Chapter Twenty-Two #2
Adler gave him a look of disbelief. ‘I read it. And I can assure you, the pompous wives of the nobility read it, as well. And besides, didn’t you marry in order to avoid a scandal?’
His friend had a point. ‘Let me see for myself.’ He snatched the paper from Adler’s hands and read the column with rising dismay. He may be a married man, but the Tatler had wide distribution and his bill had yet to pass. As for his future and Nora’s…
‘Ralston!’
He turned at the sharp tone across the coffee house to see Lord Weber approach their table. A sliver of dread settled low in his gut. Had his nemesis read the column and was he here to gloat? Or worse, did he see an opportunity to strike?
Weber halted before them, and his mouth twisted in a crocodile smile. It didn’t look good. ‘A word alone, Ralston.’
Adler let out a sarcastic huff. ‘Fine. I would not want to get between you two old chaps.’ He looked at Ralston. ‘I’ll order for you.’
Weber took Adler’s seat. His gaze went to the paper on the table. ‘I see you read the Tatler.’
Ralston’s response held a note of impatience. ‘Is that why you’re here? To gloat?’
‘Your wife visited mine this morning,’ Weber said.
For the second time that day, he was caught off guard. He thought of why the two women would get together once more. Perhaps Nora enjoyed Lady Weber’s companionship and the two had gone out to Gunther’s for ices or taken a stroll in Hyde Park. ‘My wife’s social calendar is her own.’
Weber’s voice was cold and direct. ‘Then I suggest you ask her about it. I happened to be on my way out when I overheard the ladies talking. Your wife told mine that she plans to leave for the Continent with a scientific group.’
Ralston’s chest tightened and his jaw went slack. ‘What? You’re lying.’
‘Why would I lie?’
He could think of a dozen reasons, but looking into Weber’s eyes he sensed the man was telling the truth. And as far as he knew, Nora had not been invited to travel. If so, surely, she would have told him.
Unless…
His thoughts turned back to the day of her presentation to the Society. The female scientist had asked to meet with Nora privately. Nora had said the lady was interested in seeing her notes. Yet, the scientist had not yet paid a visit to follow through.
Ralston clenched his teeth.
‘I thought you should know,’ Weber said. ‘I won’t stand in the way of your bill. As for myself, I’m not foolish enough to upset my own wife. Enjoy your coffee.’ Weber rose and walked away.
Adler rejoined him. ‘Well? What did he say?’
‘That Nora is leaving the country to study with scientists. I need to go.’ Ralston rose, ignoring Adler’s shocked expression. He couldn’t waste another moment. He rushed out of the coffee house and hailed his driver.
When the carriage stopped in the circular drive, he rushed inside and barked at his butler. ‘Where’s Lady Ralston?’
‘Her science room, your lordship. Should I—’
Ralston rushed past his startled butler, sprinted up the stairs, and knocked on her door.
No answer.
He opened it to find it empty. His wife’s notebook lay open on her desk. That was unusual. She was usually neat and stored her notebooks in the corner in a tidy pile. He walked forward and glanced at her writings.
He froze.
A line in the center of the paper distinguished a list of pros and cons. He knew just what she’d been deciding. He pictured his wife sitting here, thinking logically, and writing down her thoughts. Italy. A year. The words were scrawled at the top of the list.
Seven pros.
Zero cons.
Lord Weber was right. Nora was going to join a group of like-minded scientists as they departed for the Continent.
It was like a punch to the gut.
He staggered back on the Oriental carpet, catching himself on the microscope table. His breathing was ragged. Had she made up her mind? Clearly, by her list, she had. When was she going to tell him?
Could he blame her for wanting to go? She’d never kept her ambitions a secret. He knew her goals before they married. She’d told him. She’d fulfilled one goal: she’d presented to the Society. She’d done well and now they wanted more from her.
Still, a sickening sense of betrayal swelled in his chest. Why didn’t she tell him first? Why did he have to hear it from his lifelong rival, Weber? After all they’d shared, he thought he meant more to his wife. Damnit, she’d learned how to cook for him.
Was it simply tit for tat? And did he have a right to protest?
They’d agreed to a marriage of convenience.
He’d wanted to avoid scandal and had convinced her to marry.
He’d followed through with his promises.
She had done the same. Now that her dreams were coming true, had she decided she no longer needed him?
And what of the heir? He could insist she stay until an heir was conceived. She, in turn, could argue she’d conceive when she returned. He could not force her to remain. And if she decided not to return? Or to find an Italian lover? That was a much more likely scenario.
His distrust of women returned in a rush.
He was a fool. His first fiancée had cheated on him and lied about him being the father of her baby.
Now his wife’s betrayal was worse, much worse.
She’d used him to advance her career and was going to leave him without a backward glance. Her notes proved it, didn’t they?
Closing the door to her science room, he went to his study, poured himself a glass of whisky and sat in front of the fireplace.
Two hours later, he heard the front door open and rose. It was time to have a reckoning with his wife.