Naturally, they did get to London. But even then, Van Doren did not seem happy about it. The last thing he said before proceeding to his own house across the street was, “And finally, the Bennington caravan limps its way into London.”
Beatrice could not imagine why the earl had invited him to come to dinner. Had they not seen enough of Van Doren over the past three days?
And what did the fellow mean by renting a house right across the street? She’d been aware that he would be located on Portland Place, which was already too close, but a person with a strong arm might throw a rock from their door to his own!
She supposed she must only be grateful that Portland Place had a wide avenue, else Van Doren should be peering in their windows at night.
Well, she supposed it was no matter. The earl had sent a note to Darden at his new club to let him know that they’d arrived and he was expected to dine with his family.Thatwas the thing to think about.
Her sisters had spent the past hour down in the kitchens, assisting in getting four kittens and one boy named Charlie settled into their respective places.
They would see Darden and he would tell them about the Young Bucks Club and they could all ignore Van Doren huffing with manufactured outrage in a corner somewhere.
From the great hall, Beatrice heard the door bang open. Not a moment later, Darden bounded into the room.
“Bea, there you are,” he said and grasped her hands. “Look at you, a full-grown lady come to Town.”
“Dearest brother,” Beatrice said, “we have all missed you so very terribly and have so many things to tell you.”
Darden laughed and said, “Do not you always? How is it to be any other way when there are five of you?”
“That is very true. Now, the very first thing, guess who we met on the road?”
“You will say it was Cahill, I think. I just saw him at the club and he told me all about it. He said my sisters were charming, the earl gracious, and Van Doren a bit put out.”
“Van Doren. Darden, you do not know what we have put up with from him. Juliet has taken to calling him Viscount Scoldy-Breeches.”
Darden roared with laughter. “That is very good, very good, indeed.”
“How many lectures can he compose? Beatrice, do not get drunk. Beatrice, do not say everything on your mind. Beatrice, you are to throw over all your ideas about romance. He would like to turn the whole world into a stick like him. It never really ends.”
Darden chucked her chin and said, “Well, for all that, he is a decent fellow. He has always taken great pains to look after my sisters when I am not there and I cannot fault him for that. I suppose he will be a great success in Town—he has the dark looks and strong jaw the ladies seem to prefer.”
That idea gave Beatrice some pause, though she could not pinpoint precisely why. She said, “He is very handsome, anybody can see it, though it is very hard to admire his countenance while he is talking.”
Before Darden could answer, the drawing room was deluged by sisters.
“Darden!” Juliet cried, flinging herself at him. “We have brought four kittens and a boy!”
“Of course you have,” he said, giving her a strong hug.
“We found them all on the road,” Juliet said by way of further clarification.
“Where else?” Darden said, laughing.
The others surrounded him until the viscount was near to disappearing in yards of muslin.
“Dear Darden,” Viola said.
“You are looking well, Darden,” Rosalind said.
Cordelia kissed his hand. “Our brother Darden is with us again.”
The earl entered the room and appeared charmed by the scene of familial felicity. “There you are, my boy. Drowning in a sea of sisters, as usual.”
“Father,” Darden said.
Behind the earl, Miss Mayton hurried in. “I heard the ruckus and was certain Lord Darden must be in the middle of it.”
