Page 80 of A Match of Misfortune

Cecily stilled. Did Nash mean to return Cecily’s kindness in accompanying him to speak with Lady Darlington by making her suffer her own uncomfortable situation?

Lord Harlow hesitated, as though he too was attempting to decipher what Nash was about.

“Join us,” Nash said again, gesturing to the seat across from Lady Victoria. “With my current luck, I do not doubt it will be but a quick game.”

“Very well,” he said, hesitantly returning to his chair.

“You have met your partner, Lady Victoria, I presume?” Nash asked.

Lord Harlow offered her a warm smile. “Only briefly. At Lord and Lady Darlington’s ball. Though it is good to see you again, my lady.”

Under Lord Harlow’s focused attention, Lady Victoria’s cheeks pinked beautifully, and she gave a coy smile. “I had hoped we might find another opportunity to speak.”

Despite his bandaged hand, Nash shuffled the cards, his gaze downward, but not so entirely that Cecily missed his self-satisfied smile. Instantly, Cecily realized what he was attempting. He didn’t mean to further his acquaintance with Lady Victoria, nor distress Cecily by inviting Lord Harlow to join them. He was playing the role of matchmaker. And by the looks of it, his efforts very well could pay off.

It was a wise move on his part. The vote at White’s had not yet taken place, and if Lord Harlow credited Nash with bringing him and Lady Victoria together, he might not cast a black ball for him. But if it was true, it meant that the lady who had caught Nash’s fancy was someone else entirely. For why would he give such an opportunity to a man who was his boyhood rival if he truly had his heart set upon Lady Victoria?

Cecily’s brow furrowed, and she quickly searched the faces in the room again, attempting to determine who the mysterious young lady could be, but then Nash lifted his gaze and her eyes caught on his. One corner of his mouth quirked upward in an endearing half-smile that sent Cecily’s insides into a frenzied jumble. He did not look away, and it was as though he was attempting to convey something to her. She swallowed, refusing to fan the flame of hope within her. She couldn’t possibly be the lady. Could she be?

What in heaven’s name was wrong with her? Must she battle this same uncertainty every time Nash so much as looked in her direction? Even if he had feelings for her, which she was still not convinced of, she would not marry. Not anyone. Particularly not a man who would soon return to India. And more particularly, not Nash Markham!

She released a quick breath, resolved. Again.

Cecily pulled the gloves from her hands, setting them across her lap, and reached out a hand toward Nash. “Perhaps I should deal the cards.” She had no delusions that they had any chance at winning, what with Nash’s perceived state of luck, but she might as well try to make their defeat less embarrassing.

With an amused smile, Nash held out the deck of cards, but the moment their skin touched at the exchange, a shot of electricity moved up Cecily’s arm. She risked a cautious glance at Nash, who tossed her a knowing smile, as though he too had felt it.

And just like that, her resolve faltered. Yet again.

Chapter Twenty-Four

It had rained an entire day and the next as well, but on the third morning, when the maid opened Cecily’s curtains, there was not a cloud in the sky. Mrs. Markham had already sent word to the Rothsburgs, and the family hurried to ready.

“What are you most excited to see?” Cecily asked Jamison, who sat on the settee next to her while they waited for the Rothsburgs to arrive.

Jamison gave a wide smile. “The elephant and rhinoceros.”

“I believe those are two of the animals I am most looking forward to seeing as well,” Adelaide said. “Oh, and the hippopotamus.”

“What of the ostrich?” Nash said, entering the room behind them. “I hear it is nearly eleven feet tall.”

Jamison’s eyes widened, and he shifted to more fully face Nash as he approached. “Do they have any monkeys?”

“They do, indeed.”

“I wish Father could come with us,” Jamison said. “He loves monkeys.”

Mrs. Markham gave a small sigh. “He should have liked to come, but he has business to attend to at the bank that could not be put off.”

Cecily glanced at Mrs. Markham, certain there’d been a touch of worry in her voice, but Mrs. Markham stood abruptly and started toward Mrs. Ingram, who stood in the doorway holding a newspaper in her hand. Cecily watched as the housekeeper whispered something in Mrs. Markham’s ear, then pointed at the paper.

Mrs. Markham frowned.

“What is it?” Nash asked.

His mother’s gaze lifted. “It seems the menagerie is closed.” Her gaze roved over the article again. “Apparently, the cages are undergoing improvements due to a few recent incidents with the animals. It will not reopen for a fortnight.”

Nash shook his head, clearly frustrated at the turn of events. “What are the odds?”