Pursuing Miss Hall by Karen Thornell
Chapter Fourteen
Nathan and his parents returned to Hall Manor that evening. He was not sure what would come of his conversation with Sir Robert, but he felt lighter knowing he had finally taken back a small amount of control in his pursuit of Meg. Hopefully tonight he would be able to speak with her and apologize for his horrible actions. He had not seen her in days, and a part of him craved her presence in a way that was rather depressing to his manhood.
Still, he craned his head in the drawing room, seeking her out. But she had not arrived.
“Come. Greet Lord and Lady Hall, Nathaniel,” his mother murmured.
Yes, she was right. He still needed to endear himself to Meg’s mother, more so now than ever, after she’d clearly told him she wished Meg to marry Lord Hatfield, then he’d gone and ignored that wish. They crossed the room and offered their respective bows and curtsies.
“Lady Hall, your house party seems to have been a success thus far,” Nathan’s mother offered.
“Thank you,” Lady Hall responded graciously. “These past weeks have been wonderful, have they not? I am grateful that the rainstorm has so far been our only mishap.”
“Indeed.”
Nathan dug around in his head for something to add to the conversation, but he could not keep his mind or his focus off the doorway. The understanding smile Sir Robert gave him when he caught his eye did not help Nathan’s concentration.
He felt her presence before he saw her and turned instinctively back to the doorway that she had, in fact, just entered through. Meg looked dazzling in a green dress the exact shade of her eyes, with her hair swept up in an elegant gathering of curls. He waited for her gaze to sweep the room and land on him, but instead, the back of Lord Hatfield’s head filled his vision. The little he could see of Meg’s responding smile to the man’s approach caused Nathan’s happiness to sour.
Lady Hall called the company to adjourn to the dining room, and his mother nudged him in the side. Lord Hatfield had already offered his arm to Meg, who’d accepted, so Nathan looked about. His gaze landed on the elder Miss Parking, and he offered to take her in.
Her exuberant gratitude gave him a headache.
By the time the second course was served, Nathan was nearly ready to bludgeon the roast duck they were to have. He was more than halfway down the table, and Meg had not looked at him once. She and the viscount had monopolized each other’s attention entirely. Nathan nearly stood and threw his pudding across the table at the insufferable viscount by the time dessert arrived.
A terrifying thought occurred to him as he watched Meg’s retreating figure join the ladies in the drawing room. Had her father informed her of his visit? Was this her answer?
With that fear let loose within him, he nearly jumped to his feet when Sir Robert suggested they rejoin the women. Lord Hatfield came fluidly to a stand, offering Nathan a commiserating and condescending glance as he smoothly elbowed his way past him.
Nathan was having none of it.
He pushed past the ridiculous dandy into the drawing room and headed straight for Meg, who sat conversing with Miss Evans on a pair of chairs near the windows. Luckily, Mr. Parking followed him, and instead of attempting to claim Meg’s attention, he requested that Miss Evans join him for a turn about the room. She accepted, and Nathan hurriedly took her vacated seat.
“You appear anxious. Is everything well?” Meg asked, her voice strangely formal.
Nathan forced himself to relax slightly, shooting a glance at Lord Hatfield, who was conversing with his mother while also sending Nathan and Meg bored looks. “Yes, well, are you not anxious to see me as well?” he joked. “It has been, after all, nearly four days since we were last . . . together.” He gulped, suddenly remembering how their last conversation had gone. This one seemed to be going in a similarly fantastic fashion. “It has to be a record for us.”
“Yes.” She eyed him. “But you were here just this afternoon, were you not?”
Ah. So she did know. And judging by her response, she was not pleased. Pain lanced across his chest, pulling it tight and making it hard to speak. “I was indeed.”
She nodded, looking away. What was he to say?
Lord Hatfield chose that opportune time to swoop in and request she play him a song. Nathan remained in his seat, scowling, as she stood with a smile of acceptance. It had been over ninety-six hours since he had received a smile from her. She’d brought up his visit, and the only way she’d know of it was if her father had informed her. She must, then, know the reason for it. Clearly, she disapproved.
And just like that, the small, flickering flame of hope that he had harbored was snuffed out, pitching his entire being into darkness.