It has come to This Author's attention that Lord Howard—Lady Catherine's husband is dead. It was said that he died from a fall from his horse near his estate.
This Author cannot begin to imagine how Lady Catherine—his wife who is the daughter of Lady Harrington feels. Becoming a widow less than a year of marriage seems like the worst thing to ever occur.
This Author offers her deepest condolences to the Harrington family as well as the Howard family.....
Lady Ravenscroft's Society Papers, Special Edition 29 April 1812.
By the time Lady Ravenscroft's special edition reached out, all of Mayfair knew about the tragedy that had befall the Harrington's and everyone was visiting the family to offer their condolences...
Each greeting from people that Nicholas rarely converse with made him spiral.
It felt like the time when his father had died.
The pity didn't stop and he could not begin to imagine what Catherine is going through especially when he knew about how much the two had loved each other.
Everyone in Mayfair knew about the tragedy and that included the Beaumont household.
"It is such a shame," Lady Beaumont said as she set the special edition paper of Lady Ravenscroft down. "Lord Howard was such a nice man."
"It was clear that he loved his wife clearly. Poor Catherine." Hiliary said with a sad expression.
Helena did not know the man but her mind seem to spiral to how the Viscount is fairing at the moment.
"Lady Morribel is here, My Lady." The butler—John, announced before Lady Beaumont gave permission for him to allow her in.
"Good evening, Lady Beaumont." Lady Morribel said as she enter the room.
"Evening Lady Morribel."
"I was hoping Miss Helena would accompany me to the Harrington's estate." She said as she glance at Helena.
Helena looked at her with a frown, she didn't want to impose on the situation at hand and it was clear to anyone that Lady Morribel wanted her to be there because of Nicholas.
"Nicholas is all alone and it might seem that he needs someone to talk to." She explained to clear her doubts.
"And you think I am in the best position for that?"
"Amelia is not around, Benedict and Iris accompanied his mother to Catherine's," she said as she walk to her side."Felicity and Hazel cannot do anything and the rest of his siblings are in Oxford and Eton. Need I go on?" She asked with a frown.
"I shall grab my shawl." Helena simply replied.
The ride to the Harrington's estate was short and silent, Helena could not say anything to Lady Morribel as her mind was somewhere else.
"You are the only person I could think of when it comes to soothing Nicholas," Lady Morribel began as the carriage is about to arrive at the estate. "Nicholas was very close to Lord Howard. He is his best friend even before Catherine got married to him."
"That makes the situation much more awful." She replied.
"My concern is for Nicholas not to go through what happened when his father died."
"What happened?"
"A lot," she said with a sigh. "He became closed off, rarely converse with friends and even his family. Amelia said something about him having a panic attack."
"That seems awful."
"It is. Being a Viscount, a lot of people expect one to shoulder responsibilities far more than one can handle. I remember when his father died, he was sixteen and was suddenly expected to handle the affairs of the family without grieving and now his best friend is dead."
The carriage stopped in front of the Harrington estate and Helena could not help but take a deep breath.
The entire house was silent almost as if no one was inside when the two walked in until they enter the common room and met Felicity and Hazel with Nicholas no where in sight.
"Lady Morribel!" Hazel said as she run to give her a hug.
"My dear," she said as she head to sit down opposite Felicity who offered her a drink. "How are you fairing?"
"I wished I had followed Mama to see Catherine."
"Do you think Catherine will be fine?" Felicity asked.
"It is a hard thing to go through but your mother and siblings are with her," she said with a sad smile. "She will eventually be fine."
"And this is..." Hazel trail off.
"Helena Beaumont." Helena introduced herself to which the young girl crack a smile.
"I was telling brother before the awful news that we need to meet," she said with a smile. "I am Hazel and this is Felicity." She introduced as she shake hands with Helena.
"And where is that brother of yours?" Lady Morribel asked as her eyes scanned her environment.
"In his study." Felicity provided.
"He has not left there since last night." Hazel said with a frown.
"I can imagine," she said as she drink from the tea in front of her. "Why don't you show Miss Beaumont to his study so that they can talk." She said to which Hazel quickly offered.
The walk through the stairs was not a silent one.
"He has not spoken to anyone ever since the news came through." Hazel said. "Miss Beaumont, may I be blunt?" She asked making Helena smile as she remember how the Viscount had been when they were in her father's study.
"Yes."
"From what my brother had said about you, he seem to really like you or at least I think so," she said as they take a corner. The house is really huge. "And I believe you are the person who will crack him."
"Crack him?" Helena asked on her choice of words.
