Chapter Nineteen #2
“Unfortunately,” he added, “the first part is sad news. I have received word from my estate of a difficulty that must be seen to immediately.” He turned his full attention to Mater. “I have to leave within the hour.”
He was leaving. Within the hour. Arabella tried to swallow, but her throat felt too tight. A stinging started at the back of her eyes.
“Oh, that is sad news.” Mater’s mouth turned down in disappointment. “It cannot possibly be put off?”
“I spoke with my brothers-in-law as well as your two oldest sons, they having more estate experience than I do, and all four agreed that I must go personally and that time is rather of the essence.”
Mater and Lady Lampton both expressed their disappointment. Arabella could not quite find words.
He was leaving.
There would be no returning to their earlier friendship, no chance of pursuing something beyond. She’d not admitted to it before, but she had hoped for that. She still did.
“What is the second part of your gossip?” Mater asked. “Is it sad as well?”
“It might be a little for you,” he said. “But on the whole, I believe it is good.”
“You certainly have me intrigued,” Lady Lampton said.
“I have presented an idea to your eldest son,” he said, “one he finds acceptable enough for me to bring here to you.” He paused only a moment. “I wish to take Charlie to Shropshire with me.”
“Charlie?” Mater clearly found that as surprising as Arabella did.
“I have enjoyed his company during this house party. He is a good and sensible young man, but he is also a little lost.” Linus’s tone softened ever further.
“I believe he could benefit from some time spent out of the shadows cast by his brothers, and I suspect he needs a little guidance, something he seems very reluctant to seek from any of those brothers.”
“He would likely land himself in one pickle after another,” Mater warned. “That can be a lot to deal with.”
Linus looked unconcerned. “I firmly believe a lot of his mischief arises from boredom. There is work aplenty to be done on my estate. He will be very busy, but he will also be the only other one there, and I think that is what he needs just now.”
Mater wove her hands together, then lifted her intertwined fingers to her lips, thinking. Arabella watched her, ready to provide support if this discussion proved too much for her weakened constitution. She ought to have known that this formidable lady was made of sterner stuff.
“Being the youngest has always been difficult for him,” Mater said.
“I think more so now that they are all grown and he is very nearly as well. They are successful, respected, and, in many ways, very important in their various spheres. That is, as you said, a large shadow to try to escape.” Mater lowered her hands to her lap.
“I have struggled to know how I might help him. Philip has tried, but his efforts are hampered by the fact that he is unwittingly part of the problem.”
“I know Charlie needs to return to Cambridge when the new term begins,” Linus said. “I will see to it that he does. But I believe he will benefit greatly from time away from both his studies and his, for lack of a better word, insecurities.”
“You would do that for our Charlie?” Mater’s voice broke a little.
“Do not ascribe to me too many selfless motivations,” he said, his voice lightening, no doubt in response to her tone of concern.
“His company will do me good as well. My estate is very empty and a little lonely. Charlie feels he has too much family nearby, while I very much wonder why I have none at all.”
Mater reached over and patted his hand. “We will miss both of you as our party winds to its conclusion, but I believe this is for the best.”
“I agree,” he said.
“Have a safe journey,” Lady Lampton said. “Don’t let Charlie drive the coach.”
Linus laughed and dipped his head, then turned slowly to face Arabella. “Might I beg a moment, Miss Hampton?”
She had not been expecting that. A little perplexed, she walked with him to the door and a single step into the corridor.
“You seem to be relinquishing your membership in our club, Captain Hampton.”
“Whatever do you mean, Lieutenant Lancaster?”
He motioned back through the open doorway. “This is not a gathering in which you appear to be an outsider. It seems to me you are finding your place amongst this family.”
“I believe I am.” The realization struck her in that moment. “I truly am.”
Unmistakable relief entered his eyes. “I am beyond pleased. You deserve all of the happiness in the world, Miss Hampton.”
“What about you? You will be alone at your estate.”
He smiled. “I will have Charlie. According to his family, that will keep me very busy.”
“He will return to school soon,” she reminded him.
“By then, I fully intend to have implemented your excellent advice and have found a means of making the life of an estate owner and man of the land suit me better.”
“You will be happy?” she pressed.
“I will be happy.”
There was some consolation in that. He was leaving, but he was leaving more hopeful than he had arrived.
He took her hand. She willed her heart to calm as he raised it to his lips. He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. She held her breath.
Linus stepped back, relinquishing her hand. “Goodbye, Miss Hampton,” he said and walked away.
With those three words, he broke her heart.