“Of course,” she said, setting about pouring the tea for everyone.
When they were all enjoying tea and biscuits, Carlton knocked and entered the room. “Miss Bent, this letter has arrived for you,” he said, holding out the silver salver.
Emma took the letter and broke the seal, and soon, a grin split her pretty face. “Oh, how wonderful. Lady Williams has invited me to tea tomorrow.”
“Lady Williams?” Noah asked.
“Yes, she lives nearby. Do you know Lady Williams?” Emma asked him.
“Yes. We met recently at your father’s house party. Please give her my best regards when you see her.”
“I will,” Miss Bent said.
That definitely lifted Noah’s spirits. Perhaps Miss Bent could find out if Lady Williams was still agreeable to having him call on her.
The rest of the evening passed quite pleasantly. Miss Bent entertained them playing some lively tunes on the pianoforte before the ladies retired, leaving the gentlemen to enjoy a glass of brandy before they also retired for the evening.
A disturbance in the hallway led to Noah’s valet, Searle, bursting into the room. “Lord Fleming, my sincerest apologies for this untimely intrusion, but I must speak to Mr. Hughes on a most urgent matter.”
Noah was shocked to see the man so distressed. His usual unflappable valet looked positively distraught. What could be so urgent that Searle would travel all the way from London to Guildford? He set his glass of brandy down and stood. “Searle, whatever is the matter?”
“Mr. Hughes, perhaps we should talk in private,” Searle said, trying to catch his breath.
Noah turned to address his host. “Please excuse me, Fleming,” he said before following his valet into the hallway. “What are you doing here, Searle?”
“I have most distressing news, sir. A letter arrived in London yesterday.”
“A letter? From whom?”
“From Lord Harrison. The messenger who delivered it said the letter was most urgent and that you must get it as soon as possible. I couldn’t imagine what could be so urgent, so I took the liberty of opening it. The news was indeed dire, sir. Your cousin has come down with a putrid fever.”
“Oh no! That’s dreadful. How is he?”
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Hughes, to bring you such tragic news, but your cousin succumbed to the fever,” Searle said, holding out the letter to him.
Noah stood stock-still, astonished at the turn of events. He had just been thinking of his uncle and cousin and had been planning to visit them in a few days.
Aiden was dead?
How was that possible?
He quickly scanned the letter.
While he was reading, Miles walked out into the hallway. “Noah, what’s the matter?”
Noah turned to his friend, feeling the tears prick behind his eyes. “Aiden is dead.”
“What? What happened?” Miles said, rushing to his friend’s side.
“A fever took him. I must go to my uncle immediately,” Noah said.
“Sir, I took the liberty of packing for the journey already. Everything is in the carriage, waiting for you.”
“Searle, take the carriage and go to Oxfordshire. It’ll be faster if I ride ahead. It won’t take me as long on Midnight.”
“Noah, I’m so sorry. This is the most distressing news. Shall I accompany you?” Miles asked.
“No, that’s not necessary, but thank you for the offer.”
