Page 76 of A Match of Misfortune

“But I suppose, though I can understand your concern for your investors, and it is noble of you to care as much as you do, it does not seem fair that you should shoulder the blame for something wholly out of your control, nor do more than any other merchant who oversees such a venture. Surely the others knew the risk when they made the investment. Besides, it seems rather premature to accept such a restrictive offer when you are not even certain your ship has wrecked. What if it comes into port soon and you’ve already signed your future away? And to a man whose information you don’t seem convinced is trustworthy, no less.”

Her words pierced through Nash’s indecision. Though he’d not allowed the thought to fully take root, there was a small piece of him that worried Johnathan was using the news of the wrecked Indiaman for his own benefit. To get Nash to agree to being a partner. Not only that, but if the Dawn of India made port, Nash would have agreed to receiving only twenty percent on his portion—a quick turnaround of profits, to be sure. But even if his ship had wrecked, if Nash bound himself to Johnathan, he would certainly sign his future away. Along with his hopes. It was a price he could not pay no matter the cost. Resolved and relieved by the clearness of mind he suddenly felt, he smiled. “You have convinced me.”

Her gaze shot to him. “That was not my intention. I …”

He chuckled. “I know, but I should like somewhere to place the blame should I require it.”

Her lips parted, but her eyes gleamed with humor. “Why does that not surprise me? When must you give Mr. Steele your answer?”

“By five.”

“Today?”

Nash nodded. “In fact, I should probably be on my way.”

She tied off the last piece of linen and released his hand, yet she did not move. “Are you to return in time for the card party?”

“I would not miss it.”

She quirked a disbelieving brow.

“The only reason I did not join you at the park was because, having told my father of Johnathan’s offer, he advised I speak with Lord Blackstone to see if he had any information regarding my ship. It could not be delayed. But I regret not having been there.”

She placed her hands behind her back and tilted her face upward. “Good, for I had to speak to Lord Harlow on my own.”

Nash’s jaw clenched at the thought of the two of them together. He had said he would keep Cecily from that conversation, and he had not. Was that why she had been vexed at him earlier? The timing of it seemed odd, but he supposed it made more sense than anything else. “Did he offer for you?”

“I did not give him a chance.”

Relief washed over Nash, and he gave a nod of understanding. “How did he take the news of our betrothal?”

Cecily took a small step back, but it felt significant. “As I imagined he would. But I do not doubt he will recover from his disappointment soon enough. We have only known one another a short time.”

Nash’s gaze moved across her handsome features, and rather shockingly, he experienced a tinge of sympathy for Featherbottom. Perhaps because he knew what it was like to have Cecily just out of reach. “I think you underestimate your hold on a man.”

Cecily laughed as if Nash had spoken in jest. “Do you know why I have had so many suitors calling on me?”

Nash could list a myriad of reasons, but he suspected it would not matter.

“Someone overheard you mention the amount of my dowry,” she said when Nash did not answer. “So, any hold I have on a man is seemingly a financial one.”

Nash stared at her. “I’m sorry … I did not mean⁠—”

“All’s well that ends well, and once we have ended our betrothal, I shall forever be done with the Marriage Mart.” Her smile appeared genuine. “We should probably get back to the others.”

She stepped to the side to pass by Nash, but he took hold of her hand, pausing her. “You never told me why you will not marry.”

She did not pull her hand from his grasp. “I suppose you have a theory on that also?”

Nash knew this was her way of skirting around his question, but how could he refuse the bait? “Perhaps.”

Cecily cocked a playful brow. “Well?”

He could not have stopped his teasing smile if he’d tried. “Could it possibly have something to do with a certain gentleman—one you once had very strong feelings for—living in a foreign land?”

She did not shy away from him as he expected, but instead, she leaned in closer, making Nash’s heart lift in glorious anticipation. “Vanity always was a weakness of yours,” she whispered.

Without another word, she withdrew her hand and sauntered out the door as if she were completely unaffected by him. Would nothing ever again go as he wanted?