Chapter 15
Fifteen
Nicoll wanted to argue that she wouldn’t regret anything that she did with Cecil, but she knew that he wouldn’t believe her. And the fact that he was only rejecting her because of honor made her fall even deeper in love with him.
A love they would never share.
“I do apologize for any insult. It was not my intention.”
“I know.” He smiled and crossed to the sideboard. “Would you care for a brandy?”
And just like that, they returned to how they had been before she had asked to be seduced.
Nicoll’s heart ached for him, and it likely always would, but she was glad for what they did share and these nights would be treasured.
They had returned to what was once shared. Not all of what he wanted but only what he allowed himself to take.
Only days remained until she was gone and he had a decision that must be made.
Did he dare confess his heart to her? Was there any chance that she might return his affection beyond a desire to be bedded?
Could Nicoll one day love him?
He stepped into Whites and immediately passed Retford who held a self-satisfied grin.
His stomach tightened.
Cecil nearly followed to ask what had him pleased but would not give the man the satisfaction.
Instead, he joined his brother, Nevill.
“What do you think Retford is about? He seemed quite pleased with himself.”
“He was just going on about he had managed something nobody else could,” Nevill answered.
“What would that be?”
“He managed to convince the Court of Chancery to deliver a ruling on a petition he filled not even a month ago. He is to receive his answer within a few days.”
As Retford was not a barrister and was unlikely to have any other pleadings before the Chancery, Cecil excused himself without an explanation and returned to his offices within the Inns of Court.
Nicoll would soon lose her home, and her sisters. He had truly believed that the ship would sail before the Court of Chancery even thought to read Retford’s petition, let alone act on it. And there was nothing he could do…except…
He settled behind his desk and withdrew parchment and began writing a pleading to counter the one Retford presented. He reviewed the pleading that had been filed and wrote arguments as to why it should not be granted and offered an alternative.
Cecil read over it three times, made corrections and rewrote sections until he was pleased, then prepared a clean copy, without errors. By the time he had finished, it was well past midnight and even though he assumed that Nicoll would have given up and gone to bed, he visited her home anyway.
The window was locked and there were no lights in the parlor.
Disappointment filled him, but he left and returned to his office where he slept, then awakened when his clerk arrived.
Then, as soon as the Court of Chancery unlocked their doors, he presented his petition and asked that it be reviewed and considered at the same time as Retford’s, then returned home where he sought what rest that he could, then dressed and called on Nicoll that afternoon.
“What has happened?” she asked after she had told the servant to grant him entrance.
He nodded to her sisters who were present and taking tea, therefore, he could not explain why he had not come by at midnight, as he had been doing.
“Excuse me, Miss Nicoll, but Lord Retford has also come to call.”
Her grey eyes widened further as the color left her cheeks.
“Nicoll, you said that you trust me. Does that still hold true?”
She nodded.
“Then trust me in this. I will explain the whole of it, or the reason for the actions I have taken after he is gone.”
“Are you at home to Lord Retford,” the footman asked.
“Yes,” she whispered as fear filled her silver eyes.
Cecil took a deep breath and stepped to the side and away from the door so that he was not the first person Retford saw when he entered the room.
Nicoll stared at him. Cecil nodded and offered an encouraging smile.