“I find that I am tired of hiding away,” William admitted.
Haddington spoke up. “I am pleased that you have finally found some happiness.”
“I have, and it is all because of Georgie. She’s brought love back into my life,” William said.
“Gads, Grenton,” Hugh muttered. “You should write sonnets with all of that sentimental talk. At least that way, I wouldn’t have to hear it. It’s nauseating.”
William grinned. “You are just jealous because you have no wife.”
“That is by choice, my friend,” Hugh countered. “I will not fall prey to the parson’s mousetrap.”
“Do you not require an heir?” Haddington asked.
“I intend to spend all of my money before I die,” Hugh said, holding his glass up. “I want to enjoy it.”
“Says the man who still resides with me,” Hawthorne joked.
Hugh shrugged. “I just haven’t found an estate that agrees with me; or a townhouse, for that matter.”
“May I ask what you are looking for?” Haddington asked.
“I don’t rightly know,” Hugh said.
Haddington chuckled. “It is no wonder that you haven’t found it yet.”
“Perhaps you should get a wife to help you decide?” Hawthorne suggested. “Dinah would be thrilled to help you, as you are currently lacking in that area.”
Hugh shuddered. “I don’t need, or want, a wife. They are nothing but trouble.”
“Not if you select the right one,” William said.
Haddington took a sip of his drink, then said, “I do agree with Hugh. I do not see myself being saddled with a wife.”
“Not even if it is the lovely Miss Ashmore?” William asked.
“Even then,” Haddington said, though his response was a second delayed and lacking conviction.
William decided to take pity on his friend and rose. “If you will excuse me, I need to go see Georgie.”
“But you just got here,” Haddington remarked.
“True, but I have a gift that I need to give to her,” William revealed as he pushed in his chair.
Hugh rose as well. “I will walk you out.”
After they exited White’s, William walked over to his coach and asked, “Would you care for a ride?”
“I’ll walk. The place I like to game at is only a short walk from here.” Hugh’s eyes grew serious. “I am glad that you are happy. You deserve it.”
“As do you.”
“No, I don’t,” he said lightly, shaking his head and looking skyward.
Before he could respond, Hugh set off down the pavement, his hands in his pockets. William would need to seek out his friend soon to discuss his despondent behavior.
William stepped into the coach and felt it merge into the traffic. He thought about Georgie and a smile came to his face, as it always did when he thought about her.
Earlier that day, they had gone to the orphanage to help the girls with their lessons. Georgie was still insistent that she should act as a headmistress until a new one could be found. He tried to reason with her, but it wasn’t much of a fight. He loved that she cared so much for the children. He knew his mother would be pleased.
