“Did the child live?”
Crawford nodded, his gaze somber. “He did, for a while. Master Edward, who was never a strong child, most unfortunately contracted the measles and died at the age of four. Sir Geoffrey was devastated to lose his heir, so soon after the child’s mother, and after a year of mourning looked about himself to find another wife.”
“And he found Miranda?”
“He did.”
No doubt with the intention of so young a wife providing him with another heir or two. He must have been disappointed when all she produced were daughters. How would he feel if the woman he married couldn’t give him an heir? Up until now it hadn’t mattered a jot. He’d just been a military surgeon and marrying had been far from his thoughts. It wasn’t now. He’d inherited a title and an estate, both of which required a male heir for them to be passed on. But if he had girls…the realization arose that he wouldn’t care, especially not if they turned out to be like Miranda’s charming, if unusual, children.
What did his title matter? He’d never expected to inherit anything like that, nor to be able to leave it to someone. If it came to that, he would be more than happy to leave everything to any daughters he might one day have. Everything but the title. Why in heaven’s name had his cousin not done that for his own wife and children? Why had he left them with scarcely nothing in such a callous fashion? He had to wonder if Sir Geoffrey had not been the sort of man he could have liked.
But he was digressing. He still hadn’t found out much about Sir Julian. A gentle verbal prod in that direction encouraged Crawford to continue.
“Sir Julian’s wife became bedridden several years before her death.” Crawford hesitated, as though unwilling to go on.
Harry frowned. “Don’t keep stopping and leaving me in suspense.”
Crawford visibly gathered his wits. “I feel I need to explain that it’s common knowledge locally that Sir Julian has engaged in er…various liaisons with other…ladies…some of them not quite what you’d call ladies…since before his wife died. Er…since she became bedridden, and possibly even before that.”
Harry nodded, unsurprised by this revelation. He’d seen enough of this as an army officer. He’d been familiar with men living life at the gallop because they could be going out to meet their deaths at any moment… careless of the consequences. Men who engaged in affairs of the heart with the gusto of those who might never have a tomorrow. “I trust he’s never overstepped himself with Lady Madeley?” If the blackguard had shown her lack of respect, he’d kill him. The strength of his emotion took him by surprise. He’d think about the reason for it later.
Poor Crawford. He plainly found this interrogation difficult. “He, er, he liked to call at the Hall when he was sure Sir Geoffrey was absent, but I’m sure no impropriety took place. Her ladyship would never have countenanced it and never have received him alone. There was always either me or Thomas present to serve tea or whatever was required. She made it very plain that she wasn’t to be left alone.”
Anger rose in Harry’s chest. “And he’s been calling since Sir Geoffrey died?”
Crawford nodded. “He has. And again, she has not been alone with him, I can assure you.”
Only she had been, hadn’t she? When he’d gone out for a walk in the gardens and left Sir Julian with her in his own parlor.
Why was he feeling so protective of a woman he barely knew? A woman who had somehow managed to get under his skin to the point that he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Not that he minded, especially as if he was thinking about her, he didn’t have time for his terrifying memories. But she was also a woman who wanted to pair him off with her daughter, a girl scarcely out of the school room. The realization that he would far rather be paired off with the girl’s mother pushed itself to the forefront of his mind.
And shocked him.
However, that was clearly why he couldn’t get her out of his head no matter how hard he tried.
Marriage had never been important before. But this woman was a lady, and it must be marriage or nothing. Did he even want to marry? He’d been thinking about having an heir, so surely he did? And she was still young enough to do that for him.
He became aware Crawford was regarding him in curiosity.
He managed a smile. “Thank you. It doesn’t do to enter the lion’s den without foreknowledge of how fierce the occupier might be.”
Crawford, a somewhat knowing smile on his face, bowed his head. “It does not, Sir Henry.”
