Chapter 19
The next morning, Tilda walked into the parlor to await Hadrian’s arrival.
Her grandmother looked up from reading the newspaper, her gaze fixing on Tilda over the top of her spectacles. “Off to make more inquiries?”
“We are.” Tilda drew on her gloves.
“I’m glad you were able to set all that aside last night. That was such a lovely dinner, except for Lord Courtenay.” Grandmama sniffed. “I found him rather insufferable.”
Tilda chuckled. “Yes, Grandmama, you said as much in the coach last night.” Leach had driven them home after dinner.
“It bears repeating,” Grandmama said with a shrug. “I may do so yet again. You handled him very well, as you did everything that transpired. I’m terribly sorry about that fish bone.”
“I’m relieved it wasn’t truly stuck.” Tilda gave her a reassuring smile. Occasionally, her grandmother would feel a fish bone going down her throat and start coughing uncontrollably. In most instances, the bone wasn’t actually stuck; it had just tickled on the way down.
“I’m glad you were there to help ease my discomfort. And Lady Courtenay was so very kind too. She seemed to like you.”
“I liked her too.” Tilda had enjoyed her conversation with Hadrian’s sister.
Grandmama regarded her for a moment with a twinkle in her eyes. “I hope you don’t mind my saying so, but you would make a very fine countess.”
“You may be alone in that sentiment,” Tilda said wryly. She went to stand before the mirror hanging over the mantel to adjust her hat.
“Nonsense, I’m sure I’m not the only person who thinks that. You must agree.”
Tilda could see her grandmother’s expectant expression in the reflection of the mirror. She seemed eager and confident, as if she thought she knew something. Or perhaps she only suspected something.
Tilda turned from the mirror and took a few steps toward her grandmother. “What are you hoping I’ll say? That someone else has said I’ll make a good countess too, or that I think I will?”
Grandmama pursed her lips, then threw her hands up. “I saw you and his lordship holding hands in the coach the other night when I pretended to be asleep.”
“You pretended to be asleep?” Heat rose up Tilda’s neck, and she hoped she wouldn’t flush bright red.
“I was asleep at first,” Grandmama explained.
“However, I woke up at some point and noticed you holding hands. And, well, I didn’t want to interrupt.
” She smiled. “It was incredibly sweet. It appears to me the two of you may be falling in love. Don’t protest.” She shook her hand at Tilda before letting it fall to her lap.
“I’ve watched you over the last several months as you’ve grown closer.
You can deny it, but you won’t just be lying to me, you’ll be lying to yourself as well. ”
Tilda blew out a breath. There could be no better time to confess. Furthermore, if she didn’t say something now, her grandmother would be upset and hurt that Tilda had kept the truth from her.
“As it happens, Hadrian and I have very recently formed a romantic attachment. We are exploring a private courtship. I haven’t wanted to say anything because I’m not sure how this will proceed.”
Her grandmother’s eyes lit with joy, and she pressed her hands to her cheeks as they flushed. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I’m glad, but you mustn’t interfere. Please, Grandmama.
I do love Hadrian, and he loves me, but I just don’t know if I want to be a countess.
It’s a great deal to consider. I would have to abandon my career, and I don’t want to do that.
And what would happen to you?” Tilda couldn’t abandon her either.
“I can’t leave you here by yourself in this household. ”
“Oh, we could manage all that,” her grandmother said without concern. “But you’re right, it is a great deal to consider. You must be sure this is what you want.”
Tilda felt an incredible relief, as if a stone had been removed from around her neck. “Thank you, Grandmama. It means so much to me that you would say that.”
Her grandmother’s eyes clouded. “I hope you don’t feel pressured to make a decision.
I don’t want to contribute to that. I’m delighted for you, because you know how much I love you, and you know I would like to see you settled before I’m gone.
I have to say that I’ve fallen in love with Lord Ravenhurst too, though not in the same way you have, of course. ”
Tilda couldn’t help laughing.
“He’s a wonderful man, and the two of you are wonderful together,” her grandmother went on. “I will support you no matter what you choose.”
Tilda went to her grandmother and bent down to hug her tightly. “Thank you, Grandmama,” She felt surprisingly emotional.
“It’s really too bad he’s an earl,” her grandmother said. “It would make things much easier if he weren’t.”
