“Ah, yes,” he murmured. Widowed. He would measure his words carefully unless he wanted to be responsible for a bout of tears. “How long ago did your husband pass away?”
“Well over a year now.” She glanced around, lips turning down. “We lived with his brother and his wife for a time, and then my sister sent for me. It is better to live in a place that holds no memories of him.”
He smiled quickly. “I do understand.”
She turned back to him quickly. “You’ve lost someone you love, too?”
“No. I never married.” He shook his head. “However, a good friend of mine was widowed years ago and it took a long time for him to recover from the loss. He only recently remarried and is very happy now.”
“Then there is hope for me,” she said, and then sighed.
“I’m sure there is,” he promised. A woman like Mrs. Beck, so pretty, so obviously in need of support for her children, would not be overlooked. She would be swooped up soon by anyone who could afford her upkeep.
Mrs. Beck leaned forward slightly. “Would that I had your confidence, but a woman’s security is a fickle thing. So much that happens is beyond our control.”
Gideon looked up when he heard someone calling his name urgently.
Natalia Hawthorne burst outside, eyes wide as she looked around. Mrs. Napier hovered behind her.
“Mr. Whitfield, there you are,” Miss Hawthorne chided as she shook off Mrs. Napier’s grip and rushed over. “I wondered if you might be ready to escort Mama and I home now?”
He blinked and wondered if Miss Hawthorne had sampled the ale today. He was not their escort. He’d come alone and intended to leave alone, too. “Where is your father?”
Miss Hawthorne bent close to whisper in his ear. “I need your help. Please don’t argue.”
He sighed. Most likely helping Miss Hawthorne involved describing some poor handsome fellow the girl must know everything about immediately. That was better done when no one could overhear her bold questions.
He considered the request. He’d spoken to Mrs. Grieves, offered his sympathy and support—not that she was alone in the world. There was little more he could do here today. “Very well.”
He turned to Mrs. Beck, who had risen and was now looking at him through narrowed eyes. There were many who looked at him in that manner lately, often when Natalia Hawthorne was around, too.
He bowed to Mrs. Beck. “I am afraid you must excuse me. It seems I am needed elsewhere.”
“I’m sure you are,” Mrs. Beck murmured, a tight smile gracing her lips. “I look forward to seeing you again, sir.”
“I am sure we will meet again soon,” he agreed. He nodded to Mrs. Napier. “Good day, madam.”
Miss Hawthorne wrapped her arm around his. “Goodbye, Mrs. Beck. Mrs. Napier.”
“Miss Hawthorne,” Mrs. Beck said with a tight nod.
Gideon allowed himself to be directed to the road before he spoke again. “That was hardly courteous. What’s all this rush about?”
“You know exactly what I am about. I made a promise to myself to protect Lady Jessica’s interests.”
Jessica had been gone for months, and his life was a great deal quieter for her absence. “What promise?”
“The one that keeps you a bachelor.”
He stopped the girl immediately. “The only promises exchanged were to help you find a worthy husband.”
“Well, I made an amendment to the original agreement without telling either of you. It’s for the best, indeed. I mean to protect you from any lady who would try to take advantage of your kind nature.” She frowned as her mother joined them. Mrs. Hawthorne was puffing, and Natalia Hawthorne released him at last to go to her side. “Are you all right, Mama?”
“Yes, indeed,” she said, but she cast a sour expression toward the gathering of men drinking themselves into oblivion in the distance. Gideon noted Mr. Hawthorne quickly ducked out of sight.
“Mr. Whitfield has offered to escort us home, Mama. Isn’t that wonderful news?”
Gideon tried not to roll his eyes at that lie. “I was on my way home already.”