*
After escorting LadyHolbrook and Miss Watson home, Robert returned to the ducal abode in Berkeley Square and found his brothers in the library, where he had bid them wait for him. Mama and Ava had already retired for the evening.
Kenrick was sprawled full length on the leather couch with a glass in his hand and Hereward in one of the large matching leather chairs, likewise with a glass, and Em curled up on his lap. A third glass stood mute, waiting for him on the table. He shut the door and joined them at the fireplace, taking the second chair and picking up his glass. The amber liquid sparkled in the firelight.
“She’s delightful,” said Kenrick, grinning at him, his lean, mobile features lighting up.
“I’m glad you think so,” Robert leaned back in his chair and sighed. He glanced at Hereward who was the most taciturn of the Layne men.
“Aye,” he said slowly. “She’ll suit you well enough I’m thinking.” He stroked Em absently and raised his soft brown eyes to his brothers with a frown. “Do you love her, Rob?”
Robert scrubbed his face with his hands. “I think I could, yes.”
Kenrick threw Hereward a glance which Robert tried and failed to interpret.
“So, it’s really about the money?” he asked.
Robert closed his eyes. “No, yes, I don’t know! You know we need the money.”
“Don’t do it if it doesn’t feel right, Rob. We’ll manage somehow.”
“We would manage better if you didn’t insist on losing five hundred pounds on a racehorse!” snapped Robert.
Kenrick raised his head from the couch arm. “Sorry about that, but I was sure it would win! I tell you what, I’ll marry the heiress, it doesn’t have to be you who sacrifices yourself!”
“No!” Robert slammed his glass so hard on the table the whisky sloshed out of it and dripped onto the carpet. His sudden flare of temper took him by surprise, and he bit down on the possessive words that hovered on his tongue.
His brothers were both looking at him, startled. Then Kenrick grinned. “I think you like her more than you let on!”
“Yes,” he admitted reluctantly. “But I’m not at all sure she even likes me at all. I keep putting my foot in it with her.”
“Oh!” Kenrick chortled. “I never thought I’d see the day! Our perfect brother reduced to a fumbling, addlepated fool by a woman.”
Robert flushed and threw a cushion at him. Kenrick caught it one handed and tucked it behind his head, grinning.
“What I feel is almost irrelevant at this juncture.” He took a breath to steady himself and said more mildly, “I’m the eldest, it’s my duty to provide for the rest of you, and I will. Mama and Ava liked her, too, so there really is no impediment beyond the lady’s possible refusal of my suit.”
“She won’t refuse you, Rob. You’re a bloody duke, for God’s sake.” Hereward echoed Pendrell’s comment.
Robert’s jaw tightened and he said shortly, “I’m aware.” No, she would be unlikely to refuse him, her statement the other week notwithstanding.How many vicar’s daughters got to marry a duke?In proper form he should apply to her father for permission, but she was of age, so legally it wasn’t a requirement. She could make her own decision. Once he had secured her consent, he would seek out her father and make all tidy. He was unlikely to meet with opposition from her family, after all.
I will call upon her tomorrow and settle the thing.
Chapter Nine
Sarah spent arestless night and rose early to take a walk with her maid Esme. It was a daily habit that she had no intention of breaking while in London, and Daphne had long since ceased to remonstrate with her about it. James, the footman, followed them at a discreet distance. They walked to Hyde Park at a brisk pace, as the morning was chilly and a little cloudy.
Entering the park, she was surprised to see the figure of a gentleman in evening dress sprawled upon a park bench. She paused, considering whether to give him a wide berth, and then she recognized him. It was Lord Lannister. He was quite pale and appeared to be asleep. He also seemed to be in need of a shave. His neckcloth was undone, baring his throat to the collarbone, and his clothes disheveled.Was he ill?
“Lord Lannister?” she said tentatively.
He sat up with a jerk. “Hm?” Blinking at her, his eyes widened in recognition, and he got somewhat unsteadily to his feet and bowed. “Miss Watson, you find me at a disadvantage.”
“Have you been out all night, my lord?”
“I have,” he said ruefully. He ran a hand over his jaw. “I’m a sorry sight, I do most humbly apologize. Lost my way last night, or rather early this morning, and became overcome with fatigue. The bench beckoned.”
“If you are quite well, I shall bid you good day, my lord,” she said.
