Considering his cousin had just quaffed the brandy himself, he could do naught but believe him but even so… “Of course. But what did you want? Has your mother sent you to petition for yet more stipend?”
“No… No.” Jeremy shoved a hand to his eyes and rubbed. “Gads, you must all think me pathetic. And I am, but…I was so ill as a child. All that coddling.”
Miles wouldn’t exactly call Aunt Mildred’s treatment coddling but… “Why don’t you sit?”
“No. Need to stand. Two feet.”
Miles required more light for this so crossed to the lone candlestick by the decanters, lit a spill and then the candelabra on the desk. He also required a drink so returned to thedecanters, snatched the bottle of wine from the back and poured a glass. “What would you like to ask then?” And he perched on the desk.
His cousin commenced pacing.
As a rule, Jeremy walked with shoulders sloped but tonight he held them straight, and his rapid step might almost be labelled marching.
Miles sipped his excellent claret and waited.
“S-something has happened.” Jeremy paused. “Something of which I am at a loss.” He peered at Miles. “I need your support. I know I’ve never done anything to deserve it. Purely relied on your good nature but…” He put the glass to his lips, realised it was empty. “I’m relying on it again.”
By now, Miles was positively agog. “What is it, man?”
“Oh, g-gads.” Jeremy breathed so deep it was a wonder there was any air left in the study. “It’s like this… You see… I-I wish to marry.”
“Er…good? Miss Kane, I presume, whom your mother…tolerates.”
“No, no! She’s perfectly nice and all that but we have nothing in common.”
“Who then?”
“Miss Tait. I-I have fallen in love with Miss Juliet Tait.” A beatific smile crossed his features.
Even so, Miles was a little taken aback. “And Miss Tait…returns your sentiment?”
He nodded, blond curls bouncing. “We have everything in common. We talk about music and London. We both adore fashion and poetry.” Even in the candlelight, Miles could see the flush rising in his cousin’s cheeks. “She listens to me, to my opinions. Not just politely but…she understands. And she laughs at my jokes, even the unfunny ones. And I…” He gulped. “I adore her – her openness and laughter. She’s so much…fun. Confidentyet not overbearing. Assured but never unkind. I’ve even told her about…” He chewed a lip.
Miles was agape. “Yes?”
“I’ve been writing some of my own musical compositions, you see, and she…she liked them.”
Miles needed to sit down and so promptly did so upon the leather chair while Jeremy wore a hole in his rug.
“When did all this…” Miles wafted a hand.
“At the Kingston Fair. Mama thought I was in that tent with the soiled doves for some reason, whatever they are.” He frowned. “But I was with Juliet. I so enjoyed her company that I got a lad to buy her some flowers.” He looked rather sheepish. “Then I persuaded Mother to attend that art exhibition, and Juliet and I walked the paths together. She’s so beautiful and proud of who she is and…we can chat for hours and hours about everything and nothing.”
Miles blinked. “Have you been calling upon her then?”
“Oh, yes. When Mama is at her whist afternoons. She loses quite a lot of coin, you know.”
No, Miles didn’t know.
“Your mother doesn’t approve of the Taits coming from trade, does she?”
“I know but I don’t bally well care. I love her.” He thrust the curls from his eyes. “In fact, I love the whole family.” He began pacing once more. “When I was young, I told my parents I wanted to be a composer, for I adored the violin but… Father laughed and…” He swallowed. “Mother said it was vulgar. Gentlemen listen to music, not play. And then she shouted and shouted till I had a megrim and…” He shook his head. “But when I…when I mentioned my love of music, the compositions I create, Juliet and Mrs Tait too, t-they thought it was…fascinating. T-thatIwas fascinating.”
Miles sat back.Good grief.
“But Mama wants me to marry Miss Kane. And I won’t. For I love Juliet and she loves me. I’ve asked Juliet to marry me and she said yes.” His fingers picked at the seam of his waistcoat. “Juliet’s mother wanted some reassurances on my financial situation, but we all sat down and discussed matters.” His head rose, eyes wide. “They discuss matters, you know. With no shouting or demanding. It’s…it’s like a whole new world. But I need your h-help. I know it’s not very manly of me to ask but I can’t do it alone. I-I can’t deal with Mother alone.”
Miles scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’m sorry, Jeremy.”
