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He was left a letter from his father, sealed with red wax and the imprinted signet of the Hamilton seat, and a telegraph. He had a strong foreboding about the letter and put it aside, lest he sob into his bath and Ewan see it.
He unfolded the telegraph.
The princess must make a selection. Your father and I are depending on you. DR
“Well, that one lacks all subtlety,” William muttered. He tossed it over the lip of the tub, drew a breath and picked up the letter from his father.
He read it three times.
And then he sat in his bath until the water turned cold, staring at rivulets of rain on his window.
Eventually, Ewan returned, carrying a selection of formal waistcoats. He held up a silver one with white embroidery.
“No.”
Ewan looked at it. “Is it the color, then? Blue is fashionable.”
“Aye, but that is silver.”
Ewan tossed it aside and held up a dark red one.
William cocked his head to one side. “Do you ever think of marriage, Ewan?”
All the blood drained from Ewan’s big face. “What?”
“Marriage. How is it I donna know if you have or no’?”
Ewan stared at him.
William sighed and sank lower. He was getting cold now. “Put that aside. I’ll wear a black waistcoat and black neck cloth. You can pick out black from the rest of them, can you no’? Tell me—did you ever think to marry?”
Ewan put aside the waistcoats. His face, just pale, was now ruddy with color. He rubbed his palms on his trousers. “Aye,” he said at last.
William would have guessed not, so the admission surprised him. “Why did you no’, then?”
“I had no money. No house of me own. I had no’ a thing of value to offer, and I...I let her get away, I did.”
William sat up and folded his arms on the edge of the tub. “But eventually, you had a house and coin.”
“Aye. But I never met another one quite like her. No one else would do, I suppose.”
William understood completely. He’d never met anyone quite like Justine Ivanosen, either. He didn’t need anyone to tell him he never would meet anyone like her again. “Did you ever consider going back to her?”
“Aye, many times.” He rubbed a finger under his nose, scrunching up his face like he meant to sneeze.
“And?”
“Couldna find the courage. When at last I did, I was too late. She was married with four bairn.”
“Bloody hell.”
“Aye, bloody hell, milord.”
William leaned back again. He swirled the water around with his finger. “Do you regret it?”
The question apparently struck a chord. Ewan began to gather the waistcoats in a hurry. “If I had it to do again, I’d no’ let her get away. If you’re asking my advice, milord, I’d do whatever it took. Life is too long and lonely to let an opportunity pass, aye? If that is all?”
“Aye, it’s all. Thank you, Ewan.”
