“Promise me, you’ll stay,” Zach insisted, his hands a comforting weight upon Nathanial’s shoulders as he looked him in the eyes. “Promise me, you’ll not return to Boston just yet.”
Reading the concern in his brother’s voice, Nathanial nodded. “Very well. I promise.”
A relieved smile came to Zach’s face and he took a step back, his chest rising and falling with a deep breath. “I want you to be happy, and I truly believe that a fresh start would do you good.” A deep grin claimed his features as Becca entered the drawing room. “It’s done wonders for me.”
His wife’s green eyes glowed like emeralds as she took Zach’s outstretched hand and came to stand by his side. “Has he agreed?” she asked, then looked at Nathanial. “Are you staying?”
Clearing his throat, Nathanial nodded. “I am.” The words sounded hollow as he fought the urge to drop his gaze to the emerald ring upon his sister-in-law’s finger. It always drew his attention no matter how hard he tried to keep it fixed elsewhere. It felt like a voice deep within, whispering taunting words and drawing forth memories that twisted the knife still embedded in his heart in a most painful way. Would he never be able to rid himself of this anger? This bitterness? Or was this simply the man he was now?
“When are you leaving?” Nathanial asked in order to distract himself.
Becca smiled, utter joy dancing in her luminous eyes. “In a matter of days.” Her hands gripped her husband’s arm in eagerness. “I cannot wait.”
Zach laughed. “Neither can I.”
Nathanial felt his stomach roll, wishing he had foregone breakfast that morning. “What do you suggest I do in your absence?” he asked before the next wave of nausea could hit him. “Is there anything I can take care of? Any remodeling to oversee? Any plans to−?”
“Nothing of the kind,” Zach replied with a scoff. “You’re not here to work, Brother. You’re here to enjoy yourself.”
“Enjoy myself?” Nathanial echoed, no longer certain he knew what these words meant.
His brother laughed upon seeing a somewhat confused expression claim Nathanial’s features. “You’ve forgotten how to enjoy yourself?” He shook his head in disapproval, then exchanged one of those annoyingly meaningful glances with his wife. “I thought you might have and so I spoke to Lord Markham and asked him to show you around London.” Nathanial opened his mouth to object, but his brother pushed on. “He is a good friend of mine, someone I trust completely. He may go about certain things in a rather unusual way, but he’s always been there when I needed him.”
At his brother’s words of praise, Nathanial tried to force an appreciative smile upon his face. Inside, however, he felt like putting his fist through Lord Markham’s face. Never in his life had Nathanial felt this kind of anger that now so often sought him out. Still, it was the knowledge that he was easily replaced in every capacity, as a fiancé, a friend, a brother.
Perhaps it was not the world that was wrong. Perhaps it was truly simply him.
A week had passed since the Pembroke’s wedding celebration, and Charlaine wondered how best to seek out Mr. Caswell. Or rather Nathanial. After all, friends should call each other by their given names, should they not?
“I believe I’ve done so already,” Charlaine mumbled to herself as she made to climb the stairs one evening, but stopped when she spotted Pierce, dressed to go out, heading downstairs toward her. “Where are you going?” He blinked, clearly lost in thought, before his eyes settled on hers. “You look quite dashing.”
Returning her smile, he held up two black masks. “A masquerade.”
Excitement snaked up and down Charlaine’s back, and she wished she could join him. “That sounds exciting! Are you going alone?” Perhaps he had plans to meet up with Caroline. It would be about time! As far as Charlaine knew, they had not spoken to each other since the day of the wedding celebration. What on earth could possibly be keeping them apart? Unfortunately, Pierce was rather tight-lipped about it.
Stepping down into the hall, Pierce turned toward the front door. “No, Pembroke asked me to take along his brother.”
Charlaine almost tripped over her feet. Nathanial at a masquerade? Granted, she had only met him once and spoken no more than a few words with the man, but still… “Does he know where you’re headed?” she asked carefully, doubting it very much.
Pierce chuckled as his footman, Jacob, helped him into his coat. “He does not.” Then he frowned, the look in his eyes slightly suspicious as he watched her. “Are you better acquainted with the man than I thought you were?”
“I spoke to him once as you well know since you were watching us.” Her brows rose in challenge.
Pierce rolled his eyes. “Guilty!” Then he strode toward the door.
Albert moved to open it. “Have a nice evening, my lord.”
Nodding, Pierce then paused in the open door, his gaze serious as he looked at Albert. “Thank you, and you know where to find me if anything important arises. Send for me immediately if you hear from the Bow Street Runners.” A dark cloud hung above his head as he spoke, and Charlaine hoped that all his inquiries would soon bear fruit and reveal further information about the night Daphne’s parents had been murdered.
Albert nodded solemnly. “Of course, my lord.”
Pushing away the dark thoughts, Pierce turned to her and placed a gentle peck on her forehead. It reminded her of Peter. “Have a good night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Smiling at him, Charlaine nodded. “You as well.” Without delay, her thoughts moved to the possibilities this night presented, and she could barely wait for Pierce to leave so she could decide how to proceed.
Unfortunately, her eagerness had to have sparked in her eyes for Pierce turned back to look at her, a frown drawing down his brows in something resembling suspicion. He had come to know her well. “Is something wrong?”
Charlaine shrugged with as little expression upon her face as she could. “Not that I know of.”
Pierce sighed. “Very well.” He clearly didn’t believe her. But he didn’t have the time to interrogate her further. Thank heavens for small mercies! “Have a good night.” Then he turned and headed down the steps to the carriage waiting by the curb.
As Albert closed the door, Charlaine turned to him. “Albert, we need to talk.”
There was no time to waste!