Just then, louder voices spiked through the peace and heat of the butterfly house. A thin, reedy voice pleading while a masculine voice grunted replies.
“I do not understand what I have done wrong,” said the feminine voice. “Why will you not hold my hand? Why are you being so cold? I can give the necklace back. We shall do it right now if you please. I only bought it because you told me to. I do not want it.”
“If you do not want it, why did you fritter my money on it?” came the harsh reply. “I am not your father, Dorothy; I will not tend to your every whim and fancy, and if you do not like it, you may return to him.”
A panicked cry scared off a cluster of butterflies. “Do not say such things! What have I done, Jonathan? What have I done to make you so angry with me?”
A strange sensation slithered through Nathaniel’s veins as if his blood was curdling, lumps of bitter memory crumbling into his stomach. He had heard someone else say such things a long time ago, had watched another woman cling to the hand of an uncaring man, begging for explanation, and had listened to another woman’s tears of frustration.
The couple rounded the corner before Nathaniel could even think to remove Leah from the situation.
“Now, now, what is this?” Jonathan’s silky voice declared, coming to a halt. “Are you searching for a new adornment for Lord Haughton’s ball on Friday, Lady Leah? It would be quite the scene if you were to appear with a live butterfly in your hair. Or dead.”
Nathaniel put himself in front of Leah, meeting the one-eyed gaze of Jonathan. His other eye was covered by an eyepatch, hiding some of the bruises that Nathaniel had put there for Leah’s sake. “Goodness, did you have a disagreement with a particularly cantankerous horse?”
“Pardon?” Jonathan’s lip curled.
“You cannot be oblivious to the state of your face, Lord Chesterwood,” Nathaniel replied, not feeling even the tiniest speck of guilt.
Dorothy gripped her husband’s arm with a desperation that Nathaniel knew all too well. “He fell from his horse,” she said urgently. “A terrible accident.”
“I did not,” Jonathan snapped. “Why must you keep telling such lies, and lies that make me sound feeble-minded at that?”
Dorothy dropped her gaze. “Apologies, my love.”
“I was robbed,” Jonathan said, trying to free his arm from his wife’s vise-like hold. “Eight thieves set upon me in the night, stole everything, but I imagine a few of them look just as bad as I do.”
Nathaniel snorted involuntarily. “Eight? Come now, I think it might beyouwho is lying.”
“I heard the debt collectors did it,” Leah said abruptly, coming out from behind Nathaniel with a look of pure mischief upon her face. “Or is that what you meant by thieves, Jonathan? I can well imagine you would mistake debt collectors for thieves when they were taking your things to pay what was owed.”
Jonathan looked as if he had been punched again. “What did you say?”
“Oh, shall I announce it louder?” Leah replied, smiling.
Jonathan cleared his throat. “No, I believe I heard you. Of course, you are mistaken, but I heard you. There is nothing amiss with my finances. Indeed, a shipment of spices arrived just yesterday which is why we are celebrating today. Is that not so, darling Dorothy?”
“Pardon?” Dorothy blinked up at him, clearly confused.
“She does not understand these things as you do not,” Jonathan said, turning a sour smile toward Leah. “There were no debt collectors, only the gentlemen who came to collect our donations for the poorhouses.”
Dorothy made a small noise of understanding. “Yes, that is quite right. My darling Jonathan does so much for the poor.”
“Actually, speaking of business, it is rather fortuitous that I should run into you, Your Grace.” Jonathan gestured at Nathaniel. “I had hoped to arrange a meeting regarding a few speculations that have fallen into my lap, and though I possess enough wealth to enter into such things alone, it would be remiss of me not to share the opportunity.”
Nathaniel stifled another snort. “It is not a graphite mine by any chance, is it?”
“How do you—?” Jonathan stalled. “So, you have already heard the good news. A seam has been found in Northumberland. I intend to turn that graphite into solid gold if you are interested in joining the endeavor?”
Nathaniel shook his head. “Do you recall the last time you tried to involve me in your business endeavors?”
“I am afraid I do not,” Jonathan replied, his good eye twitching.
“Ah, well allow me to remind you what I said then, for nothing has changed—it would be an irresponsible speculation. I do not even need to know the details to know that,” Nathaniel said. “Do you, at least, remember my friend Daniel?”
Jonathan’s nostrils flared. “He has done nothing but hinder my progress, but yes, I remember him.”
“Well, he and I do perfectly well together in our joint ventures. I do not require any others.” Nathaniel paused for dramatic effect. “Why, you ought to speak to him, for his advice is invaluable. He has made countless gentlemen wealthier than Midas if that is your concern?”
