“Henry? What’s wrong?”
Henry squeezed his eyes closed. “She told me to go away. Told me I couldn’t possibly understand what was good for her, and…”
“Why were you telling her what was good for her?”
“Iwasn’t, it was just… I can’t explain. I daresay I made a mistake. I have no idea how to tell her that I care for her. I don’t think she’d like to hear it now. The truth is – and you mustn’t repeat it, Alex – her father is dangerously ill. Worse, even. She’d just found out.”
There were a few minutes of silence.
“So, she lashed out at you after discovering that her father was seriously ill?” Alexander repeated slowly. “And you didn’t consider that perhaps she was speaking thoughtlessly? Saying things she didn’t mean? At the very least, you ought to find out. That was hardly the time for a confession.”
“I knowthat, you fool. I just… the truth is, I am in love with her. I thought that falling in love would be easy, that all the problems would smooth themselves out. I’m good at solving problems, you see. It’s what I do. I like it. I’m – not to sound vain – I’mclever, Alex. But I feel entirely out of my depth here.”
Bit by bit, the whole story came out. All of it, including Charles’ illness and Jonathan and Louisa’s involvement. He knew that telling Alexander was probably a bad idea, butsomebodyhad to hear it. The words spilled out like an overflowing cup, and much as he hated to admit it, Henry feltbetteronce the tale was done.
“Dear me,” Alexander said at long last. “That’s a rather difficult situation. Not as difficult as you think though.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that perhaps Miss Fairfax has feelings for you. I’ve thought it myself, more than once.”
“She feels as though I’m taking her position.”
“Well, and you’ve proved to her that you aren’t, haven’t you? You’ve spent too long pushing down your emotions, Henry. You aren’t used to facing them head on.”
Henry considered this. “What should I do, then?”
“Speak to her again. Be frank. Offer your support for her father. Put your feelings on the table, and make it clear that you’ll accept any answer, at any time. Don’t rush her, don’t push her. Behonest and be patient. Think about what you’re going to say, and be ready for a disappointing answer, if it comes. Be a gentleman.”
There was a little silence.
“That’s excellent advice, Alex.”
“Yes, I know.”
“Are you sure you’re drunk?”
“Quite sure. On that note, would you mind stopping the carriage? I think I’m going to be sick.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Charles’ room was shrouded in darkness. Like they were in mourning already.
The curtains were drawn, and the fire banked low. Low, but still filling the room with stifling heat. Eleanor guessed that her father was cold. His bed was piled with blankets, and only his head poked out.
When had he gotten so old?
“Papa?” Eleanor whispered.
He reached out a trembling hand. “Come here, my darling girl. Louisa has already been in.”
A flash of resentment surged through her. She swallowed it down. Louisa was her sister, Jonathan her brother-in-law. Resenting them would do her no good.
She moved over to Charles’ bedside, pulling up a stool set aside for that purpose, and took her father’s hand.
His skin was dry, and too hot.
“You know it all, then,” Charles rasped. “I’m sorry I hid it from you.”
