Charles smirked. “You are always hungry.”
“That is true,” Emma conceded. “If you must know, I am thinking about Lord Preston.”
He had not expected that response from his sister. “Why is that?”
Emma pursed her lips together. “He is the most vexing man I have ever met.”
“I find him quite pleasant.”
Shifting in her seat, she said, “That is how he wants you to perceive him, but he is diabolical in nature.”
“Diabolical?” Charles repeated.
Emma had no time to explain before Brixton stormed into the room. “Miss Whiston is going on a carriage ride in Hyde Park with Featherstone today!” he announced.
“How do you know that?” Charles asked.
Brixton pulled out a chair and sat down in a huff. “Featherstone was bragging about it at White’s this morning.”
“Does he know that you have been calling on Miss Whiston?” Charles inquired.
“He does,” Brixton said, “but that doesn’t seem to matter to him.” He turned his attention towards Emma. “I apologize for barging in on your breakfast.”
Emma gave him a gracious smile. “There is no need to apologize.”
Brixton ran a hand through his hair. “What am I to do?” he asked. “I am in love with Miss Whiston.”
“You are?” Emma asked.
Charles glanced over at his sister and shook his head. “Brixton falls in and out of love entirely too easily.”
“As I have said before, it is different with Miss Whiston,” Brixton defended.
Charles reached for his teacup and asked, “Then what are you going to do about it?”
“Would you like to accompany me to Miss Whiston’s townhouse?” Brixton asked.
“I would be happy to.”
Brixton abruptly rose. “Excellent,” he said. “Shall we depart?”
Charles furrowed his brows. “You wish to go now?”
“Yes,” Brixton replied. “Is that a problem?”
“I suppose not,” Charles said, tossing his napkin onto his plate. “I do hope Miss Whiston and Miss Henrietta are early risers.”
11
“YOU DELIVERED A FOAL?”Henrietta asked, sitting on the settee.
Mr. Drew shook his head. “No, Ihelpeddeliver a foal,” he clarified. “My contribution was minimal compared to the lead groom’s.”
“That is still an impressive feat.”
“I daresay that you are giving me far too much credit. I spent most of the time watching the birth in awe,” he shared.
“I bet it was a sight to behold.”
