Michael hugged himself, his shoulders hunched. “No one will marry us. Our reputations—”
Philip straightened his shoulders, effectively making himself look larger than he already was. He had passed much of his great height on to his sons but not his build. All three were lean, although Thomas was the most muscular, a result of the times he’d worked off bouts of anger at the boxing salons. Robert had a bit more of a fencer’s build, but drink had taken its toll on the youngest Ashton son, leaving him with a sallow complexion, a reddish nose, and slight paunch at the waist.
“I am well aware of your reputations, which is why I have issued this dictate now. The season is about to begin. You will accompany your mother and sister to their events, beginning with the Higginbotham Ball in three days. You will dress and comport yourself appropriately. You will stun thetonwith your change of habits, and you will lay it at your sister’s feet. You have seen your responsibility to her and have decided to live up to it.”
“It will never work.” Michael reached for a wine glass, realized it was empty, and looked at his coffee cup as if it were an asp ready to strike.
“Then I suggest you consider the military or the church as an appropriate option. Which you should have done already.”
Robert tossed both his and Elizabeth’s serviettes onto the table, standing. “This is ridiculous. You cannot do this!”
“I can and have. Your allowances have already been reduced.”
“I owe too much!” Michael’s voice took on a childish whine.
Thomas joined Robert and stood. “Father, you have to see—”
“Shut it! All of you justshut it!”Beth darted to her feet and took refuge behind her mother’s chair. Emalyn straightened, a look of pride crossing her face. Beth went on, her voice rising in pitch. “Would you listen to yourselves? Thomas, you arethirty! Robert! Michael! You’re fighting about whether you should grow up and become men! Actual adults! This is supposed to bemyyear!Myseason! And you want to ruin it because you cannot behave like men instead of schoolboys? Spare me your whining. If you spoil my season because of your petty childishness, I will not only never forgive you, I will not let you ever forget it. Not one moment of one day will pass that I won’t remind you of exactly how unbelievably selfish you all are.”
With that, she turned and left, slamming the dining room door behind her.
Emalyn stood and headed for the baize door. “I will suggest the servants feast on our supper. I’ll ask cook send up a cold buffet for us.” She paused and glanced at each of the sons. “And Mrs. Hodges has already made up your old rooms for you.” She pulled open the door, and Thomas caught a quick grin on her face as she made shooing motions at whoever was behind the door.
He turned to Philip. “All right, Father. How do you suggest we begin? I know you must have a plan.”
As expected, Philip nodded. “First, you will all give up your lodgings and move in here.”
“Speaking of acting like a boy,” muttered Robert.
Philip lowered his eyes at him. “It is not immaturity to share your family home. Many people do it.”
“Why can’t we live at Newbury Hall?” Michael asked.
“Because that house has been leased to another family since the three of you made it quite clear you prefer your own bachelor lodgings. You would not, of course, know that since you have all taken so little interest in the Ashton estate.”
Thomas stared down at the table. He had not, in fact, known the home of his childhood had been leased to strangers. An odd hollowness opened in his chest he could not put words to.
“So you will have to move in here. This will, of course, mean giving up your mistresses.”
Robert stiffened, but Philip waved off any offense, his gaze drifting from Thomas to Robert and back. “Don’t be naïve, Robert. I’ve known about your Mrs. Wilson and Thomas’s Mrs. Carterton for some time. In fact, I paid both of them a visit this afternoon—”
Thomas’s eyes snapped back to his father.
“What?” Robert took a step away from the table.
“And informed them you would be finding other ways to occupy your time.”
“How dare you—”
“I assure you that both can make their way without your support.” Philip focused on Thomas. “I know you keep a valet—”
“Langley. He’s the son of Grandfather’s valet.”
“Of course. You may bring him with you, and I will take on his salary as long as you are here. Then you will take your brothers to your tailor and have them fitted for the apparel they will need for the season. Also make sure they are fitted for trips to the country. Boots. Walking suits.”
“We cannot afford it.” Michael sat straighter and dropped his hands to his lap, but his gaze still focused on the wine glasses.
“I will fund anything to do with your movement through the season. Next, you, Michael, will get sober and stay sober.”
