And possibly the fact that he had dreamed of Lottie for years.
Perry refused to analyze his motivations other than to confirm that it just made sense. Charlotte needed a life beyond thewalls of Fermoy, and Aurelia deserved a father. A wedding between them would satisfy both realities.
His next resolution was to see his daughter. Perry stood and walked over to ring for a servant. He would ask that they bring Charlotte and Aurelia to him with all due haste. It was time for his future wife to stop avoiding him.
Resolved, Perry stood at the window, watching as storm clouds gathered over the horizon. It would be a rainy night. Perhaps he would venture to the library and enjoy a drink by the fire tonight.
Yes.
Perry was emboldened by his many resolutions.
He turned as the bedroom door opened, a grin spreading over his face as his eyes landed on his visitor. It wasn’t a servant. It was Beauregard.
“One would think if someone wanted to kill you, they would aim better. Don’t you agree, brother?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Joy surged within him as he clapped a hand on his brother’s back and pulled him into a careful embrace. Neither could say the words, but both were aware that this moment may have never happened. Perry was grateful to be able to laugh with his brother once more. His brush with death made each moment seem more meaningful.
“Pardon my delay. I had to meet with the magistrate urgently regarding your attack. It was very concerning, and I wanted the locals on alert,” Beau said as he crossed his arms, leaning against the door frame.
“Get in here, you addle-pate,” Perry said with a smirk. “I would rather have died than hear you prattling on uninterrupted.”
“Now tell me, did you send me to my death in the country? Was that your true motive?” Perry guided his brother to the table and chairs near the bed, his mouth dry as he eyed the port sitting on the table awaiting them. Hutchins had taken the hint when he had asked for a real drink that evening. Sliding the crystal glasses across the surface of the dark oak table, he poured them each a serving. Beau relaxed into a chair, watching his brother.
“All humor aside, I was devastated to hear the news. It was all Icould do to convince our sister not to come. It is simply too dangerous while there is a possible killer on the loose,” Beau explained, swirling the glass of port under his nose and inhaling before taking a sip.
Perry took a small sip of his drink to moisten his parched throat. “How is our sister?”
“She is still the most titillating marchioness, to the delight of theton,” Beau explained, placing the glass on the table. “Her necklines are scandalous, and everyone suspects she is having amorous liaisons, though none can prove it.”
“Oh, Louisa,” Perry empathized. “Who is it this time?”
His father had not only arranged one unhappy marriage in their family. Louisa had been married off to an older man who refused to spend any time in the city. Lord Mandchin’s disdain for the frivolities of thetonwas well known. It was a blessing that he allowed Louisa a few months to visit with her family during the London season. The rest of the year, she spent isolated on a remote estate, caring for the aging man. He expected her to focus her attentions on running the household, perfecting her skills on the pianoforte and at needlepoint, while quietly attending to his demands. She was often subject to bouts of verbal abuse, for the man suffered from paranoia and visions as well. Perry had doubts to the validity of the salacious rumors about his sister when she was in town, as the need for a legitimate heir was strong in her husband. Lord Mandchin had killed any ideas of romantic love inside her long ago. He could tell by the way the light in her eyes dimmed at any mention of her husband.
“She danced with Lord Malvern and that was enough to start tongues wagging. Apparently, she laughed a little too loudly at his witty comment. Enough about Louisa. What a delight it is to see you feeling well. The letters I received from the housekeeper seemed dire indeed. What on earth happened? We must catch the scoundrel who did this to you,” Beau said, patting his arm.
“I am much recovered and feeling more like myself each day. Itis difficult to remember any of what occurred the day that I was shot. Honestly, I wonder if it was but a hunting accident. I was arriving unannounced and had cut through the forest path in my wanderings.”
Beau rubbed his chin pensively. “You rode through Morewood Forest? We are the only ones with permission to hunt there at this time of year. How very peculiar. I will question the villagers and see if anything out of the ordinary was noticed.”
“Hutchins sent some men out to investigate, though they came back with little information.”
Beauregard raised his chin stubbornly, unsatisfied with the response. “No poachers have been reported in the area lately, though I haven’t been to the estate since Father passed, if I am truthful. Seeing to the demands of the estate has taken up all my time.”
“We’ll question the servants. Judging by Mrs. Boots’s letter, I’m sure there will be some who are eager to talk. We will shake the trees and see if a few nuts come loose.” Perry leaned back in his chair and released a slow breath. He was relieved to see his brother had arrived, yet he gripped the glass nervously, thinking it was his time to reveal his secret.
“I have other news to share with you,” he said, gazing directly into Beauregard’s curious eyes.
His brother tilted his head and leaned in, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. “I’m listening, though I believe you being shot is quite enough excitement for me at the moment.”
“You have come just in time for a wedding—my wedding. It was my greatest hope that you would arrive. This happy occasion will be that much more delightful when shared with members of our family.”
Beau frowned. “This is very surprising. I don’t remember you even hinting at a courtship last time we met,” he said, his brows furrowed in confusion. “In fact, you were quite content raking about town and wasting your life away.”
“Yes, well, I have come into some new information. You will understand my motivations fully once I explain everything to you.” Perry sighed, bracing himself for his brother’s reaction when he revealed the identity of his bride. “I am to marry Miss Charlotte Townsend.”
Beauregard’s hand came up to his forehead, and his eyes widened in shock. “Baron Percy’s daughter? How is this possible? I thought she died years ago.” His eyes looked up at the ceiling as he thought. “I haven’t heard that name for well…a decade it seems.”
