Page 99 of A Match of Misfortune

“Any man who is so set on assuring the interest of his investors is a man I want to work with. So, in the chance you require it, I will loan you the money for a fair interest rate and under two further conditions.”

“What are those?”

“First, that if you eventually start a shipping company, you might find room on your ships for some of my animal specimens coming from India. Free of charge.”

“Of course,” Nash said, hoping his next stipulation would also be so feasible.

“And you must accept my invitation and join Blackstone’s.”

Nash smiled, his heart lifting in gratitude. “I was planning to join, regardless.”

“Capital.” Lord Blackstone clapped his hands together. “You will be quite the addition to such an exceptional group of rejects!”

Nash’s lips parted at Lord Blackstone’s offhanded comment before his dismay was replaced with hilarity. Not only at what he had called them, but that he apparently collected misfits as readily as he collected animals. Though if Lord Blackstone gave the gentlemen even a portion of the care which he lavished on his animals, Nash would count it a good thing.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Cecily lay in bed, thinking about all that had happened between her and Nash the last few days. About her shifting feelings toward him. Despite reason and practicality, all she wanted was to spend more time with him. To share another kiss. To take advantage of the few weeks they still had together before she must return to Penrose Court.

It was irrational, and yet it was the only thing that made sense to her.

A light rapping had her quieting her thoughts. Had she imagined it? With a second round of taps, she tossed the covers from her and cautiously walked toward the window where the sound originated. Drawing back the curtain slightly, she gasped when she saw a face staring back at her in the darkness.

“Nash!” She placed a hand over her chest, attempting to keep her pounding heart in place, then quickly unlocked the window and lifted it upward. The cold night air rushed into the room, swirling around her bare arms and ankles. “What are you doing here?” she whispered.

“Apparently, my parents had the window locks in the dining room changed.”

“Could you not knock on the servants’ door?”

“I suppose I could have, but painstakingly climbing the portico in the dark of night with an injured hand and nearly falling off twice on my way to your window seemed the more logical solution.”

Cecily smiled, unable to hide her delight.

He gave an overdone shiver. “You are going to let me in, aren’t you?”

“What will you tell your mother in the morning as to how you got inside?”

“Hmmm … I see the dilemma, but as I’m not certain I can get down, I fear we must accept the consequences of our actions.”

“Your actions.”

Nash smiled. “We can debate that once I’m standing on more solid ground.”

Cecily’s insides were a jumbled ball of nerves as she stepped back, allowing Nash to clamber haphazardly through the small open window. “Shhhh. You are so loud,” Cecily whispered, closing it behind him.

“That window is far smaller than I remember it being. I’m lucky I fit through at all. Particularly when I can hardly feel my fingers.”

Cecily reached out and grasped his icy hands, as if she needed proof and did not simply wish to touch him. “Oh heavens, you are freezing. Here.” She led him toward the fireplace, taking cautious steps in the darkness. “It hasn’t been long since the fire was banked. It should still be warm.”

“I would prefer to warm myself another way.”

Cecily whipped back toward him. “Nash!”

“What? I typically just rub my hands together, like this.” He made a grand show of the gesture. “Unless you can offer another suggestion?”

There was not enough moonlight seeping in through the window to illuminate the mischief that was certainly dancing in his eyes, but she could hear the laughter brimming in his voice. “How did your meeting go with Mr. Steele?” she asked, desperate for a change of subject. She knew she should not be with Nash in a dark room alone, but if she kept their conversation focused, she could justify a few more minutes with him.

Nash’s exhale was heavy, and he crouched down, placing his hands above the banked fire. “It was … enlightening.” He paused briefly. “He is determined to sabotage my efforts to start a shipping company.”