A Portrait of Love (The Academy of Love #3) - Minerva Spencer Page 0,96
from Leeds to meet with his lordship, but …”
Honey understood: But Simon was indisposed.
“I shall meet with him. Show him in.”
Hume left and Honey gratefully turned her mind to a situation less fraught than that of her marriage. If the man had come all the way from Leeds to speak to Simon, then they must put him up, at least for the night, and hope that Simon could meet with him tomorrow or later today.
Again, the door opened and Hume ushered a tall, dark-haired man into the room.
“Good afternoon, my lady, I am Benjamin Heyworth.”
“Please, have a seat.” Honey gestured to one of the chairs across from her. “I understand you had a meeting with my husband. I’m afraid he is indisposed.”
“I am very sorry to hear that, my lady. I hope it is nothing serious.” It wasn’t a question, but she felt she owed him at least a little information.
“Lord Saybrook was injured in Belgium and is still recovering from some of his injuries.” That should be vague enough—not exposing Simon’s condition yet still communicating its seriousness.
Heyworth’s forehead creased with concern that appeared genuine. His green-brown eyes were clear and intelligent beneath expressive brows. “I know of his lordship’s service; it is most impressive. I would not have disturbed you, but I’m afraid I only have a certain amount of time set aside for this visit.” He flashed her a rueful smile. “I seem to have found myself with two possible positions at the same moment.”
“Ah, an embarrassment of riches.”
“Normally I would agree with you, but, you see, I am scheduled to meet my other prospective employer in four days. I informed his lordship of this in my letter,” he added hastily. He lifted his broad shoulders and let them drop. “So, you see my predicament.”
“I shall see what I can do this afternoon, although I can promise you nothing. You must stay for dinner and be our guest for the evening.” Honey stood and he rose with her.
“I will have Hume show you to a room and send up some tea to tide you over.”
“You are most kind.” He hesitated and Honey raised her eyebrows. “I hope you won’t think me impertinent, but I was wondering—as long as I am here—if there is anyone who could show me around the estate?”
As a woman who’d always worked for her living Honey did not think this was impertinent at all. But she did not know who could accompany him on such a journey. “I’d offer my own services, but I’m afraid I only arrived here a few days ago, myself. But I will see what I can arrange.”
The door opened and it was Hume who answered the bell so she turned Heyworth over to her butler and went to look for some answers.
Chapter Thirty-One
Simon felt as weak as a baby bird, but at least the incessant drumming had gone away. It had stopped sometime in the middle of last night, but he’d still managed to lose his breakfast of weak tea and toast half an hour after eating it. So, he’d stayed in bed until noon, when he could stand the boredom no longer.
“I will have a bath, Peel,” he’d said over his servant’s mild demur. “The pain has gone. For now. And I have abandoned my bride for days. It is time I was up.”
That had proved more arduous than it sounded. It had taken a good two hours before he was ready to leave his chambers and he was just donning his coat when there was a light knock on the door.
“Come,” he called, waving away Peel when he would have buttoned Simon’s coat, as if he were a boy of five.
His wife peeked through the small gap and Simon smiled. “Come in, Honoria. Why did you not use our connecting door?”
She stepped inside, her face taut and stiff, the way it had been before they’d become lovers.
Simon took her hand and kissed her palm. “You are a sight for sore eyes, my dear.”
She blushed but remained stiff. “Are you well?”
“Yes, the pain has passed.” He tucked a stray stand of hair back behind her ear. “I’m sorry to have abandoned you. You’ll be thinking me a poor, sickly thing.”
“Of course I don’t. I’m glad you are feeling better.”
“And I’m glad you came to me.”
She dropped her eyes, suddenly shy, as if the weeks in Brighton had not happened.