“That’s right—we don’t go in for doing what everybody else does just because they do it. We arrange things to our liking and society’s opinion be damned.”
“You will see when you come to dine, Lord Stanford,” Lady Patience said. “All my sisters will be at table. We do not make the younger of my sisters stay away as others might. It would not be fair to them.”
The duke laughed. “I suppose Winsome would have some choice words for us if we tried it.”
It all sounded exceedingly odd, and yet there was something to consider in it. For all the eccentricity of it, there was a distinct undercurrent of… what? Solidarity? Of close-knit attachment? Of ease? Contentment?
Marcus was not altogether certain. It did prompt him to think far into the future though. Up until now, he’d employed a falcon-like focus on making the right choice of wife. He’d not thought much beyond that.
If hedidthink beyond that, what would his household look like day to day? What would his household feel like? How would children be treated?
Marcus did not have any example to go on, as all he could be sure of was what he did not want. He did not want his parents’ household.
It was becoming rather interesting to ascertain how other people lived. How the duke and Lady Patience lived.
If it really was true, then snug and comfortable sounded… well, it sounded snug and comfortable. He’d not really thought of that as a possibility. There had been times when he’d felt snug and comfortable at his club—a cold rainy day, hot coffee, and a newspaper. He’d been very content at those moments. His club had been a haven.
Could that sort of atmosphere be had at home? It seemed almost impossible.
But perhaps it was possible? Perhaps he’d been shooting too low? He’d been seeking to establish a household where there was not constant shouting. His idea of success had been a reserved and polite arrangement.
Could there be more, though?
He was rather looking forward to attending the duke’s dinner and having a closer look at snug and comfortable.
Lady Jenner called everyone to attention and the musical evening began. Marcus did not mind it as much as he usually did—he wished for time to think and hewouldthink while one lady after the next played.
Lady Alice was the first to display her talent. She played a lively Irish air to great acclaim.
Though, Marcus did find himself a bit startled regarding the enthusiasm with which Lady Patience clapped at the end of it. He hoped she did not do further damage to her injured hand.
