“Come a bit before. If I take them out with the children around, everyone will want a say.”
He glanced around the hall and outside the still open door. Royston was busying himself with the coat wardrobe, and the street was empty.
Matt took her in his arms. “Very true. I’ll come early.” Her face was tilted up, and her lips were too tempting to be ignored. He kissed her. “Good night, my love.”
“Good night, my darling.”
* * *
“How did you like my friends?” Hector had finagled his good friends, the Robinsons, whom he’d met in India, into hosting a small dinner party for the sole purpose of having some reason to be with Jane. They were now ambling the few blocks from Hill Street to Berkeley Square. He sent up thanks to the deity that the weather had remained dry.
“I enjoyed it immensely.” Jane’s face glowed with pleasure as they passed under one of the gas lamps lighting the streets. “It has been so long since I’ve been able to discuss such a wide range of subjects. Grace, of course, is knowledgeable, but, what with the estate and the children, she is usually too exhausted by the end of the day to take pleasure in intense conversation. Are many of your friends in Town?”
“Not only in London, but in other areas of the country as well, Bristol, and Edinburgh mostly.” Though the question was not where his friends were, but where Jane would like to live. He’d waited over twenty years to see her again. This time he wouldn’t let go.
Her voice was quiet when she asked, “Have you given any thought as to what you would like to do now that you have returned home?”
That put him in a pickle. “I’m still considering my options. Much shall depend on a certain lady.”
Her pace slowed. “Will it?”
“Why don’t you tell me what you would like.”
Her tone grew wistful. “If this war would ever end, I would love to travel.”
“I wouldn’t mind a few journeys to civilized places, but if you want to go to the Levant or anywhere like that, I’d be forced to object.”
“Oh, no.” Her laugh reminded him of the tinkling of silver bells. “I have no desire to travel the wilds.”
That was a relief. After so many years in India, he didn’t want to peregrinate too far from home. “Where would you wish to live?”
“I think,” she said slowly, “that would depend upon my husband’s and my combined fortunes.”
If she thought he’d allow her to spend her funds on their living expenses, she was out. Perhaps now was the time to tell her he was a nabob. Though the Jane he’d known had valued honesty and caring over wealth. If she hadn’t, she would have married long ago. Yet how to approach the topic? He couldn’t very well blurt out that he could give Golden Ball a few thousand. “I don’t think a house in Town and a snug property in the country would be out of the question.”
“That sounds . . . like a lovely dream. Perhaps a better idea would be to rent a house during the Season.”
He must tell her soon, but not on a public street. Mayhap it would be better to show her. “I’m currently residing at the Pulteney and am growing tired of not having my own place. I’ve made arrangements to view a couple of properties on the morrow. I’d be honored if you would give me your opinion.”
By this time, they’d reached Berkeley Square, and Jane had come to a halt in front of a large town house. The door opened. A tall man dressed in black waited patiently. Hector slid around so that he stood in front of Jane, between her and the door.
“Will you come with me?”
She glanced up a bit shyly. “Yes, it sounds quite enjoyable.”
Taking her hand, he raised it to his lips. “I shall fetch you at ten o’clock, if that is not too early.”
“Ten o’clock is perfect.”
Hector waited until she was in the house and the door had closed. He looked forward to to-morrow when he’d finally have some time alone with her. Now he just needed to find some entertainment for them to attend in the evening. Courting Jane now seemed to require much more thought and planning than it had when they were younger.
Chapter Twenty-One
Mr. Edgar Molton presented himself at the office of Chiswick and Chiswick, Solicitors, shortly after nine o’clock. A clerk took his coat, hat, and cane, then showed him to a room with a long table. He glanced around. The offices consisted of a small reception area and a corridor with at least three doors. All of them closed. He should have made Chiswick wait on him. The problem was that Edgar hadn’t wanted the man to see where he was living. That would change shortly.
The clerk led him to a room lined with books and two small windows.
“If you’ll wait here, sir, I’ll see if Mr. Chiswick is available.”
