Mrs. Radcliffe hurried to Lord Miller. “I am so sorry this happened to you, Henry,” she said, speaking to him as if he were a child who had skinned his knee. “Let me get you a drink.”
Mr. Radcliffe glared at Nathaniel. “If you are willing to do something so horrendous to a friend of my daughter, what are you willing to do to her? Well, speak now, for I am quite angry, and you do not want to know what happens when I become irate!”
“But I…”
“He is not at fault,” Lord Miller said with a wince. “The fault was mine for not heeding his warning. I will leave now.” He turned to Nathaniel and gave him a deep bow. “If I have your permission to take my leave, that is.”
Rage filled Nathaniel as all eyes turned to him. They looked at him with accusation, all except Forbes. Surely they did not believe this man’s story! “I did nothing,” Nathaniel insisted. “The man is lying. You must believe me.”
Mrs. Radcliffe took Lord Miller by the arm and led him into the house. “Come, I will take a look at your wounds.”
“I have known Henry Miller for many years,” Mr. Radcliffe said. “Not once have I known him to lie. I am considering calling off this engagement. I cannot have my daughter marry a brute!”
Nathaniel turned to Harmony. “You believe me, do you not?”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “You told me that you had warned him to keep away from me, but I never considered you would go this far.”
“I swear to you I did nothing,” Nathaniel said with exasperation. “He is lying. You must believe me. I would never send men after any man, not like this.”
Although she nodded, Nathaniel knew she was not convinced. And how could he blame her? Here was a man willing to be beaten about the head and face in order to get what he wanted. How could Nathaniel compete against that? He was not a violent man, after all.
Then he glanced at Lord Miller. The man, who had waited at the door as the others entered the house, turned and gave him a grin that made Nathaniel’s skin crawl.
***
Nathaniel paced the floor in the study. He had sent Lydia to bring Harmony to him in one last attempt to convince her that Lord Miller was a madman.
Rather than going into town, the women fawned over the earl, and Nathaniel and Mr. Radcliffe shared in a drink, the latter berating the former for his behavior.
By the time Lord Miller left — Nathaniel was surprised the Radcliffes had not insisted the man be offered a room at Scarlett Hall! — Harmony and her parents went upstairs to rest, leaving Nathaniel to nurse his anger with brandy.
“What that man did was absolute madness,” he growled as he shot a glare at Forbes, who stood by the fireplace. “And to think the Radcliffes believed him!” He downed the rest of his drink and held out the glass. “Pour me another.”
Forbes hesitated, which only added fuel to Nathaniel’s rage.
“What? Do you wish to scold me on my drinking?” He snorted. “Everyone else has criticized me; you may as well, too.” He shook his head. He had known Forbes too long to speak to him in such a way. “Forgive me,” he said with a sigh. “My anger is not at you.”
“You are the baron, my lord,” Forbes replied, clearly unruffled. “You may speak to me any way you wish without apology. But might I make a suggestion?”
“Of course. I always value your wisdom.” What Nathaniel said was true, for the butler always lent an ear and oftentimes offered sage advice.
“When you speak to Miss Harmony, it would be best if you did so standing tall and not stumbling drunk. Perhaps you may have another drink in celebration after the two of you have spoken.”
Nathaniel chuckled and clasped Forbes on the shoulder. “Your wisdom has saved me many times. You have served my parents and siblings so well and I am honored you will now serve my new bride and me, as well.”
It struck Nathaniel as odd that the man did not smile, nor did he nod. Instead, he set the empty glass on the shelf beside the decanters and resumed his stance beside the fireplace.
The door opened and Harmony and Lydia entered the room. Her green dress complemented her amber hair, and never had Nathaniel thought her as beautiful as he did at that moment.
Forbes bowed his head. “I will see that Mrs. Newsome has begun preparations for dinner.”
Once Forbes was gone, Nathaniel approached Harmony. “I would like to discuss what occurred earlier.”
“May I speak first?” she asked.
For a moment, his heart froze with fear. Did she wish to call off the engagement? “Of course,” he replied, nearly choking on the words.
“What I witnessed today frightened me at first. I admit I was caught up in the moment and did not think clearly.” She heaved a heavy sigh. “I questioned whether or not you would do such a terrible thing to another man… No, it is worse because I doubted you, and for that, I am sorry.”
He reached up and wiped away the tear that trailed down her cheek. “You do not know how much your words mean to me,” he replied as he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. “I swear to you; any inquiry you make of me, I will always be truthful. You are my fiancée, and soon you will be my wife, and our marriage will be perfect in every way because it will be built on a foundation of truthfulness.”
“I believe the same,” she replied with a small smile.
Nathaniel glanced toward Lydia, who in her infinite wisdom was peering out the window. He leaned in and kissed Harmony, whose lips were sweeter than honey. “Shall we have a drink in celebration?”
“And what are we celebrating?” she asked.
“Us,” he replied. “We will celebrate us.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The sun was just peeking over the horizon, yet Eleanor had risen an hour earlier. Her sleep had been disturbed by the pain that coursed through her body, and although the elixir Doctor Dodgerston had given her relieved some of that pain, it did little for the worry in her heart.
