Two Days Later

Luke sighed happily to himself, as he sat back on in his chair, having just enjoyed a splendid breakfast. His father had set off for home almost immediately after Luke had been introduced to Elizabeth, clearly glad that the meeting had taken place. He had no concerns now, for he had made it clear to Luke that he was to court the girl, propose, and set a wedding date by the end of the Season.

Elizabeth had been as astonished as he to discover that they had already been acquainted—albeit unofficially—prior to their first meeting. What a relief it had been to see that the woman who was to be his bride was an altogether lovely one. Luke would be lying were he to say that he was not attracted to her, recalling how his blood had begun to heat as he had kissed her.

Elizabeth had been so soft and sweet, and clearly had never been kissed before, which made him appreciate her all the more. He was already looking forward to seeing her again, and he had made the attempt to call on her yesterday afternoon, only to discover that she and her mother were out on a previous engagement. Having left his card, he had returned home to write a note to her requesting that he be permitted to call upon her the following day. Her response had been almost immediate, clearly thrilled with the prospect of seeing him again. Since then, Luke had been thinking of almost nothing else.

That was, until his rather ridiculous cousin interrupted his silence.

“Mallon?”

The door creaked open, and the pale face of his cousin, Baron Parke, peeked around it.

Luke bit back a sigh and gestured for him to enter. “You need not hide from me, Parke.”

His cousin walked in, closing the door behind him. He was a tall, wiry fellow with a shock of dark hair and clear blue eyes that had the habit of looking all about in a rather suspicious manner. He had requested Luke’s help for a certain matter two days ago, and once Elizabeth and her mother had taken their leave, Luke had no choice but to go to his aid. He could not simply turn his back on family, despite the desire to do just that.

Aware that he had a great deal of wealth, Luke had unwillingly paid off his cousin’s debts to the two men waiting outside White’s. Then, he went in to claim his cousin. He discovered that Parke now no longer had lodgings, since he had not paid what was due. Since he could not exactly leave him on the street, he had told him that he might stay with him for a day or so until he could make arrangements to travel home again.

Luke discovered that Parke’s father, before he died, had stipulated in the will that his son not be given full access to all of the Baron’s accumulated wealth at one time. There was strict sum for the first five years, and only then would all be open to Parke. It was a rather strange thing for any father to put in their will, but now it all became clear to Luke. Parke was not a wise man, and he was inclined to throw his money around. Clearly, Parke’s father had hoped that five years would be enough time for his son to learn to take care of his coin.

Luke was not so sure.

“Have you made arrangements to return home, Parke?” Luke asked directly, as his cousin sat opposite him and helped himself to a piece of toast.

Parke shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Yes, cousin. I should be away from here by the day after tomorrow.”

It was a day or two later than Luke would have liked, but he did not complain. He simply nodded. “Good.”

“And I shall repay you for those debts of mine you paid,” Parke continued hurriedly. “I know you did me a great service, and I should like to repay it.”

Luke considered this for a moment before agreeing to it. Parke’s late father would have wanted his son to pay for his debts, and if Luke did not insist on being repaid, then Parke would learn nothing. “Very good,” he said, nodding. “By the end of the quarter?”

Parke’s face paled even more, but he inclined his head regardless. “Yes, of course. You are very good to me, cousin.”

Luke tried to smile, but failed, his expression a little dark. He was not quite sure that he liked his cousin, and he certainly did not care for his behavior. The next few minutes passed in silence as they both ate, with Luke finishing the last of his coffee.

Luke rose from his chair, but he was interrupted by a scratch at the door. As the butler entered, Luke saw that he carried a note on a silver plate.

“Thank you,” Luke murmured, taking it from him and opening it at once. The note was short and to the point. As he read it, Luke felt the blood rush from his face, draining away until he felt both pale and sick at the same time.

“Goodness, cousin, whatever is the matter?” Parke exclaimed, as Luke lowered himself into a seat. “Has something terrible occurred?”

“My father,” Luke replied, his voice barely more than a whisper. “My father has had an accident.”

Parke stared at him for a moment, his eyes widening. “Your father?”

“I must go to him at once,” Luke said, one hand gripping his chair tightly. “I must leave this very morning.”

“Of course, of course,” Parke exclaimed, as Luke got unsteadily to his feet. “What can I do?”

Luke could not think, could not speak. All he could see was the letter in his hand, the news that his father was seriously ill making him unable to think clearly.

