How to Turn a Frog into a Prince - Bree Wolf Page 0,49
his as she spoke, and her heart rejoiced at the deep regret that came to his face upon hearing her answer. He had truly come to care for her, had he not? Indeed, despite his initial insistence to the contrary, it seemed that Mr. Nathanial Caswell had finally found a friend.
“I wish you a good time,” he told her with a set jaw. A smile appeared on his face, but it looked a bit grotesque and far from genuine.
Smiling up at him, Charlaine reached for his hand, giving it an encouraging squeeze. “Don’t look so glum, Nathanial. I promise before you know it I’ll be stepping on your toes again.”
A soft chuckle rumbled in his throat and, this time, the smile that came to his lips was as true and genuine as she had ever seen. If only she could share her plan with him! However, it would be prudent to speak to Pierce first.
Then she would write Nathanial a letter.
Chapter Twenty-Three
A Lady’s Letter
Never had London been this dreary, not even when he had first arrived.
A sennight ago, everyone Nathanial cared about had left. While Zach and Becca had returned to traveling the world, Lord Markham and his wife, along with the children and Charlaine, had gone to the country, spending their summer at Markham Hall.
Only Nathanial had remained.
And yet, deep down, he knew that it was time he returned to Boston. After all, there was nothing for him in England, was there? He did not have a place here, not like Zach did.
Now that Charlaine had left, her cheerful, lighthearted presence no longer silencing those nagging questions and doubts, Nathanial was forced to realize that the time to leave had come.
He had dreaded it.
He had dreaded the thought of returning to Boston.
Of seeing Abigail again.
Of returning to a life filled with nothing but loneliness.
All that awaited him in Boston was his father’s business, his legacy. And yet, the thought of doing his duty to his family helped Nathanial move forward. He asked Gusford, his brother’s butler, to book passage for him on the next available ship and then ready his things.
It was time to go home.
I suppose it would be nice to come home for the holidays. Unexpectedly, his brother’s words filled Nathanial’s mind, reminding him that now when Zach spoke of home, he no longer meant their childhood brownstone in Boston.
Now, he meant Pembroke Hall, England.
Seated in the library, Nathanial closed the book he had been reading and set it aside. He could not even remember what had been written on its pages for his mind continued to circle the decision he had made but could not make his peace with.
A knock that to his ears sounded as deafening as a shot made Nathanial shoot to his feet. “Yes!”
Gusford entered, a silver platter balanced upon his right hand. “A letter was delivered for you, Mr. Caswell.” The man’s balding head gleamed in the sun shining in through the tall windows.
“Thank you, Gusford,” Nathanial said, taking the correspondence.
Gusford nodded and then left.
The moment Nathanial’s eyes fell on the delicate, but forceful scrawl, his heart almost beat out of his chest and his fingers rushed to tear open the envelope and unfold the parchment within.
My dearest Nathanial,
I can only assume that you have returned to your former ways of skulking in the corner and watching life pass you by. I am right, am I not? Now, don’t roll your eyes at me for I will not have it.
I also assume you’ve already booked passage back to Boston. Well, cancel it! Are your bags sitting by the door, ready to go? Good. I want you to order your brother’s carriage and come to Markham Hall.
Today.
Nathanial did not know what to feel in that moment. All he did know was that he could not stop smiling.
Pierce and Caroline were delighted when I asked them if you could stay with us until the next Season. They bid me tell y—
Nathanial’s jaw dropped and his eyes snapped back a few words. “Until the next Season? The woman is mad.” And yet, he could not wait to read on.
They bid me tell you that you’re most welcome to join us here at Markham Hall. Daphne and Susan send their regards as well and want to know if you have any experience catching a frog. I think they’re up to something. We shall see.
Now, go and do as I say. I miss you terribly. Not even going barefoot manages to distract me for long.