wheels, standing listless and quiet along the side of the road. He had won a great victory that morning, and yet now he realised that it was of no use – for he had just lost his world entire.
Chapter 29
Margaret waited all morning for news of the duel and what had come of it. She heard nothing, but by midday, she looked out and saw a figure striding towards the house. The man was not in uniform, but she still recognised Nigel’s tall form and easy manner from a long way off. Her heart leapt within her and it took all her effort to stay calm in the parlour until she heard word of his arrival at the front door.
She waited for some time, but then the butler appeared in the parlour and, clearing his throat, announced a Captain Nigel Bateson wished to see her in the hallway.
“Do show him in,” Margaret said quickly. Her father was not home, but she felt that it would not have mattered. Her father had not fully come round to discussion of Nigel Bateson, but he did seem more inclined to kindness after learning of all Nigel had done to defend their family name. “I will call for some tea.”
The butler looked uncomfortable. “I’m afraid the captain does not wish to come into the parlour. He says his business is not of enduring nature. He desires to speak with you quickly and frankly and then to be on his way.”
“That’s preposterous,” she said, rising to her feet. “I wish to see him in here at once. Surely he can spare a few extra minutes for an old friend.”
The butler cleared his throat. “He said that you would say that, then asked me to tell you that old friends respect each other’s wishes.”
Margaret felt a stab of misgiving. She pushed past the butler into the hall and walked to the great foyer just inside the door. Sure as his word, Nigel was standing there, his back to her, looking up at a great picture of the family hung just beyond the entrance. He stood quite straight, his hands clasped behind his back, every bit the soldier even out of his uniform. She cleared her throat, and he turned around to greet her.
“Captain Bateson, I’ve been told that you have no real desire to spend time with me in my parlour, and I confess I am rather offended.” She took a step forward, gentling her voice. “As I am quite thrilled to see you alive and well this day, I would imagine you have more to share with me than a few minutes would allow.”
His eyes looked distant and sad. She sensed that something very great was standing between them, though they were separated by only a few feet of space.
“I suppose you learnt the time of the duel, then?” he asked quietly.
She turned and saw that the butler had already left them alone. “Yes,” she answered. “I had heard, and as foolish as I considered it, I see now that my fears were unfounded. You have returned alive and well.”
“It did not occur,” he said crisply. “And the reason for it was removed. Lord Waddington has recanted his accusations against you.”
“That hardly seems likely,” she said with a frown. “He was quite set upon it.”
“New information came to light.” He still seemed so strangely formal, behaving as though they had never met, though they had been friends for such a long time.
“What new information?” she asked softly, thinking that her little ploy with Sir Arthur must have come about.
He searched her face for a moment and then said calmly. “It appears that Lord Waddington may have been the father of the child. It may seem like a strange coincidence indeed, but it is true. Perhaps he tried to pin the blame on you to distract attention from himself. He will not claim parentage outright, but he does have a history with the fisherman’s daughter, and all in all your name has been summarily cleared.”
“But he will escape without due punishment for his wanton ways and lies,” Margaret said quietly. “I am glad that the duel was put away, for it was a nasty and dangerous business, but I cannot help wishing that he had been forced in some way or other to face up to his crimes. He behaved abominably with Molly. He left her to quite literally die, and he made no attempt to care for Penelope.”