Page 42 of A Match of Misfortune

Cecily clasped her hands in her lap, attempting to remain unaffected by his teasing. “Why does it not surprise me you would make such an absurd conclusion so wholly unrelated to the truth?”

“What other conclusions have I made that were unfounded?”

She cursed herself for having hinted at the very last thing she wished for him to recall. Hopefully, he would not decipher her meaning.

“Are you referencing our moments together”—he glanced around before his smiling eyes returned to hers—“in this very room all those years ago?”

Cecily’s entire body heated at the memory. “I suppose that would be a fitting example.”

He chuckled, leaning forward. “Would it be? For I’m quite certain my conclusions, particularly the last one I shared, were not the least bit unfounded.”

Color now saturated Cecily’s cheeks, but before she could say anything in her defense, the sound of Adelaide’s chair right outside halted her.

“Sorry that took so long,” Adelaide said as Sarah pushed her toward them, the filigreed box in her lap. Her gaze fell to Nash, and she smiled when she realized his mood seemed to have improved. It did not matter that it had been accomplished at Cecily’s expense. “We first went to the drawing room looking for it until I remembered I had shown it to Mr. Markham earlier in the dining room.”

Nash leaned forward, appraising the box now patterned with an intricate design. “That is incredible,” he said, his amazement genuine. “Each of those is a piece of rolled paper?”

Adelaide nodded and extended it toward him. “Here, you can hold it.”

He shook his head. “I can see it well enough.”

“It is sturdier than it looks,” Adelaide said, persisting.

Nash’s gaze slid to Cecily, who watched the exchange with curious amusement. Why did he suddenly seem so skittish? Did he think he was going to break it? Slowly, he lifted his hands, as though she were going to hand him the world’s most fragile treasure and not a small wooden box. She set it on his opened palms, but he didn’t move. Well, he moved, but it was his head that shifted around the stationary box in his hands.

Cecily covered her smile with her hand.

“It is beautiful,” he said, glancing again at Adelaide, clearly wanting her to take it back, and he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief when she did. “Your talent is truly remarkable.”

“Thank you.” Adelaide’s expression was so full of pride at his praise, Cecily’s heart swelled. It seemed not all Nash’s compliments were overdone and insincere.

“Are you two ready?” Mrs. Markham asked, entering the library. “Oh, and Nash. You are here. Are you to come with us also?”

Nash stood. “If you are not opposed.”

“Of course not.” She beamed at him. “We should be glad to have you along.”

“The carriage is out front,” Mr. Markham said, stepping through the door to join his wife. His gaze fell on Nash, and he smiled. “Son.”

Nash dipped his head. “Father.”

“Well, should we be on our way?” Mr. Markham moved behind Adelaide’s chair before addressing Sarah. “We shall likely return around eleven, so until then, take the evening for yourself.”

Sarah bobbed a curtsy. “Thank you, sir.”

Adelaide handed Sarah her filigree box, then sent her doting maid a wave of farewell as Mr. Markham steered her toward the open door. It was evident by the flush in her sister’s cheeks and her constant smile that she was eager to join them. The thought made Cecily grateful to Bridget for her kindness in having included her in the invitation.

“You look very handsome this evening,” Mrs. Markham said as Nash approached her. Cecily glanced away, lest he realized she agreed.

“Thank you, Mother.” He gestured for her to walk through the door before him and allowed Cecily to as well.

Mrs. Markham took hold of Cecily’s hand, glancing over at her. “And you look as enchanting as ever.”

A loud boom caused the two of them to startle and spin on their heels. Nash clutched his shoulder, steadying the still swinging door.

“There is a door there,” Mr. Markham said, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

“I realize that now.” Nash gave a wry smile. “Though I appreciate your heartfelt concern.”