Page 20 of To Have & To Hold

Charlotte nodded as she slipped through the open door. “Men get to have all the fun.”

Oliver shook his head in amusement, but when he turned back to Nathaniel, his expression had sobered.

“Nathaniel, what happened last night?” Oliver’s eyes held the amount of care and concern that could only be felt by someone who had known Nathaniel his entire life.

Oliver knew more than anyone the responsibilities Nathaniel held and the pressure that was on him to carry themall without faltering. Last night would not have only ruined Emilia’s reputation, but it would have put cracks into the very foundation of everything he had spent the last sixteen years of his life building.

“I truly do not know,” Nathaniel admitted. “I saw her again, and it was as though things just started happening around me and I had no control over what I was saying or doing.”

“What do you mean again?” Oliver’s brow furrowed. “Had you met Lady Talbot prior to last evening?”

Nathaniel sighed heavily. He had revealed more than he had intended, but the weight that lifted from his chest at finally speaking the truth loosened his tongue. If there was one person in this world he could trust, it was Oliver Blackburn.

He glanced over his shoulder towards the breakfast room door to ensure it was closed before continuing. “You can not tell Charlotte,” he whispered. “If she finds out, it will only encourage her romantic fantasies.”

Oliver leaned back in his chair again and smirked. “This is going to be good.”

“It was two summers ago, after Sarah ended our engagement.” Nathaniel began, ignoring his friend’s remarks.

He would most likely regret sharing the story later, but right now needed to have a clear mind before meeting with Lord and Lady Moorfield. Perhaps speaking it all out loud wouldbe beneficial.

“I needed some time alone, so I sent Charlotte to stay with Adeline, but I could not bring myself to sit at Rosemore Hall alone.”

“And you had forbidden me from coming to stay with you, forcing me upon the Fenwicks,” Oliver interjected.

Nathaniel narrowed his gaze at him. That summer with Sarah and Matthew at Sommerton had led to Oliver falling hopelessly in love with his wife. “You should be thanking me for that.”

“I am forever indebted to you, Your Grace.” Oliver smiled. “Please continue.”

Nathaniel shook his head. “I returned to London,” he continued, letting his eyes fall closed as memories from that summer came flooding back.

He had kept to himself, even more so than usual. He had seen no one, and as far as he was aware, no one had known he was in town. But as he sat in the study of his townhouse for those few weeks, listening to the bustle of life pass him by on the streets below, it had seemed less lonely than complete isolation at his empty estate.

“One morning, I was on the Thames…”

“Swimming?” Oliver raised a brow.

“Rowing,” Nathaniel corrected. “And suddenly she was there.”

“In your boat?” Oliver questioned.

“In the river.”

“Swimming?”

“Drowning,” Nathaniel’s jaw clenched, trying to hide the frustration from his voice, but also couldn’t help the flicker of amusement he felt; Oliver hadn’t changed at all.

“Where did she come from?” Oliver asked, leaning an elbow on the table.

“I do not know,” Nathaniel shook his head. “It was raining and foggy. I could barely see a few feet in front of me. I heard splashing, and when I got close enough to realize there was someone in the water, I jumped in. I swam her to shore, but there was no one else there. She was completely alone, entirely ungrateful, and ran off immediately. I never thought I would ever see her again. I did not even know her name until last night.”

Oliver’s lips pressed together as he nodded slowly, as if he was trying to piece together all the little parts of this unusual puzzle. “Why did you follow her into the garden?”

Nathaniel rubbed a hand over his face. “ I thought she was Charlotte,” he murmured. “The dresses they were wearing were nearly identical. When I was speaking to you and Grace, I thought I saw Charlotte sneaking out onto the terrace….”

“But it was Lady Talbot.”

Nathaniel nodded again. “The moment I realized she was not Charlotte, I should have returned to the ball. But I was so shocked when I realized who she was, I could not bring myself to leave.”