able, Nash picked Adelaide up as if she were weightless.

With cautious movements, he brought her to her chair and carefully set her in it. “There you are.”

“Thank you.” Adelaide smiled up at him, then her gaze slid to Cecily, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Instantly, it became clear what her sister was about. Cecily shook her head, but it was too late. Sarah was already guiding Adelaide’s chair from the room. What was it about young ladies and their need to find romance where it was not? Cecily would certainly have a chat with her later.

Nash resumed his seat, appearing none the wiser.

In the ensuing quiet, Cecily traced her thumbs along one another in her lap, her gaze on the shelves of books to her right.

“How were your calls this morning?” Nash asked, breaking the silence.

“I did not go to the Rothsburgs’ today. Bridget wrote saying she needed to take the day to rest, which, considering her condition, was probably wise.” Cecily had also been grateful for a reprieve.

Nash held her gaze. “What condition is that?”

“Oh.” Cecily straightened in her seat and shook her head. “I assumed … never mind.”

“Come now. You can’t leave it there.”

She arched a brow. “She shared it with me in confidence.”

Nash leaned forward. “Then tell me in confidence.”

Cecily lowered her chin, pinning Nash with a look. “That is not how it works.” Though she did not doubt the Rothsburgs would care little if she told him. Mr. Markham and Mrs. Markham had also been informed, as had Adelaide. She guessed it was Nash’s business that had kept him from hearing the exciting news. “All I shall say is that nothing is amiss with Bridget.”

“But you said she …” Nash’s brow lowered, then understanding dawned on his features. “She is with child?”

Cecily tucked her lips inward and gave a small nod.

“I shall give Rothsburg a sound talking to for withholding such extraordinary news.” For the first time since entering the room, he smiled, and Cecily found she was glad for it. For the Markhams’ sake. Not that they had seen Nash often over the last several days, but each time they had, he’d looked more downtrodden than the day before.

“You mustn’t. It is not as though you have been around to have received it.” She had not meant for her comment to come across with as much accusation as it did. Honestly, she did not want to be insensitive to his plight, for she could not imagine the stress of waiting to hear of his ship, but surely every waking hour did not need to be spent at the docks.

Nash leaned into his chair, his gaze focused on her. “You seem cross at my absence. You had best be careful, or I might conclude that you’ve missed me.”