"More like help him with his emotions, I think." She said as the two of them reach a door which Helena sense is his study. "The last time he cried according to Ben was when Father died and ever since then he has been suppressing his emotions, something that I love and hate about him at the same time. Lord Howard is a very close friend of his even before his marriage to Catherine. I am scared that he might be thinking it was his fault for not delaying them when they came for a hunt." She explained and Helena could only stare at the young girl.
It was clear that the young girl admire her older brother and will do anything for him. She love her brother and that show very clearly.
"Do not let him know about our conversation," she said "before he starts bothering me about loving him."
"My lips are sealed."
"Told him we are going to be great friends." She mumbled before knocking on the door.
The silence was jarring as there was no response from the other side, Hazel start to tap her foot impatiently before barging into the said room.
"Nicholas!!!"she yelled as she walked in to her brother on his chair who is pouring himself a drink.
"Have Mother not told to knock before entering?" He asked without glancing up.
"I did but you did not answer and I got impatient."
"What do you want?"
"Miss Helena is here and Lady Morribel asked me to bring her here." Hazel explained prompting him to raise his head immediately.
"Miss Beaumont." He said in surprise and it is quite obvious to anyone that he is drunk.
"I will be gone." Hazel said quickly with a smile before vanishing while making sure to lock the door.
"My Lord," Helena begin as she stare at him. He seemed out of it. "Lady Morribel is of the impression that you are not doing okay. A matter which I agree with her."
"I apologize for you seeing me in this state." He said as he stood up and walked the chair across the room.
"I wanted to make sure that you are alright." She said as she sit opposite him.
"Do I look like I am?" He asked softly with a smile.
"No, you look like you need someone to talk to?."
The silence that followed was loud and clear until he finally asked.
"Why do the good ones always die first?" He asked as he stare at the ceiling.
"I do not suppose I have an answer to that question."
"It just seems funny to me and annoying. My father loved my mother dearly, he would do anything for her and suddenly he died even before Iris was born and now Henry, he was a nice man. Catherine is going to be in shambles and there is nothing I can do just like when Father died." He said and the tears start rolling. "I must apologize for being emotional."
"No, it is better to let out all your feelings rather than to keep it in. Your family are worried about you although it is to be kept a secret." Helena said with a smile.
"I know but I cannot be in a place where everyone's face scream with pity, everyone expect me to be strong but it is hard taking on that responsibility."
"And your family understands that. It isn't your fault that your father and your close friend died, it is simply that their time on earth is up but to be quite honest, your younger siblings need you. It is completely fine for you to grieve for the loss of your close friend but it is important not to forget that there are people who need and depend on you."
"I must ask," Nicholas began as he turn to face her. "Did you experience the same thing when your father died. You need not answer if you feel uncomfortable." He quickly added.
Helena thought about the matter briefly and realized that he is someone who she can share her feelings to.
"I think that is where you and I are different." She said after a moment.
"Why?"
"I grew up in a house that was not filled with love. To be honest, my mother loves and cares for both my younger sister and I but the love that a father has for his children was vacant." She said without emotion. "I grew up with a man who is loved by members of the Ton but in private was someone who thinks a woman's duty is limited to child-bearing. A man who believe that women are no other than substance of abuse, which is why what you have is something that other people envy."
"And I do not take that for granted," he said.
"To answer your question, I did not feel any sort of thing when he died. If I am to be honest, I was quite relieved upon hearing the news. It was as if a weight was lifted off of me."
"Was he the reason why you had to leave?, Do not answer if you're not comfortable."
"He said something about not having enough money for my dowry but honestly I just think he did not want to spend a dime on me."
"Why?, you are his daughter." He said with a frown.
"I do not and I don't think I want to know. He is dead and that's all that matters even if that sound evil."
"It does not. Thank you for sharing that with me."
"You're welcome." She said with a smile. She rarely open up to people even her mother so this is a new improvement.
"Lady Morribel allowed you in here without your maid."
"That woman and your younger sister are much more alike."
"She wanted me to introduce you two before the letter about Henry arrived." He explained.
"And what was your reaction to that?"
"That the two of you are a dangerous combination together." He replied with a smile.
"And dare I ask why?"
"You are not afraid to speak your mind, she is someone who does not care who is affected by her words. Humor me but the two of you together, there is bound to be chaos." He said to which Helena chuckled.
"Well, I like her and cannot wait to know her more." She said.
"Lord help me."
"Can we go downstairs to your family before Lady Morribel start a scandal about us?"
"I imagine she will enjoy it." He said as they head to his family. A smile on Nicholas as a little bit of the guilt he harbored has shifted.
Helena could not help but glance at him and she knew in that moment, she hate to see the man sad.