“You are surely claiming more hours of sleep than you had at Amgen House,” he said as he gestured for her return to the chair she had abandoned seconds earlier, before seating himself beside her.
“Not really. I was excessively worried for Alexander. I still am. I know it is selfish of me to say so, but I wonder how I shall fit into Alexander’s life with his impending marriage to Lady Theodora.” Annalise had not been best pleased to learn her brother had proposed to Theodora before he had been shot. Such was a tidbit of information he had not shared with her.
“Alexander is determined that you will reside with him,” Beaufort cautioned.
“Even so, I have been thinking of claiming my own household. If I understand it correctly, many young women, when they are taken from school, run their own households with the assistance of a companion. Alexander will not approve, but by the beginning of the year, I shall reach my majority. It is my understanding from what Lord Duncan shared, my father, in the hopes of my one day being found, set aside a small allowance for me.”
“If such is your wish I could make some private inquiries on your behalf,” he offered.
“You are not going to offer up a line of objections?” she asked in surprise.
“I see no reason that a young lady cannot be her own mistress, especially if she employs a companion who can instruct her in how toperform in society.”
“Thank you, Beaufort,” she said softly as she studied his beloved features, memorizing them to add to her dreams. “Hopefully, you will call upon me often.”
“I would enjoy that also,” he said politely.
“When do you leave for Ireland?” she asked, knowing she would miss him greatly when he had gone away.
“I have promised your brother that I would stand with him when he marries Theodora,” he said softly. “As to my departure, I was thinking I would depart after the Belewards’ annual ball, which serves as a marker for the end of the London Season. Marksman says, if he is able to do so, he wishes to escort both you and Theodora to the ball, as an indicator that you both will be under his care, as wife and sister.”
“He has not said anything of that nature to me,” she admitted.
“You will quickly discover that Alexander thinks the rest of humanity understands his thoughts, though he has yet to think them,” he warned her.
“I shall be so nervous,” Annalise admitted.
“I am assured Marksman will recruit his brothers and Duncan to be your dance partners,” he explained.
“We shall dance again?” she asked.
“I thought I might claim your supper set so we might be required to sit together during the meal. I have become quite accustomed to conversing with you during our meals.”
“Then I shall see you periodically?”
“I am still assisting Liverpool’s men. And I must be available to testify against Honfleur and your cousin.”
“Shall I also be called?” she asked in alarm.
“I doubt it, but you may be asked to write out your recollections, which will be read into the records, but I promise to assist you, if such is how the trial proceeds.”
“Thank you, Navan. You appear to know me better than any of those gathered within this house.”