“The carriage wheel hit the ditch and tipped over,” he whispered, not answering Parke’s question. “My father was thrown from the carriage. Thank goodness they were near home and that he was able to be carried there. I cannot imagine what…”

Parke got out of his chair and came around to Luke’s side, grasping his arm and looking into his face. “Mallon, I will do whatever I can to help you, but you must tell me what that is,” he said firmly. “When do you plan to leave?”

“Now,” Luke said hoarsely. “I need to leave now. This very morning.”

Parke nodded, a slight frown on his face. “Do they say that he is seriously ill?”

Luke nodded, his fingers tightening on the letter. “His steward wrote this. He begs me to come at once. Father has not awakened since the accident.” He swayed just a little, weakness rushing through him. “I should have gone with him.”

To his credit, Parke shook his head. “Nonsense, Mallon. What good would you have done in going with him? There is no need for you to blame yourself in this situation, for none of this is your doing. It is an accident, that is all. Now, I will ring the bell, and you will order the butler to have a bag packed for you at once.”

Luke stared at Parke, trying to get his bearing. “Yes, yes. Of course.”

Parke left his side and rang the bell before coming back to the table. “And I will ensure that the carriage is adequately prepared for your departure. Do you have any arrangements that you will need to send your apologies to?”

It was as though his mind was nothing more than swirling fog. Luke could not find an answer to Parke’s question, not sure what it was he was meant to be doing or where he was meant to be going.

“Luke,” Parke said again, using his Christian name so that he might catch Luke’s attention. “Have you made arrangements to go to balls or the like, where I will need to make your apologies?” He walked towards the corner of the room and filled a glass with a small measure of brandy, which he handed to Luke.

“None that matter,” Luke replied with a shake of his head.

Parke handed him the glass, and Luke took a small sip, the liquor coursing through him and chasing away the weakness that had filled him. “No, wait…. There is Lady Elizabeth.”

“Lady Elizabeth?”

Luke nodded, about to answer, only for the butler to appear at the door. He took another fortifying sip before telling the butler exactly what had happened and what was required. The butler, who had been working for the family for a few years, looked equally horrified and stunned to the very core, stumbling over his words as he promised to have everything prepared for Luke within the hour.

Luke thanked him and asked that a footman bring him a piece of parchment, his quill, and ink. He needed to write a letter.

“Parke,” he said, as the parchment was placed before him with a silver tray containing the rest of the required implements set on the table. “I will need you to deliver this to Lady Elizabeth.”

“Lady Elizabeth?”

Realizing that he had not explained who the lady was, Luke nodded. “Lady Elizabeth Bolton, daughter to the Earl of Lewisham,” he explained, quietly. “She is my betrothed.”

Surprise registered in Parke’s eyes, for the engagement was not something that was well known.

“She is waiting for me to call on her this afternoon, and of course, I cannot,” Luke said, writing a brief note that explained everything and begged her forgiveness. He gave her his father’s country address in the hope that she would correspond with him, his heart sinking into his boots as he realized just how much he would miss her.

There would be no courting, no walks in the park, no carriage rides or dances. She would have to wait for him, wait for the situation with his father to improve, which he could only hope would be the case. He hoped she would write to him very soon, that she would not leave him to deal with the situation alone. Whilst he did not know her very well, he believed her to have a gentle, tender heart that would understand the situation fully.

“Parke,” he said, sanding the note and taking the wax and seal from the silver tray on the table. “Hand this to Lady Elizabeth and to no other. Do you understand me?” He looked into Parke’s face, his gaze steady. It mattered to him a great deal that Lady Elizabeth receive this note personally, that Parke could explain what had happened before she read the letter from him. He hated that he could not go to see her himself, but there simply was not the time to do so. Luke hoped that she would understand, that she would not feel slighted in any way, and that she, in her return of his letter, would support him.

“Perfectly,” Parke said at once, his expression a little sad. “Have no doubt, I will do exactly as you wish. You can rely on me, Mallon. I will ensure that everything here is taken care of and that extra clothes or the like are sent up to you. Just go to your father. I do hope that he is already recovered by the time you get there.”

Luke nodded tersely, handing Parke the note and praying that his trust in him was not misplaced. “Thank you, Parke. I need to go and ensure that everything is moving along smoothly. You are welcome to remain here until the time comes for your own departure.” A sense of urgency began to fill his veins as Parke nodded, still looking sorrowful.

“Thank you, Mallon,” Parke murmured, as Luke strode towards the door. “And Godspeed.”