Page 117 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

With the now-familiar heaviness of mourning and loss that filled his being, Damian made his way to the mews where he retrieved his horse and started home to Wyndview Hall.

He had even remained in Dublin for a sennight hoping that he would see Georgie again. Of course, he made the excuse that he was there for Trade Wynd. He toured the docks, visited various vacant office spaces, and learned what he could of their exports, which included wheat, oats, and barley, all needed in England. They also exported livestock, but Damian dismissed the idea of transporting sheep and cattle on one of his ships. However, salt beef and pork would be welcome, as well as butter.

Ireland also had a large linen industry, which would benefit not only England but could be shipped to America. He was still formulating the plans to enter into trade agreements with the various manufacturers, which would require him to return to Dublin.

Damian was cautious in everything he did, especially when it involved important decisions, yet, he was over half tempted to board the ship to Carrera and leave Southampton behind for a woman he had known for twelve days.

One thing that had changed in his absence, which he once again noted when he entered the parlor at Wyndview Hall, was that along with his eldest brother Sterling, his younger brothers Jules and Avery now took dinner with the family.

He’d been told that it had been Livia who had caused the changes. She told them both that if they did not go to dinner when told and sit with her mother and the earl that they wouldn’t be given their supper.

Apparently, Livia had disappeared a few times, which had caused both Sterling and Caroline to become worried until the child had been found pestering Avery with questions about plants or with Jules, watching him sculpt.

She had also shamed both brothers for ignoring their family when all it would take was an hour of their time away from their projects. Now, they both joined them for dinner, though often they were anxious to return to their work. It was the same anxiousness Damian had often experienced when away from Trade Wynd when he knew that work needed to be done.

He no longer experienced the same urgency.

“Where are Caroline and Livia?” Damian asked as he crossed to the sideboard to pour a glass of wine.

“They will be taking their supper in the nursery,” Sterling answered.

He frowned and faced his brother. “Is Livia ill?”

“No. Caroline and Livia believe that you are bothered and that you will be more forthright if they are not present for the conversation.”

“I am not bothered,” he lied.

Sterling snorted.

“You have not been the same since your return,” Avery noted.

How would he know? He rarely left the conservatory or the vast gardens.

“Livia says you are unhappy.” Jules shrugged.

Ah, so it was Sterling’s stepdaughter who had been the cause of the fuss about him.

“You are not happy. That is obvious,” Sterling added.

Damian wanted to deny his claim but couldn’t. The contentment that he once possessed before Georgie no longer remained.

“It will pass,” he finally said.

“You never told us about your travels with Miss Wylde and how you found her sister.”

Upon his return, Damian had said that the sister had been located, she was safe, not ruined, and that Fisher was likely on his way to America while Georgie and Grace were visiting with family in Ireland. There were no further details and he immediately began telling Sterling that he was going to look into opening a shipping office in Dublin, or at least export from there and that once the details were worked out and plans were made, he would advise him.

“Dinner is served,” the butler announced, much to Damian’s relief and he turned for the dining room, hoping that by the time they were seated that a different topic of conversation would be introduced.

“What did you do during your search?” Sterling asked once they were seated.

Damian blew out a sigh. Sterling would demand while Jules watched with curiosity and Avery remained attentive.

Three brothers so completely different.

Jules’s hair had likely not seen scissors or a blade in two years. Half of the time he did not even shave, looking much like what he had always imagined a hermit from childhood stories would appear. And he did prefer to live in seclusion. Then again, Damian couldn’t remember the last time his hair was trimmed and he had forgone shaving until he returned home, so he should not judge his brother.

As for Avery, his hair was always perfectly in place, clothing impeccable, never a smudge on his glasses, and he kept to a shaving and bathing ritual, unlike his brother.