Chapter Twenty-One

For the tenth time since his wife left the room, Landon considered Bronwyn's empty seat. Two courses later, he poked the langoustine drizzled in lemon garlic butter with his fork. It was a delicacy he'd hoped Bronwyn would find appetizing.

Seated next to him, Lady Grace raised a napkin to her mouth. "I heard rumors of you leaving town to marry, but I didn't believe them until our earlier encounter. What is Countess Hadfield's name?"

"Lady Bronwyn." His heart sank as he considered her still vacant seat. "I had intended to make the official announcement this eve."

The slight widening of Lady Grace's eyes confirmed he had managed to shock the woman. A grand feat in itself, but he was of no mind to savor the moment. He needed to escape Prinny's company and hunt down his wife.

"Congratulations." Lady Grace returned her napkin to her lap and turned her attention back to her plate. "Where is she now?"

He had no clue. Initially, Landon had assumed Bronwyn had left to use the necessary and would return, but Theo's nervous glances at the door had him suspicious of her prolonged absence.

"Do you need my assistance?" Lady Grace asked.

Landon wasn't confident what action, if any, he should take. "Not at this time." His nightly efforts to convince Bronwyn she should ignore society dictates and act as she pleased had highlighted for him some of his own hypocrisies. Last night, Bronwyn declared she'd no longer wanted to continue her lessons with his mama, Theo, and Mary. At first, he was overjoyed at the news, but when he questioned her, he discovered Bronwyn's reasoning was due to her distaste for seeking out the help of others and not because she was confident in her abilities. Landon's chest ached with failure. He too despised asking for assistance, but if he was to act, he'd need the help of his cousin, Archbroke.

He turned to face the man who was more like a brother than merely a cousin-by-marriage. Archbroke's features were strained. Prinny's decision to cut his hunting trip short and join the house party to voice his disapproval of the mounting tension between the hereditary and life peers was not well received by anyone, least of all Archbroke.

Archbroke wagged an eyebrow and said, "Go. I'll entertain our esteemed guest."

With stealth learned from his dear cousin, Landon quietly rose and slipped away from the table.

Prinny continued to regale the company with tales of his hunting prowess. "And wouldn't you know, the red-furred beast scurried right in front of me." England was doomed. The man hadn't managed to ensnare a fox twenty feet away from him.

Landon spotted the footman Theo had assigned to his wife walking toward him. When the man noticed him approaching, he swiveled away. Unlike the Prince Regent, Landon was not about to let his prey evade him.

"Stop," Landon commanded. The footman froze.

At the sound of rustling silk behind him, Landon stiffened. Holding his breath, he peered over his shoulder, hoping to see his wife. But it wasn't Bronwyn; it was his mama.

Landon said, "Stay where you are."

His mama stopped in her tracks.

"Not you, mama. I was speaking to the footman."

"But you were looking at me."

Landon sighed. After having slept little the night prior, he had exhausted all the patience he had in reserve. "Have you seen my wife?"

"I have."

"Did she eat something that did not agree with her?" He turned and demanded, "Where is she?"

His mama came to stand directly in front of him. "I beg you to remember I'm the one who endured ten hours of labor to bring you into this world."

"Mama, please…"

"I'm merely the messenger. Bronwyn bid me to tell you that while she loves you, she believes it was a mistake for the two of you to marry, and she has set off to arrange an annulment."

"An annulment!" Landon roared. Impossible. They were well and truly married, and there was no way a judge would grant her a divorce. Rarely did he let this anger surface, but this… this was too much. "Why did you not stop her? Talk sense into her."

"My boy, by now, I'd hoped you'd have learned that you simply can't tell someone what to believe. They…"

Landon finished the familiar advice. "They have to form their own opinions."

His wise mama wrapped her arms about his waist, and he rested his chin on the top of her head. Leaning back, his mama said, "Bronwyn doesn't deem herself worthy. I know you, Theo, and Mary have all tried in your own unique ways to assist her and attempted to make her see the fine qualities we know she possesses. But Bronwyn has yet to realize her own strengths. You, my dear boy, will need to employ two of your own greatest traits—patience and understanding."

Before inheriting the litany of responsibilities from his uncle, Landon wouldn't have agreed with his mama that those were his finer qualities. It was from his mama that he learned the art of patience.

She blessed him with one of her understanding smiles. "Do you remember when you were little and you would stomp inside, winded after racing about the estate with your cousin Baldwin?"

"Why, of course, I do. While Baldwin was able to jump and run about, I was left heaving air as if it was my last breath. It was terribly frustrating."

"And what did I tell you?"

"Play at your own pace, not others. I fail to see how that is of use to me now."

"You are not your papa. I believe your impetus to marry was out of fear. Stop pushing so hard. You chose wisely, but you gave Bronwyn no forewarning."

His mama was right as usual. "What am I to do?"

She patted his arm. "Give her time. She loves you. I have no qualms about that."

"How can you be so certain? She's gone and left me."

His mama raised her hand to cup his cheek. "In the few days I've spent with my daughter-in-law, there is one thing I know about her: she is fiercely independent. If she didn't love you, she'd never be willing to ask for assistance. Bronwyn needs to figure out who it is she truly wishes to be for herself. Not for her parents. Not for the good of the Network. Not even for you. The only way for her to achieve that is for Bronwyn to love and believe in herself." She gave him a pat on the cheek and stood back to stare at him.

"I suppose you're going to tell me if I truly love Bronwyn, I'll not hunt her down."

"No, silly boy, have you not been listening? I said give her time. Never did I say anything about space. You are her husband. It is your duty to protect her, even from herself."

Damn women and their riddles. Landon ran his hand through his hair and kneaded the muscles in the back of his neck. It was the second time that day a woman had accused him of not listening. "What exactly do you suggest I do?"

"First, we are going back to the dining room. Second, you will simultaneously announce that you are wed while apologizing for Bronwyn's inability to return due to illness. Third, you will sit and endure Prinny's ramblings. Lastly, I will speak with Theo and arrange for your departure first thing in the morn."

Most people would describe his mama as quiet and meek. But in fact, she was Wellington's equal if not superior when it came to leading her family.

Landon leaned in for one more reassuring hug before winging his arm. He turned to address the footman who was busy eyeing the ceiling. "Larry, once we reach the dining room, please do the honor of escorting my mama to Bronwyn's seat."

The trio marched down the hall. A hush descended as they entered the dining room.

Landon walked to stand next to Archbroke, who garnered everyone's attention by clinking his fork against his glass.

Clearing his throat, Landon stood tall and said, "Unfortunately, most of you will not be granted the pleasure of my wife's company tonight as she has fallen ill. I anticipate a quick recovery, and we shall extend invitations upon our return to town."

Per his mama's instructions, he was to endure the rest of the evening. However, he was always a defiant child pushing boundaries. "I bid you all a good eve." With a decisive nod, he left the room. He didn't need his mama to arrange his departure plans. At four-and-thirty, he was quite capable of making the arrangements himself.

His chest constricted as he marched down the hall to his chamber. He needed Bronwyn - without her, his breathing became labored. With his hand on the latch of the door, Landon paused as he recited his plan. Locate his errant wife, ensure her safety, and exercise patience. It was a sound plan, and he was more than capable of enduring any anxiety he might experience while he waited for Bronwyn to learn to love herself as much as he loved her.