Sighing, she replaced the quill in its holder and read over her newest journal entry.
For many years she had kept account of her life and that of her children during their time at Scarlett Hall. The entries depicted joy or heartache depending on the events of the day, but more importantly, they kept hidden the secrets she dared not share with anyone.
Soon, a new baroness would come to take her place, and she could not have been happier with the woman Nathaniel had chosen. Harmony was a strong woman, stronger than she realized, and her kindness would only enhance her position all the more.
As she considered these things, she also thought of the children Nathaniel and Harmony would bring into the world. Children she would never meet. The realization caused her breath to catch in her throat, and she tried in vain to push the thoughts away. She loved her children and grandchildren so very much, and she had fulfilled her duty of ascertaining that they found the happiness they deserved.
Sitting back in the chair, she closed her eyes and allowed the memories to take hold. Was it not just yesterday that she had first arrived at Scarlett Hall and stared in awe at what was to be her new home?
She recalled meeting Lady Rachel Prescott and the instant friendship that blossomed between them, followed by the devastation of the loss of a true friend.
Then there was her beloved lady’s maid, Anna, who gave Eleanor the greatest gift any woman could give another, a gift that filled a hole after the tragic loss of her unborn child.
Years later, Eleanor was given another gift, one she never expected. Yet it was one that completed her in so many ways.
“My lady?”
Eleanor opened her eyes to find Forbes standing in the doorway. “Yes?”
“There is fresh fruit for breakfast this morning,” he said. “Shall I prepare you a plate and bring it to you?”
“No, thank you. I am not hungry.” She rose from the chair and walked over to the window to show him she was far better than she felt. There was no need to worry him unnecessarily. “I spoke to Nathaniel at length last night.
He has already sent word to the church in Cambridge as well as to Reverend Creassey so the banns can be read beginning Sunday next. He has assured me the wedding is still moving forward despite the ugliness that occurred yesterday. Once school finishes, he and Harmony will marry. After the ceremony, we will leave for Murkside Manor in Cornwall. If I am well enough to travel, of course.”
“I have no doubt you will be,” Forbes said. He smiled as he came to stand beside her. “You have strength unlike any I have ever known.”
Eleanor looked up into his kind blue eyes and returned his smile. “In many regards, I cannot argue with you. But in this matter, I cannot agree. I am dying, and I fear I will not have the strength to make such a long journey when the time comes.”
“I will not listen to such nonsense,” Forbes said in a harsh whisper. “You cannot predict the future, and to do so is beneath you.”
Eleanor reached up and placed a hand on his cheek. “You have shown me great support over the years. Your words have given me strength when mine failed me, and you have given me clarity when my thoughts were muddled.” She could not stop a tear from escaping her eye. “But we both know what is to happen to me.”
“But…No, we will not speak of it now,” he said, his voice strained. “We must focus on Nathaniel. Let our days be filled with joy for what is soon to take place.”
She nodded and lifted herself onto her toes, but Forbes shook his head. “No, we should not.”
Placing a finger on his lips, she smiled. “For far too long we have held back.” Her lips met his, and peace entered her weary soul. It was only a short kiss, but it expressed what they felt for one another better than words could have.
When she lowered herself once more, she allowed him to hold her for several moments before placing a hand on his chest and turning to look out the window once more.
Then her heart thudded in her chest, for three sets of eyes stared up at her in shock.
What had she done?
***
Every morning since arriving at Scarlett Hall, Harmony’s parents required her to walk with them through the gardens as soon as the sun rose. It was not so they could enjoy the early morning sun nor to discuss her future with Nathaniel. Rather it was so they could berate her in the many ways she had failed them and the ways she could improve.
“Your father is correct, you know,” her mother said as they stood beside a fence that separated the gardens from a lovely field of green. “You ate far too quickly last night. It was embarrassing, to say the least! You are not a farm animal!”
Harmony replied as she usually did, although her eating habits resembled a bird rather than the gilt she seemed to be accused of being. “Yes, Mother. I will do better next time.”
“You will, indeed,” her father snapped. “And I would also recommend that you allow the men to speak. No man wants to hear the ramblings of a woman while he is eating.”
“But Nathaniel asked my opinion,” Harmony said. “Am I to ignore him when he asks me a question?”
Her mother gave her a warning glare, and her father replied, “You are to tell the man you will think on the matter. He was only being polite. Do you honestly believe he was expecting you to respond?” He shook his head in wonderment, and her mother echoed his frustration.
Harmony found the best way to deal with her parents was to simply nod. Every time she argued, they became harsher, so it was not worth the trouble to disagree, even if she was correct and they were wrong.
They had been at Scarlett Hall for nearly a fortnight, and in two days they would be returning to Cambridge. Nathaniel was to accompany them so he could finish out the term at Eaton College. Although it was wrong to wish to be away from her parents, she found herself counting the days until she would return to Rumsbury for good.
Her father frowned. “When we return home, I believe we should invite Henry over for dinner. I cannot ask Lord Lambert to apologize, but you will do so in his place.”
Harmony gaped at her father. “Apologize? For what reason should I apologize?”
