“We were on safari. It’s not something to say in politesociety, but the truth is, that by the time we found him, the hyenas had ensured the body was in no shape to bring home.” His gaze darted to the revolver again. “I suppose sometimes you’re hunting lions, but all you find are jackals.”
Valemount suddenly shook himself. “Forgive me, I’m intolerably jittery today,” he said, more warmly. “The Valemount line are hunters, yes, but we’re also descendants from a Spanish countess ourselves, and your presence honors us, Don Sebastian. If you’d rather not have a weapon, then I won’t insist.”
“Thank you,” Sebastian said, trying not to sound surprised at the sudden shift in tone.
“I’m sure they’re missing you at dinner already,” Valemount said. “Go on ahead without me; I’ll be there shortly.”
He gave no indication of why he wasn’t following, and Sebastian could feel his gaze on his back as he left the gun room.
* * *
Sebastian wasn’t answering knocks on his door, so Wesley went downstairs on his own, where he was shown by a footman to the ground-floor Great Hall and given a drink. Despite the last-second decision to host a hunt, Valemount had more than a dozen other guests already in the hall, including both the Marquess and Marchioness of Thornton, who were speaking with Sir Reginald and Lord and Lady Ryland. Geoffrey had also arrived from London at some point during the day, standing in a circle with several men and what appeared to be a couple of their wives.
“Cousin,” Geoffrey said, beckoning Wesley over, “come meet the Valemount Hunt.”
By the time introductions had been made, Lady Nora had arrived, dressed in a loose turquoise sheath with intricate beadwork. Sebastian had also joined the guests, distracting as ever in his tailcoat. The two of them were in conversation over by the wall, and Lady Nora actually seemed slightly animated as she spoke to Sebastian. Had she decided she liked him? But then, Sebastian’s sweetness and earnest nature had proven attractive to even the most curmudgeonly of the aristocracy. Wesley should know.
Finally, Valemount himself joined them, giving no clue as to where he’d been all day but greeting everyone heartily. Then they were all taken to the dining room with its long table set with silver. The rugs were a vivid crimson under the gilded ceiling and crystal chandelier, and the walls the same shade of crimson, hung with gold-framed art. It was a bit too much like being inside someone’s arteries for Wesley’s taste, but Sebastian was probably delighted about the two lit fireplaces.
The duke was at the table’s head and the rest of them seated somewhat by rank. Wesley found himself between Sebastian on his right and Geoffrey on his left, with Nora directly across from him between Sir Reginald and the Baroness of Ryland. The women seemed genuinely fond of each other, with Nora asking after all ten children by name and Lady Ryland doting on Nora like an aunt. Perhaps the baroness had been close with Nora’s mother, the late Duchess of Valemount.
As with most big tables, there was little chance of hearing or speaking with anyone outside of one’s neighbors, which meant Wesley would need to find another way to talk to Valemount.
Sebastian leaned forward. “You will keep telling usabout your travels around the Mediterranean, yes?” he said to Nora. He turned to Wesley. “She was telling me about a river steamer she sailed down the Nile—or it is actually up the Nile, you reminded me, as it flows into the Mediterranean?”
A tiny smile lifted Nora’s lips, but Sir Reginald said, “Or we could talk about tomorrow’s hunt, perhaps?”
Nora’s smile vanished as Sebastian narrowed his eyes. “Is it really necessary to hunt the fox?” Sebastian said. “They are charming little creatures, no?”
“That’s exactly how I feel,” said Nora, and next to her, Lady Ryland patted her hand in a reassuring sort of way.
“Foxes are nuisances,” Geoffrey said, in what he probably imagined was a reasonable and logical tone but drew twin glares from Nora and Sebastian. Unfortunately, being terrible with people seemed to be a common trait among men of the Fine lineage. “They overrun the hutches and eat the chickens.”
Sir Reginald nodded emphatically. “The hunt is necessary pest control.”
“But using the dogs to chase and slaughter seems cruel,” Sebastian said.
“I agree,” said Nora. “There are more humane ways to protect the livestock.”
“I suppose we could have Wesley here shoot them all,” Geoffrey said dubiously.
“Geoffrey, do not bring me into this,” Wesley said testily. “I’m going to sit here and eat my oysters.”
“You’re quite the shot yourself,” Sir Reginald said to Geoffrey.
“Farsight runs in the family.” Geoffrey cut into a caviar canapé with his fork. “Lord Valemount is a crackingshot too, and his collection of antique firearms might be the country’s best.”
“I saw them,” Sebastian muttered.
Wesley glanced at him.
“Just before dinner,” Sebastian added, meeting Wesley’s gaze. “Lord Valemount had sent for me to offer a firearm for tomorrow.”
Wesley raised an eyebrow. That was interesting. “If you wanted a firearm, I could have provided you one.”
“But I don’t,” Sebastian said wryly. “I thanked His Grace for his consideration but declined.”
“Declined? Are you mad?” Geoffrey said. “I’d give my right arm to use some of those guns.”
