“We’ll see each other soon, won’t we?” he said, finding he didn’t like the faint hint of dismissal in her tone. He had an urge to linger.
Her gaze slid away from his. “Of course. I shall contact you as soon as possible with a list of the young women I think are suitable for yourparticular needs. I’ll also plan something special for you to be introduced to them. I do like house parties, because you will often meet the parents as well, and that is important.”
“That sounds good.” He moved to the door. He had no choice, not with her standing there waiting for him to go. Still, he had one more question.
“I know it isn’t my place to ask,” he said, “but I don’t understand why you are here in this building, Thea. Why are you not under your family’s roof?”
She crossed her arms, her whole body tightening. “My brother feels no need to offer support. He’s within his rights.” She was so defensive, so proud. Neal needed to be careful in how he phrased this next concern of his.
He moved to the door now but stopped before leaving. “I don’t like this building or these rooms. I don’t want you and your sons staying here.”
“This is perfectly fine—”
“Thea, think of them,” he interjected, quietly, firmly. “I have several properties throughout London. None of them fancy, but they are good homes and better than this. I want you to move into one of them.”
Her chin lifted. “I’m sorry, my lord, but I cannot accept such charity from you.”
“It’snotcharity. I’ll lease the house to you.”
“We are fine right here—”
“Damn it all, Thea, quit thinking with your pride and think of your sons. This is no neighborhood for them.”
Her mouth closed. She pressed her lips together.
“My man will be over tomorrow to show you the houses I have,” Neal said. “Be ready. I will not accept an argument. Understand?”
For a second, he expected her to countermand him, but then she said, “Thank you, my lord.”
“And thank you for your common sense, Mrs. Martin,” he answered.
She gave a small bow of her head and he left, feeling both victorious and more optimistic about life than he had for a long time. It felt right to have rekindled the friendship he had with Thea. He trusted her.
Neal was not surprised to find Harry waiting for him at home.
“You are an ass,” his brother informed him, waving the bottle of port he held in his hand. Neal did not like talking to him when he was drinking heavily. Fortunately, he did not act as if he’d been taking the laudanum—yet.
“Thank you, Harry, and on that comment, I’ll turn in for the night.” Neal started up the stairs.
His brother followed. “She’s too nice a woman to do this to, Neal.”
“To do what? Help me find a wife? She’s a matchmaker. She has a talent for it.” Neal frowned, shook his head, kept walking up the stairs. His brother could be a pest, even as an adult.
“You know what I mean,” Harry accused, right on his heels.
At the top of the stairs, Neal continued to his room. “That I want a son? Of course.”
With a skip, Harry placed himself in front of Neal, blocking his path. He cocked his head in disbelief. “Maybe youdon’tknow, do you? Poor bugger.”
“Stop talking in riddles. I’m tired—”
A door opened to his right, his sister’s room. Margaret had been under the weather the last few days. She now gave them a sleepy, annoyed frown. “Won’t the two of you please take the argument to another part of the house?”
“Neal is revisiting a fancy he once had for a woman and he doesn’t even know it,” Harry said.
“What?”Neal almost roared with laughter. “I assure you I have not taken a fancy to TheaMartin. Nothing against her, but I’m not looking forhersort for a wife.”
“Sort?” Harry repeated. “What sort is that? Attractive female?”