Tilda laughed again as she stepped away, basking in the mirth in her grandmother’s eyes.
“Since he is an earl, I’ll have to make do.
” She glanced out the window and realized Hadrian’s coach was outside, then heard Vaughn open the door.
“He’s here.” Tilda leaned down and kissed her grandmother’s cheek. “I love you, Grandmama,” she whispered.
“I love you too, dear,” she whispered back.
Hadrian stepped into the parlor as Tilda walked toward him. “Good morning, Mrs. Wren.”
“Good morning, my lord. I must thank you again for last night. It was simply delightful, and I’m dreadfully sorry I almost ruined everything with that salmon, most of all because it was thoroughly delicious.”
“You brightened the entire evening,” Hadrian said with a kind smile. “You are welcome anytime.”
Hadrian escorted Tilda through the entrance hall and outside. As Tilda stepped into the coach, she put the conversation with her grandmother from her mind. She would tell Hadrian about it another time. At this moment, she wanted to concentrate on the investigation.
To that end, Tilda spoke before Hadrian could bring up last night’s dinner.
“I have the brass cap with me in case you’d like to touch it with your bare hand.
Though, I understand if you’d rather wait until after our visit to the Albion, in case your ability is needed there.
” Yesterday, he hadn’t used his power because they hadn’t even gone backstage at the Albion, and the Adelphi hadn’t offered an opportunity.
She fixed him with an intent stare. “I don’t want you to become overwhelmed today.”
“Nor do I. I think waiting to handle the cap until after we visit the Albion is a good idea.” He held her gaze as he smiled softly. “I hope you enjoyed yourself last night, despite my brother-in-law.”
Tilda should have known she wouldn’t be able to avoid the topic. “It was very nice. The meal was wonderful. My grandmother couldn’t stop talking about the charlotte russe.”
Hadrian chuckled. “Mrs. Rowe loves strawberry season. I had fresh jam on my scone this morning. There is truly nothing finer.” His features grew serious. “I do hope you enjoyed yourself and aren’t just saying so. Courtenay was incredibly obnoxious, bordering on rude.”
“I liked your sister.” Tilda preferred to ignore his brother-in-law.
“Did she persuade you to try riding a horse?” Hadrian asked with interest. He’d offered to teach her at one point, and Tilda tried to remember how she’d responded. Perhaps she’d said she’d think about it.
“Is it required that I ride horses if our courtship is to progress?” She was joking. Mostly.
“Not at all. But I agree with my sister. I think you might actually enjoy riding, and I also know you can accomplish anything to which you dedicate your energy.” He held up his hand briefly. “But I have no expectations. My offer stands and always will, if you decide you would like to ride.”
“I’d prefer to learn to drive, actually.”
Hadrian regarded her with a hopeful sparkle in his eye. “I could arrange that too.”
Tilda began to think about driving—perhaps a small pony carriage.
She’d no interest in anything as fussy as a park phaeton.
But keeping livestock was terribly expensive.
She would have to rent a space in a mews stable, as well as hire a groom to look after the animals as well as the vehicle to keep it in good working order.
As if she could afford any of that. Not now, but perhaps someday…
In the end, it was likely easier to continue as she was, provided she did continue as she was: an unmarried spinster, private detective, living independently.
That had been her dream, and now it was realized.
She might not be able to afford a pony carriage, but she earned enough to not fear they would end up in a workhouse.
However, fate had cast something else in her path instead.
Something she’d never expected—the temptation to partner and, because she was a woman, be dependent upon someone else.
Perhaps that was where some of her reticence came from.
She was struggling to relinquish the independence she’d fought so hard to achieve.
“What are you pondering?” Hadrian studied her intently.
“That I might like to learn to drive and have my own vehicle. Would you be in favor of that?”
“I’m not sure my opinion matters.” His tone was diplomatic and perhaps a bit uncertain. “Unless you’re asking me in the context of a future in which we’re together.”
Tilda exhaled. “We must stop dancing around this question of our future. You know I am considering things.”
“Yes, I do,” he said solemnly. “That’s one of the reasons I wanted you to come to dinner last night. To meet more of my family and decide if being my wife is a space you can occupy.”
“If last night was all there was to being your countess, I would be delighted. However, we both know it’s more than that, and I don’t even know how we can have a proper courtship. It’s not as if I have invitations where we will attend events together.”