Page 80 of Ruined by the Wrong Earl

‘That’s because most items were stored in trunks in the attic. I never had space to unpack them in our home. Mother would have disapproved.’

‘And here?’ Sara asked as she opened her wardrobe. She preferred to help with the clothes.

Nora packed her favorite treatise, Lovell Reeve’s Conchologia Iconica into the bottom of a second trunk. Her thoughts turned as she recalled the day her husband had surprised her with her own space for science. ‘Ralston gave me my own workroom.’

Candace touched the microscope. ‘He also gave you funds to purchase your own microscope.’

‘Yes, he did.’ Nora rubbed her eyes. She was exhausted from the turn of events. Her stress had increased each passing moment, each day and evening, that her husband did not return home. She’d spent last night tossing and turning in bed. At one point, she’d reached out to the pillow beside her for him. Her body ached for his touch and her heart ached for his love. She acknowledged that he might not feel the same for her. Still, had their time together meant so little to him? As for herself, she’d cherish it.

‘Are you certain about leaving?’ Candace asked softly.

She lowered her eyes to hide her hurt. ‘Ralston made the decision when he didn’t return home.’

Candace came close to touch her shoulder. ‘Oh, Nora. I hate to see you suffer. In my experience, men are selfish and lack loyalty.’

‘Travelling with scientists is what you’ve always wanted. You said it was your dream,’ Sara said.

Nora rubbed her temple. ‘Yes, it was. I mean it is.’

Both sisters looked at her.

Nora cracked a smile. ‘It’s only a year. I’ll return to you both with tales of Italy.’

‘You will get to see the Colosseum!’ Candace said.

‘And spend time in the seaside town of Sorento to find more seashells!’ Sara added.

Nora’s hopes buoyed. She valued the support of her sisters. ‘And when I return, I will bring home Italian silk cloth for you, Sara. And art supplies for you, Candace. I’ll also have much to tell you both of Italy.’

She turned to Candace. ‘Keep drawing, Candace. I spotted the political cartoon you had randomly sketched of Prinny spooning gold coins into his mouth and it made me laugh.’ She shot her a wink. ‘You sold it! Keep drawing—anonymously, of course!’ She was proud of her sister and how she’d decided to use her talent.

She turned to Sara. ‘Keep designing French lingerie and dresses, Sara. I have no doubt that one day your designs will be all the rage in the Bond Street shops.’

The three sisters hugged, tears welling in all their eyes.

Chapter Twenty-Four

‘Have you drunk the entire bottle of whisky?’ Adler burst into the room, startling Ralston.

Ralston grimaced. ‘Why? Do you want to join me? I’ll have Stevens fetch another and a glass. He came with this rented townhouse and will fetch anything I need. Convenient what money can buy, isn’t it?’ He’d been living in a rented dwelling on St James’s Street for a little over a week. He knew he would not stay here forever.

Adler came forward and picked up the empty bottle, then placed it on a sideboard. ‘Christ, Ralston. You look like horse shit.’

He bristled at the insult and glared at his friend. ‘What’s it to you? Besides, I’ve never felt better.’

Adler’s lips twisted in a cynical grimace. ‘I find that hard to believe. You should celebrate the victory of your bill passing.’

He should feel victorious. He’d worked on that bill tirelessly for over a year. He’d carefully drafted the law, made alterations to get more to agree to it, had met with lords to cultivate allies and practiced speech after speech in his study. He should be thrilled. He’d even imagined celebrating with his wife.

He felt nothing.

He should find the emptiness unnerving. He didn’t care.

Adler watched him. ‘You should also know you missed another House session.’

Had he? The thought of returning to the House lacked its normal thrill. A sourness centered in the pit of his stomach. ‘There will be others.’

‘You’ve never missed a session. Weber’s friends are still licking their wounds from your political win and will no doubt gather to propose a counter bill of their own.’