“Perhaps some of his suffering was the mistaken belief that he was responsible for letting his men down,” Richard said.
Wolf nodded. “Perhaps, that’s part of it.”
“What can we do?” George asked.
“I honestly don’t know. Perhaps try to draw him out about his war experiences a little at a time. It certainly can’t hurt, and if he’s willing to talk, I would suggest just listening.”
“We can certainly try,” Richard said, nodding.
“Jon will never agree to see a doctor, so I think all we can do is get him to a safe place if we notice his panic rising. Also, once the chaos of the wedding is over, I believe he’ll be able to relax again, and perhaps he’ll talk more about his trauma. But again, all of this is merely conjecture based on what I’ve witnessed in other soldiers who suffer this malady,” Wiltshire said.
“Your words probably meant more to him than you know. You were the one to save him the day he was injured,” Richard said.
“For reasons unknown to me, Lady Harriet was the one to find him outside today and help him upstairs. Do you know if Jon has expressed any interest in her?” Wiltshire asked.
Richard shook his head.
“Wolf, perhaps there is something there. You didn’t see Lady Harriet at the Assembly Room a few weeks ago, the first time Jon ventured out into Bath society,” George said.
“What?”
George explained to both Wiltshire and Richard Harriet’s actions the night Jon entered the Assembly Room and how she’d boldly walked out into the center of the room to dance with him while the entire room looked on.
“Whew, I told you she was a little tiger!” Richard exclaimed.
“I suspect Jon is the reason Lady Harriet rides out early every morning,” George added.
“That’s a strong possibility, but I thought he’d vowed never to marry,” Richard replied.
“Says the man who said the same thing a few scant months ago,” George said with a chuckle.
“Well, I never said never. Perhaps Lady Harriet is exactly what Jon needs. She’s fearless and doesn’t seem the least bit bothered by his scar or his reputation as the Beast of Bath,” Richard said.
“Perhaps, but she’s young yet. I’m not sure a relationship with a battle-scarred soldier is the best thing for her,” Wiltshire said.
“You may be surprised, Wolf. She’s more mature than most of the young misses out in Society these days,” George said. “I’ve seen her grow in confidence and maturity since she’s been in Bath. Jon even came to another Assembly Room dance to see her, so he could very well be falling in love with her, as she is with him. Maybe they’re each exactly what the other needs. I cannot see Lady Harriet being happy with a young man who couldn’t match her fire or zest for life.”
“George, when Mercy and I leave, would you continue to watch the situation with Lady Harriet and Jon? I don’t want her to be hurt if Jon cannot commit to her,” Wiltshire said.
George nodded. “Of course. I’ve talked to her about him, and she’s determined that he’s the only man she’ll marry. I definitely wouldn’t want her to be hurt and her spirit crushed if Jon rejects her.”
“Well, I believe it’s time we return to the celebration before the whole wedding party comes looking for us,” Wolf said, placing a hand on each of his fellow soldiers’ shoulders. “Thank you for your help with this, my friends. Let’s hope Lady Harriet and Jon can find a way to commit to each other if that’s what they both truly desire.”
Richard and George nodded before all three strolled back into the ballroom.
Harriet watched closely asthe three former soldiers returned to the wedding breakfast celebration. Had Wiltshire told his fellow soldiers about the earl’s affliction? She wasn’t sure Hartley would like too many people knowing how he suffered, but these were his friends and had the same war experiences. If anyone could understand what the earl was going through, it would be them. He’d seemed a trifle less agitated when she sang to him earlier. Did it soothe him? She had no idea, but she hoped it did. She still longed to be with him and enjoy more of his company, and of course, more of those sizzling kisses, despite his affliction.
The celebration wound down to the end, and if Seaford noticed that Hartley was no longer in attendance, he didn’t seek him out. When he and his lovely bride left for the dower house, the rest of the guests departed as well.
“What a lovely celebration,” Marian said on the carriage ride back to Dalling Manor.
“It was indeed. Mr. and Mrs. Seaford looked so happy together,” Eleanor said.
Harriet was glad that neither her grandmother nor her mother brought up the earl’s absence from the wedding breakfast. She hoped they thought he’d merely had enough frivolity for one day.
It was another three days before she saw Hartley again. She’d never stopped thinking about him, especially the way he made her feel. She felt so alive when she was in his company, and she craved more.
More time.