With a click of his tongue, her father said, “You saw what Lord Lambert did to the man! I may not possess as much as your fiancé, but I do have several lucrative arrangements with Henry. I cannot risk losing them.”
“But it is obvious he lied about Nathaniel,” Harmony argued. “I do not know how he was beaten, but I highly doubt Nathaniel had anything to do with it.”
“This is not a matter for discussion,” her father growled. “You will do as I say. Now, come. I imagine breakfast is ready.”
“But had Nathaniel not asked Lord Miller to not come near me again?”
Her father spun about, his face blotched with red. “You dare question me?”
Harmony shook her head. “No, Father, but…”
“Do you believe that boy controls me?”
Harmony shook her head again.
“It is I who decides whom you shall marry. Now, enough of this rebellion.” He turned and continued down the path that led back to the house.
With her head hanging low, Harmony followed behind her parents. Would they never see that Lord Miller was manipulating them into getting what he wanted?
As they came to the end of the garden path, her parents came to a sudden stop. Harmony glanced up and found them staring up at the house as if they had seen some great horror. Following their gaze, she saw the figure of Lady Lambert and her butler speaking to one another all too intimately.
To her shock, and by the gasps of her parents, their shock as well, the baroness reached up and kissed the man!
As Forbes held Lady Lambert close, Harmony’s father began to sputter. “I have never seen anything so disgusting!” he said. “I knew there was something wrong with this family. That woman is involved with her butler of all people — and who knows how many other men!” He turned to Harmony. “I knew she was a poor example for you. I will not have a woman such as she as your mother-in-law! Who knows what kind of ideas she will put into year head!”
“No, Father!” Harmony cried. “Please, you cannot!”
“What about my country estate?” her mother pleaded. “If Harmony does not marry Lord Lambert, I will lose that!”
“I do not care,” her father said. “The boy hired men to attack Henry and his mother is a harlot. Come, we shall collect our things and leave at once. This engagement is off!”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nathaniel had allowed himself the luxury of sleeping in later than usual this morning. The stress of trying to appease the Radcliffes had taken its toll on him, and he had lain awake late into the night staring up at the ceiling. Although he was exhausted, knowing that in the end Harmony would be his wife made it all well worth the trouble.
Once he was dressed, he glanced out the window and was pleased to see Harmony walking with her parents in the gardens. As always, his fiancée’s beauty gave him pause.
He had never considered he would have such a splendid woman as his wife, but he would be far wealthier once she was his. Even if he had to give her father every estate and all the ships he owned, he would, for she was worth every farthing.
Today, he would summon the courage to finally confess his love for her. Why he had waited so long was a mystery, but it was about time that he expressed his true feelings. He wished to tell her exactly what he loved about her — her singing, her smile, her laughter, everything about her was perfect in every way.
His smile dropped when Mr. Radcliffe’s voice boomed in anger. What had upset the man this time? Then Harmony cried out, and Nathaniel hurried downstairs to see what had happened. Were they chastising her once again? If so, it was time Nathaniel put a stop to it. Harmony was no longer a child, and although they were not yet married, he was tired of the way her parents treated her.
By the time he reached the bottom of the stairs, Mr. Radcliffe’s voice filled the hallway. Something was terribly wrong, for the man was far angrier than Nathaniel had ever witnessed.
Lydia came hurrying
down the stairs. “What has happened?” she asked.
“I do not know,” Nathaniel replied. “Wait here.”
His mother came out of the library just as the Radcliffes reached that doorway.
“We are leaving right away,” Mr. Radcliffe said with a sneer that was far less courteous than what should be shown to a baroness. “I will not have my daughter remain in such a pernicious house a moment longer.”
“If we can please speak for just a moment,” his mother replied, “I believe I can alleviate your worries.”
“What is going on here?” Nathaniel demanded. “Why do you wish to leave?”
Mr. Radcliffe rounded on him. “The engagement is off and the courtship is ended. We are returning home, and I would suggest you stay away from my daughter.”
“I beg your pardon?” Nathaniel said. “Why? Surely we can discuss any grievances you have.”
The man ignored him. “Lydia, pack Harmony’s things and have another servant send for our carriage. Marjorie, have our things packed and Lydia will have one of the footmen bring it down for us. I will remain here.”
Nathaniel glanced at his mother, whose eyes were filled with sorrow. “Mr. Radcliffe, I believe you are being unreasonable.”
“Unreasonable?” the man shouted. “I will not allow my daughter to be influenced by a woman of loose morals! Your mother is a disgrace to the aristocracy, and I will not have Harmony exposed to the likes of her!”
Rage filled Nathaniel. “Do not speak of my mother that way!” he said, grasping Mr. Radcliffe by his coat. “You will refrain from making such declarations.”
“Now I see Henry was right!” Harmony’s father said as he glanced down. “You are a brute.”
Shocked, Nathaniel released Mr. Radcliffe. It was not as if he were beating the man or something worse! He was simply expressing his anger.
“And to think I thought so highly of you.” Mr. Radcliffe shook his head. “I will wait outside where I will be safer.”
As Harmony went to walk past him, Nathaniel grasped her by the arm. “What happened? Why is your father so angry?”
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