Page 18 of The Baron Takes a Wife

She started to withdraw her hand as something heavy constricted her chest. Something she did not want to face at the moment, but he caught her hand.

“If it was for children, why did it sound so sad?”

“Because,” she began, struggling for an answer when the truth hit her. “We try to tell children they are safe, that nothing will ever harm them. I think the sadness comes from knowing we cannot promise it. That it can all be torn away.”

David looked into her eyes as if he could see why the weight had fallen on her chest at that moment, but he did not press. Still, his scrutiny made Elena feel uncomfortably vulnerable, so she quickly changed the subject.

“Irene.”

He loosened his hold on her hand. “I’ll speak with her. ”

“You noticed it too.”

“I don’t want her to feel like she needs to marry anyone. She’s so young. I just wanted to give her a Season if that’s what she desired. I wanted to be there for her in a way I haven’t in the last few years. The way you have been. I don’t know what we—she would have done without you.”

“She loves the hospital. She loves to go with me. There, she looks determined, purposeful. Tonight, she just looked—”

“Empty,” he finished for her. “You know, at first, I was worried about what she would see going to the hospital with you. She isn’t like you. She’s never seen…” He looked at her for a second, then shook his head. “Well, I suppose you had never seen war. War came to you, but you met the circumstance. I’ve never known anyone like you, Elena.”

Elena felt caught, unable to look away from the intensity of his gaze again, but also uncomfortable with his directness. Fortunately, he looked away and continued.

“But Irene, she grew up sheltered here. You know, when she first wrote to me of going with you, I almost wrote back forbidding her.”

Elena raised her eyebrows. She realized that this only raised one eyebrow since the scar damaged the other, but she hoped this would have a more substantial effect.

“Yes, I know. I cannot forbid my sister anything. But then, she started to write to me of the things she saw and how grateful she was to see more of the world, to be useful, and I remembered how I felt when I enlisted. Why I felt that way.”

“You did not want to be a fribble,” Elena offered. She could see the corners of his mouth turn up as if fighting a smile.

“Something like that. But now I’m glad she has been visiting St. Helena’s with you. I’m looking forward to seeing it myself. Getting to see Mrs. Raeburn again.”

“Yes, I think Irene would like that.”

There was a pause, and then—

“Irene,” they both said at the same time.

“Great minds,” David whispered under his breath, offering his arm after he reached for his cane.

****

As they made their way back inside, David caught sight of one of his oldest friends, Lord Michael Northram, and their old mentor, Lord Gaius Sprague, a Classics scholar. Though born of the aristocracy, Lord Gaius often appeared as if he had just stumbled out of his library with his slightly bent spectacles and very academic lack of sense of what was in fashion. Lord Gaius had been a godsend for him and his friends, as David had floundered when he lost both parents and inherited the title and family business.

Lord Gaius’s daughter Antigone, or Annie, was Irene’s dearest friend and also in her first Season, although from what David could see, she was enjoying her debut much more than Irene. Unlike her father, Annie was elegant and fashionable, but she was also sharp and thoughtful like him. David was grateful that Irene’s dearest friend had a good head on her shoulders.

As he saw them, Michael’s eyes briefly flashed with something like joy at seeing his old friend, but he covered this rare emotional reaction quickly.

“I was just telling Lord Gaius that they would allow anyone into the army these days,” Michael drawled.

“Not you, surely.”

“Heaven forbid I upstage the hero of the Crimea.” Even though Michael’s tone was biting, David knew there was no venom behind it.

“Lord Gaius.” David bowed, ignoring Michael, who could go on and on. “Let me introduce my wife, Lady Grayston.”

Elena curtsied as if she was born into the role. “My lord.” The older man ignored the formality and took her hands in his own. Michael also bowed, but he had been introduced to her before.

“Yes.” Lord Gaius peered over his spectacles. “How delightful to meet you. I have heard so much about you from my daughter, Annie.”