Hazlett’s eyes widened in horror.“But it has taken us your whole life to reach this stage!You must not—”
“Uncle, thanks to you and the others I have indeed attained good health.And I have never felt better.I am enjoying Lady Hawthorn’s excellent meals.”Though to be sure the Headless Horseman had not set a high standard, a thought he wisely kept to himself.“So tell me why you’ve come, Uncle?”
“To look after you, of course.”
He smiled at his uncle but didn’t release his gaze.“I do not require looking after.”
Hazlett did not respond to that.Instead, he said, “At all events, I am pleased to see you on good terms with Lady Lily.She seems a perfectly charming girl.”
“She is,” Jack said coolly.
“You probably have not heard, but there has been some issue with the earldom, another claimant.The current Lord Sark—”
“Or not,” Jack murmured.
“...assures me it is fraudulent nonsense.But even if it is not, it does not affect the girl who is indisputably the last earl’s daughter.There are unfortunate connections, of course, but you may nip those in the bud after you are married.”
Jack drew in his breath.“Uncle, you assume too much.Let me say at once that there will be no marriage between Lady Lily and myself.”
Hazlett froze in the act of scratching his chin.“Eh?But...but why not?”
“Because she does not wish it.And frankly, neither do I.”
Hazlett’s astonishment was almost ludicrous, although he recovered quickly, drawing the full authority of his guardianship around him like a cloak.He had always been a stern if ultimately benevolent man, and his word had been law in Isley Place for Jack’s entire life.
“Isbourne,” he said impressively, fixing Jack with his most awe-inspiring stare.“You must and will do your duty.”
“I fully intend to,” Jack said quietly.“But my duty does not involve marrying that particular girl against her wishes because of some nonsense concocted by our fathers in their cups one night before we were born.”
“It isnotagainst her wishes!”Hazlett thundered in the way that had reduced Jack to trembling incoherence in childhood.“Sark has assured me she is willing, despite her silly stepmother filling her head with foolish notions.If she does not like you enough now,court her.”
Jack held his uncle’s fierce, implacable gaze.He had not planned to have this conversation quite so soon.Putting it off until later was tempting in the present circumstances.
But that was what he had been doing for years, in case he hurt the feelings of his uncles, his nurse, his tutors, his doctors, his chaplain, his valet...It was why he had run away when he should simply have stood his ground.Only he hadn’t been very sure then what his ground was.He had needed the space, the experience of being alone in the real world most people inhabited, to discover his capabilities and his goals and his true strength of feeling.
While Jack considered his best approach, the short silence seemed to unnerve his uncle, who shifted in his chair, fidgeting with his hands.
“I shan’t court her, Uncle,” Jack said.“I shall do my duty in my own way and in my own time, in the matter of my marriage as in all matters of the dukedom.I am grateful, as I have always been, for your advice and your views, but we are all aware that since I attained my majority, the role of the Trust has been merely advisory.”
Colour flooded Hazlett’s face, for this was Jack’s tactful way of saying he had discovered from the solicitor what his uncles had hidden from him.In fact, they had misled him, but he refused to make the conversation one of grievances.
“The responsibility is mine, Uncle.I am ashamed to have used up so much of your life in my affairs, and eternally grateful for all you and my other uncles have done for me.But it is time I took up my own burden.Which means running my own estate, taking my seat in the Lords, and choosing my own bride.”
He smiled and watched the agitation melt away from Hazlett’s face, leaving it bewildered and oddly wistful.
“Shall we drink to your new freedom, sir?”Jack said, turning to find Fox tottering toward him.“A glass of brandy, if you please, Fox.There’s a decanter on the mantelshelf.”
“Very good, sir,” Fox said.“By the way, since there is no dressing room for me here, I shall ask the housekeeper for a truckle bed to be made up in the corner...”
“You will not.”Jack almost startled himself with the speed of his response.“Accommodation will be found for you with the other visiting servants.”
The old man’s jaw dropped, his eyes so hurt and accusing that Jack almost capitulated.Almost.
“Much more suitable,” he added.“Um...the brandy, Fox?”
