“You are not quite sober yet.” I handed him his disregarded mug. “Finish this before you leave this room.”
With a sigh, Richard muttered his agreement.
One of our footmen, John, came to deliver a note. I took a glance at the message signed by Graham and gave Richard a stern gaze. “Can I trust you to remain here?”
He lifted his mug of coffee aloft. “Of course. I shall drink this before I leave.”
When I entered my locked study, Graham sat in the chair opposite my desk. I mumbled a mild curse at his presumption. “You wanted to see me?” I took my seat behind the desk.
He described a conversation he had with Anne in which she revealed her desire to take over the management of Rosings.
The change would be certain to benefit the estate—Anne’s calm, reasonable nature would serve her well in the position.
Graham recounted Anne’s wish for me to write to our uncle and secure his support. He leaned forwards. “If you do not mind. I hope you will write the letter to your uncle now.”
“Now?” I beheld him for a long moment. “I have no objection to fulfilling her request, but why the urgency? What difference does it make whether the letter is written now, tomorrow, or next week?” The throbbing of my heart reverberated in my ears. Would Graham admit my imminent death?
With his eyes focused upon his clasped hands, Graham mumbled a few unintelligible words.
“What did you say? I could not understand you.” My heightened tone reflected the tumult within me.
He coughed. “Well, you see, I promised her that you would take care of this today. She is anxious to have her uncle’s support guaranteed as soon as possible.”
Blast it. Despite the angel’s unwillingness to be explicit, his inference could not be mistaken. I grabbed the arms of the chair to steady myself. It seemed I had little time remaining. “Inactuality, I have no reason to put this off. I shall compose the missive now.”
The tension in Graham’s features dispersed with his smile. “Miss de Bourgh will appreciate your assistance. She would have asked you herself, but I believe the estrangement of the last several years made her reluctant to impose upon you. I assured her that you would not mind.”
“No, not in the least.” Graham sat in silence as I worked on the correspondence to my uncle. I sanded and sealed the letter, and my sight fell upon him. Could he provide the same service for me that he had done for Richard? It would be a tremendous comfort if I could be assured before leaving this earth that my wife and son would lead full and contented lives. “Richard related the welcome news you gave him with regards to my sister and their future family.” To my chagrin, my voice cracked. “I should be grateful if you could confirm that Elizabeth and Bennet have long, happy lives ahead of them.”
Graham’s posture straightened, and a grin suffused his mien with esprit. “Yes, of course. This I can do for you.” He moved to stand beside me with his hand extended. “If you please.”
I took his hand, and he closed his eyes.
The muscles in his forehead contracted and relaxed. Interminable moments elapsed as he shifted his weight several times.
I glanced at the mantle clock. Almost two minutes had gone by. Why did this take so long? My heart pounded, and coldness crept into my veins. Graham’s grip on my hand grew stronger, almost desperate, though I had naught but a dim perception of the ache from the pressure.
After another minute, Graham released me, panting. Sweat glistened on his temples, and his eyes opened. “I…I am sorry. I cannot do this.”
I shot up from my chair. “What do you mean, you cannot? Do you refuse to tell me their fates?” I raised a hand to my chest. What had Graham seen?
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, I am unable to see either Elizabeth’s or Bennet’s future. I made the attempt several times to no avail.”
A wave of dizziness compelled me to lean upon my desk. “You are not saying…you do not mean—”
“No, no!” Graham clutched my shoulder. “Do not make any hasty conclusions. I apologize, but I cannot comply with your request. This has never happened to me before, but it could be a consequence of my extended presence in your realm. I have been warned that my abilities could be impaired. Nevertheless, I can relate one specific item if you want to hear it.”
I fell back into my chair. “Is it good news or bad?”
“I should say it is good. Yes, most definitely good.”
“Then by all means, tell me.”
“Elizabeth is with child. She will have a female babe.”
My head lowered as a host of bittersweet emotions afflicted me. I am to have a daughter—a daughter who will never know me. I cleared my throat with a harsh cough. “Graham, I wish to be alone.”
“Of course.” With a solemn nod, he rose and hastened from the room.
