“Miles received a letter—”
“Miles?”
“I mean Mr. Walker, of course. In any event, he received news from Mr. Hughes.”
“Oh? How is his uncle?”
“I’m afraid the news isn’t good. His uncle has also perished.”
Bett’s hand flew to her mouth, and tears pricked the back of her eyes. “Oh, no! How tragic. How is Mr. Hughes faring?”
“That I don’t know. Mr. Walker left to join him at Harrison Manor as soon as he received the letter.”
“Come, let’s sit for a moment. This news is most distressing,” Bett said, leading Emma to the sofa. Before they had a chance to continue their conversation in earnest, a maid knocked and entered the parlor carrying a tea tray. “My lady, shall I pour for you?”
Bett shook her head. “No, Colleen. I’ll take care of it. You may go.”
Colleen curtseyed and exited the room.
Bett poured out the tea and handed Emma a cup. Her mind was in a whirlwind about the news. Noah must be utterly devastated. He’d talked fondly about his uncle and cousin and mentioned he usually spent several weeks a year at Harrison Manor. His love for his family was evident whenever he talked about them.
“Bett, you know what this means, don’t you?” Emma asked.
“What? It’s tragic news, but beyond that, I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Mr. Hughes is no longer a mister but the new Viscount Harrison. He was next in line to the title after his cousin. With the cousin gone and now his uncle, Mr. Hughes inherits the title.”
This new information gave Bett pause. Her first thought was that Peter would have no objection to a viscount courting her, not that Peter had any say in who she married.
Wait. Oh no!
Now that Noah was a member of the aristocracy, thetonwould welcome the new viscount with open arms. Matchmaking Mamas would be throwing their daughters into his path. With so many young women vying for his attention, would Noah evenwant to court her? She was four and twenty and no innocent. How could she compete with the young women making their debuts? While she and Noah talked about many things during the house party, the subject of virginal debutantes never came up. Would he prefer a doe-eyed miss to a widow?
“Bett, you have a faraway look in your eyes.”
“Emma, please forgive me. My mind has gone to the unlimited possibilities open to Mr. Hughes…I mean, Lord Harrison will now have. Thetonwill be thrilled to have a young and handsome viscount in their midst. Why would he want a baron’s widow?”
“Bett, you mustn’t think like that. The viscount loves you; Mr. Walker has told me so.”
“Emma, thank you for your support, but I’ve not heard those words from him myself. Until he says it to me, I cannot count on it being true.”
Emma squeezed her hand. “Of course, Lord Harrison wants you. You’re a smart and capable young woman who any man would be proud to call his wife.”
Bett wanted with all her heart to believe that what Emma said was true. She didn’t know what she’d do if the man who’d stolen her heart chose another to be his wife. She didn’t know if she could survive another gut-wrenching heartbreak.
After they talked for another hour, Emma took her leave. “I’ll let you know if I hear any more news.”
“Thank you, Emma. That would be most welcome.”
After Emma left, Bett kept turning over in her mind the possibilities that were now open to Noah, and she was troubled, her thoughts chaotic. She had no idea when she’d see Noah again. There must be many things to take care of now that he was viscount. She wanted to go to him, but they had no understanding, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to barge in on his grief.
Noah, please know how much I adore you. I long for your sweet kisses once more and to be held in your strong embrace. I will always love you, my darling.
Silent tears streamed down Bett’s face.
Noah sat listening tothe solicitor drone on. The man sure did love to talk. It was all Noah could do to seem interested. He hadn’t slept well since arriving at Harrison Manor, and his heart was shattered over the loss of his family.
“And at some point, you’ll need to take your seat in Parliament,” the solicitor said.
