“They have gone,” Lily said quietly. “Many tears from the young lady, and black looks from her mama. Poor Lord Daniel will have a miserable time of it, trapped in a carriage with the two of them. Are you—? Forgive me, but is there anything you want? Anything any of us may do to help?”
“There is no help for what has occurred,” Lance said.
“Then the betrothal is definitely at an end? There is no possibility of a reconciliation?”
Lance glanced up and down the passageway to ensure that they were quite alone. “Lily, there is only one reason why a young lady needs a husband in a great hurry. I could not contemplate marrying her in such circumstances.”
She nodded, showing no surprise. “I feared something of the sort. The Merrington ladies saw only romantic attachment, but there is a desperation in such a journey at this time of year. I am very sorry for it, Lance. What a shame, after all the excitement of your reunion yesterday, to end in this way.” She half turned away, then turned back. “We are all going out for a walk later today, since it is dry for once. Would you like to join us? Fresh air and exercise and congenial company might lift your spirits after such a disappointing outcome.”
“Thank you, I should like that.”
“We will meet in the Marble Hall at one o’clock. I shall send your man up to you. Enjoy your breakfast.”
And with that she was gone, in a swirl of lavender silk and delicate perfume, her slippers making no sound on the carpet.
***
Georgie could not decide which was most astonishing — that Lady Patience had arrived unannounced and clearly ecstatic to see her betrothed, or that she had left again the next morning, her engagement broken. No one seemed to knowquite what had happened, and Mr Chamberlain would say only that they had discovered irreconcilable differences between them and realised that they were not well suited after all. He was remarkably phlegmatic about the business, considering how abruptly all his hopes had been destroyed.
The Merrington ladies formed a defensive shield around Mr Chamberlain, ensuring that he was never left alone to brood. Whether he was painting or taking a brisk walk in the garden or writing letters in the breakfast parlour, where perhaps he had retreated to escape his shadows, one or two of them were sure to be there. When evening came, they set themselves to find little amusements to lift his spirits. Not that he seemed to be in low spirits, and sometimes his exchanges with the sisters bordered on the flirtatious.
“What do you make of it?” Jamie said as he and Georgie readied themselves for bed that evening. “What can possibly have happened to cause such a spectacular rift?”
“They quarrelled, I suppose,” she said. “What else?”
“Yes, but what about?” he said, speaking a little more loudly than usual since he was undressing behind the screen. “They seemed perfectly content when he escorted her upstairs last night, but then she left before breakfast this morning. What could have happened in the night to cause such a rupture?”
Georgie sat down on the edge of the bed to roll down her stockings. “I can’t imagine, although… perhaps he tried to take liberties?”
“That would hardly be surprising in an engaged couple, and I cannot suppose that he would press her if she resisted. Besides, when she left, she seemed upset rather than angry, and the mother was upset, too. Did you know that Lady Pentavon spent half an hour talking to him this morning, very early? Provided wine and edibles, too, which he did not touch.”
“No!” She jumped up and poked her head round the side of Jamie’s screen. “Really?”
He squeaked and tried to cover his half-naked self with his discarded shirt, which made her laugh.
“Heavens, Jamie, I’ve seen everything you have already.”
“Well, I know but… that is different.”
She diplomatically retreated to the other side of the screen. “What did they talk about?”
“Georgie, it was private! They were in the Blue Parlour with the door closed.”
“And don’t tell me that the footmen weren’t listening at the keyhole,” she said, slipping her nightgown over her head. “There, I’m decent. You can come out whenever you’re ready.”
Bashfully, he emerged from behind the screen and sat beside her on the bed. “You are very patient with me. I shall get used to this eventually, I am sure.”
She chuckled and squeezed his hand. “No rush. You’re not shy in bed, and that’s what matters.Didthe footmen hear anything?”
“Not much, no, except that the marchioness started crying at one point. Then she said,‘But you love her! Surely you cannot believe such dreadful things? Marry her and all will be well, I swear it!’But what he believed, no one knows. The only other thing Froggett said was that Chamberlain kept her kicking her heels in the Blue Parlour for two hours. So whatever the problem, he was the one insulted by it and he was the one who broke off the engagement, so it must have been a major catastrophe. What do the other ladies think?”
“That he was jealous of her spending time with other gentlemen while they were apart, but I don’t see that myself. If he was jealous, he’d have been delighted to see her again and being so openly affectionate, too. She could have brought him round with a few honeyed words, and it seems to me that she’dbe very adept with honeyed words, especially with a gentleman who was partial to her anyway. No, it was something she did that turned him against her, and I agree it must have been catastrophic. What a pity, though. It would have been such a good match for him.”
Jamie shook his head. “This is what happens when people move outside their proper station. He is only gentry, after all. He should have stayed within his sphere. Perhaps he will marry one of the Merrington sisters. Maria might suit him.”
“Now, now! No matchmaking, if you please. Leave the poor man to recover from this trouble first.”
“Very well.” He put an arm round her shoulder and stretched out his other hand to rest on her belly, saying softly, “When are we going to tell people?”
