Chapter Twelve
Selecting a husband for one’s former lover was a rather formidable task. But since Adelaide was clearly more interested in books than husbands and did not care if the man was a rake or old, so long as he left her to her novels, it fell to Nick to develop more substantive criteria.
But what qualities should a husband possess? Was it not enough to provide a home and a name? What more could a woman possibly want? Yet he knew Adelaide did want more, because he had offered her both those things, and it had not been enough. She would have married him given no other choice, but clearly she preferred not to.
Nevertheless, he took out a sheet of paper and wrote money and good name in heavy black scrawl. She was in need of a certain standard in a husband, and one of them, at least, needed to keep the practicalities in mind. It wouldn’t be Adelaide, of course. She was far too romantic for that.
What else? A handsome countenance would not be amiss. Women were always making themselves ridiculous over a handsome face—witness the titters and hand flutters every time Wessex entered a room.
Handsome, he wrote. Although perhaps it would be best if the man were not too handsome. When their families intertwined, it was reasonable to expect that they would see rather a lot of each other. Imagine Adelaide always following her husband like a lovesick puppy, the way Nate followed Alice.
No.
He wanted Adelaide to be happy with her husband, but witnessing her adoration of another man would be…unpleasant.
He added the word enough after handsome.
Perhaps a military man? Adelaide had seemed to enjoy Colonel Kent’s attentions. She must have an officer, of course. Nothing lower than a major would do. Although…Nick had attained the rank of colonel himself before being assigned to more secretive work. He wouldn’t like to be outranked.
He dipped the quill into the ink pot and added it to the list.
Then he paused again. He read over his list. As a whole, it added up to a decent fellow. But none of the characteristics he had chosen would necessarily make for a pleasant marriage. The man she married must also be kind and generous. He must be well-read, of course, but supportive of her desire to read, as well. She must have access to all the books she wished. He must let her visit her family as often as she liked, and never show any untoward jealousy.
In short, the man must like her, very much.
He considered his list. And added another item.
“What are you writing?” Nathaniel asked from the doorway.
Nick grimaced. This was what came of simple living. If he had hired a valet, there would have been someone to bolt the door and bar his brother from entry. He would remedy his error posthaste.
“Nothing that concerns you.” He placed the paper aside for the ink to dry.
“Ah! The very thing that interests me the most.” Nathaniel snatched up the paper, leaping away when Nick tried to grab it back.
Not for the first time, he wondered what his life would have been like had he been born an only child instead of part of a matched set.
“Money. Good name,” his brother read aloud. His brow furrowed. “What is this?”
“Qualifications for a husband.”
Nathaniel looked understandably confused. “Whose husband?”
“Adelaide’s.”
“Kind, generous,” Nathaniel read. His eyebrows arched above the paper. “You are not either of those things.”
“Which is why she hopes to find a more suitable match. If she doesn’t have an offer by the end of the season, we will wed. Until then, I will continue to court her and she will continue to look elsewhere.”
“Hmm.” Nathaniel frowned at that, but continued reading. “Handsome enough? Not better than a colonel? Why did you not simply write, ‘like Nicholas Eastwood, but just a little worse’?” He howled with laughter at his own joke. Then his gaze landed on the last item, and his laughter died abruptly.
Enough of this.
Nick stood, relieved Nate of the list, and returned to his seat almost before Nathaniel realized what had happened.
“Nick—”
“We are not discussing it.”
“But you wrote—”
“Am I wrong?” Nick demanded.
Nathaniel paused. “No,” he said finally. But he looked troubled.
“Can we agree never to speak of it again?”
“I suppose,” Nathaniel said reluctantly.
Now would be the ideal time for his brother to state his purpose for his sudden appearance in Nick’s house. He waited, but Nathaniel said nothing.
“I suppose you are here because Alice is busy and you expect me to entertain you,” Nick muttered.
“It’s worse than that, I’m afraid.” Nathaniel grinned. “Mother requests your presence for dinner. I have been sent to collect you.”
Nick groaned.
“Freesia will be there,” Nathaniel coaxed. “You love Freesia.”
This was true. Nick was extremely fond of their younger sister, who had been the only one to stand by him when his parents had cast him out. He could stand by her now, even if it meant listening to her endless chatter on beaux and balls.
“The Bursnells will be there, as well. Mother wants our families to know each other better, since we will soon be related.”
Ah. This was that dinner.
“Very well.” Nick rose from his chair. “You go ahead and tell Mother I am coming. I have to change for dinner first.”
“I’ll wait,” Nathaniel said cheerfully, clearly not trusting him at his word.
Nick growled but left the room to change. He dressed hastily, not wanting to leave his brother alone too long in his study with his private papers. Particularly the letter from Montrose. He rushed back to the study, but Nathaniel was still sitting exactly as he had left him, contemplating the ceiling.
“I’m ready,” Nick said.
“You’re not shaved. Mother will be annoyed.”
“Oh, dear. Whatever will she do?” Nick lifted a sardonic eyebrow. “Banish me from our childhood home, perhaps?”
Nathaniel looked at him. “Enough of that, brother. You are not without sin, yourself.”
Nick frowned. “What I have done, I did in service of my king and countrymen. You will not judge me for it.” He judged himself enough as it was.
Nathaniel looked at him oddly, then shook his head. But he said no more as they left the house.
It wasn’t until much later that night, when Nick again took up his list, that it occurred to him that perhaps Nathaniel had been referring to Adelaide.