Page 5 of A Match of Misfortune

Mrs. Markham lowered herself in front of Adelaide and took hold of her hands. “I have instructed the servants to prepare a bath for you. I thought it might be a welcome respite after spending all day in the carriage.”

Adelaide smiled. “That sounds delightful.”

A footman stood, awaiting orders, and Mr. Markham turned to his wife. “Have you decided which rooms they are to be in, my love?”

“Yes. As always, Adelaide will be in the Blue Room. The trundle bed for Sarah is in the dressing room already.” She straightened and faced Cecily. “But since your father is not here, I thought to put you in Nash’s old room. Is that acceptable?”

Cecily’s chest constricted at the mere thought of being in Nash’s room. It hardly mattered that he’d not been inside it for over six years. It was the one room she avoided while staying with the Markhams. “Oh, I …” She cleared her throat, hoping the heat coursing through her would not settle in her cheeks. “I am more than happy to sleep in my usual room across from the nursery.”

Mrs. Markham tilted her head, reaching a hand out to Cecily. “Of course you would be. You are always so accommodating, but it makes little sense to leave Nash’s room empty. It is far larger, and you will be nearer to your sister should she require you.”

How could she refuse the offer? Mrs. Markham had mentioned on previous visits how she wished they could better accommodate Cecily instead of relegating her to a smaller room on the second floor. But Cecily had never taken it as a slight, for she well knew her sister required the larger space for her chair and a place for Sarah to sleep. It also helped to have one less flight of stairs for her to be carried up. “That seems like the most sensible plan, I suppose.” The knots in her stomach suggested otherwise.

Mrs. Markham gave a decisive nod. “Then it is settled.”

“Bring Miss Bradshaw’s and Miss Adelaide’s trunks to the rooms Mrs. Markham indicated,” Mr. Markham said to the servant before glancing at his wife. “While we wait for the trunks to be brought in, I might have a quick glance at the correspondence on my desk.”

“Of course. Do not rush on our account. I have tea in the drawing room whenever you are finished.”

“Thank you, dear.” Mrs. Markham watched her husband with a tender look as he headed toward the stairs to the first floor. When he disappeared from sight, her gaze returned to the Bradshaw sisters and she gestured to the drawing room. “Shall we?”

Cecily carefully steered Adelaide’s chair forward, ensuring that the small back wheel did not catch on the rug as she maneuvered it toward the sitting area.

“I am so pleased you are both here,” Mrs. Markham took the chair nearest Adelaide. “And Jamison has not stopped speaking of your visit since he woke this morning.”

Cecily’s heart warmed at the thought. “Have the boys already gone to bed?”

“I am afraid so.” Mrs. Markham’s lips turned downward at the corners. “I thought to keep them up, but I did not wish for our first full day together to be tainted by their fits of exhaustion. In the morning, though, the moment you are both ready and willing, they will be eager and waiting to greet you.”

A loud thud from outside the room caused them all to glance toward the door. Mrs. Markham stood. “I shall be back momentarily. Please help yourselves to tea.”

Cecily did not hesitate to pour her sister a cup. When she’d handed Adelaide her tea, she knelt down in front of her. “How are you truly feeling?”

Her sister’s green eyes fell on the rigid set of her legs beneath her thick blanket. “I am in some pain, though I’m certain the bath will be a great help to me.”

“I packed the ointment Dr. Thatcher had the apothecary make up. As well as all the tinctures.”

“Thank you. I shall let Sarah know if I require any.” Adelaide took a sip of tea and set the cup on the saucer again. “It is strange being here without Papa, is it not?”

Cecily poured her own tea, then moved onto the settee, leaving Mrs. Markham’s previous chair unoccupied. “It is. But I think he did well to remain at Penrose Court with all he must see to at present, especially considering how long we are to be away.”

Adelaide nodded her agreement, then her gaze settled on the family portrait above the mantel. The painting had been completed not long after the wedding, before Nash left for India. The artist had managed the likeness well, and though Nash did not wear his usual smirk, the glint of mischief in his eyes was very much present.

Looking at it made Cecily’s insides squirm.

“When is Nash to come home?” Adelaide asked. “Or does he mean to stay in India indefinitely?”

Her sister’s question, phrased in such a way, caused a spear of guilt to pierce Cecily’s conscience. Surely Nash would not have stayed away this long because of one solitary comment she’d made. If anything, their previous interactions would suggest that her parting words would prove a catalyst for his returning sooner with the sole hope of vexing her. Though perhaps he’d stayed away knowing she would partially bear the guilt of his absence. That seemed like something Nash would do—let her shoulder the blame because she was a feeling, thoughtful person. To spite him, she would not do it. At least, she would try her hardest to push aside any such thoughts of responsibility. “I’m not certain even the Markhams know.”

“As a matter of fact, we have just received word that he is to come home.” Mrs. Markham entered the room behind them. “The letter arrived four days past. I would have written with the news, but I wasn’t sure if it would arrive before your departure, and I wanted to tell you both in person.”

Cecily’s lips instinctively parted.

“Nash is coming home?” Adelaide clasped her hands in front of her chest. “How exciting!”

“Truly.” Cecily forced a similar expression onto her face as the one Adelaide was wearing. She knew how much the Markhams missed Nash, so for their sake, and for the sake of Jamison and Theo, who had not even met their older brother, she would be happy for Nash’s return. Though she desperately hoped his arrival would not overlap with their visit. “When is it you expect him?”

Mrs. Markham resumed her seat, her smile making Cecily nervous that the answer would not be to her liking. “In truth, we are not entirely sure. His last letter did not state any specifics regarding his travels, only that he was still uncertain how soon they would have the ship loaded and ready to sail. He said it would likely be several weeks before their departure, but that he’d write to us before he embarks.”