“Yes, that did not escape my notice, and I am gratified to see such an improvement in her health.”
I released a short laugh. “Maybe the distance from her mother had a healing effect on her.”
“There could be some truth to that.”
My mouth fell open. “Do you think so?”
“Lady Catherine would never hurt Anne intentionally, yet she clings to a few antiquated beliefs. For instance, my aunt considers physical exercise to be detrimental to ladies.”
“She may share several opinions held by my own mother. To my good fortune, Papa did not allow her to restrict my activity.”
Fitzwilliam took my hand, and his thumb moved in a circular pattern over my skin. “I am grateful for his intervention. Your childhood experiences allowed you to become the person you are today”—he lifted my hand to kiss my inner wrist—“a woman ideally suited to me.”
Graham
I followed Darcy’s brother-in-law Colonel Fitzwilliam into the billiards room. The retired officer, who retained his military bearing, stiffened at my entry, signalling his annoyance at my intrusion. Still, he managed to prevent frowning.
I bowed to him. “Good day, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
He completed his strike before straightening and returning the gesture. “Mr. Graham.”
Earlier today, I had obtained several interesting musings from Mrs. Fitzwilliam when I passed by her, but I gleaned almost nothing from him.In this setting, I might have better luck.“Would you care for a game?” I approached the table.
“Yes, of course.” He retrieved his ball from the pocket. “Shall we make it a short game, just to six?”
“That is a fine suggestion.” I selected a cue. “Go ahead and play first.”
Whilst Colonel Fitzwilliam examined the table and prepared for his shot, he sent me several covert glances. “I understand that you and Darcy met at Cambridge.”
“Yes, we shared a close bond back then.” I chalked the end of my cue and took a position beside him. I waited a beat as a few fragments of his stormy thoughts became perceptible to me.“I have been living in Calabria. For the past few years, I have offered my services as a spiritual advisor.”
His nose wrinkled. “A spiritual advisor? What does that mean?”
I bent over the table to take my turn. “The practice is commonplace in Calabria. People consult me when they seek guidance to resolve a problem or make an important decision.”
With a derisive laugh, he shook his head. “You mean to say that perfect strangers reveal their personal difficulties to you?”
“Indeed, and it has been a privilege to provide them assistance.” I retrieved my ball from the pocket. “For example, one of my first clients came to me in a desperate state after his wife had threatened to leave him.”
A smirk played upon Colonel Fitzwilliam’s lips as he shifted into position to make his strike.
I moved across from him. “My client was reluctant to relate the problem, but at length, he explained to me that he could no longer bring himself to perform his marital duties.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s white ball sailed off the table and struck the hardwood floor with a jarring, dissonant crash.
Aha, now I have nettled him.
With a wince, he rubbed the weathered skin on the side of his nose. He went to the corner of the room in a slouched carriage and retrieved the valuable ivory ball from the floor. He inspected the ball, which appeared to be intact. “That was a humbling display.”
“Mistakes happen to the best of us. I can see you are a skilled player, so this must have been a freak occurrence for you. You should take your turn anew.”
“No, no. I insist. You go ahead.”
“As you wish.” I took my turn.
He shot me a quick look before moving his gaze to the table. “You…um…mentioned a married man who came to you for advice.”
“Ah yes. Given his problem, you might assume the gentleman no longer loved his wife or suffered from a physical ailment, but you would be mistaken. He adored his wife but would not take the chance of impregnating her. He did not want to risk her succumbing to one of the hazards associated with childbearing.”
