Page 65 of Miss Ashbury and the Anatomy of Mending a Heart

“On the contrary, my dear, I just did. And furthermore, you’re already breaking the parameters of our agreement by trying to insert yourself into the planning. Perhaps we should just cancel the thing altogether.” He turned back to Vera and Stephen and opened his mouth.

“No,” Adelaide said. “It’s quite all right. Five is wonderful.” She smiled at her guests. “Looking forward to seeing you both.”

“A gracious invitation, indeed,” Stephen said gravely, though Vera had to hide her smile at the slight quaver of his lips.

“Dearest,” Percy said blithely, turning to his wife. “Do you mind if I send a rider to Kent? If you think you might have a repeat performance of today’s intestinal upset at our dinner party, I’d dearly love for Lord Fergus to be able to hear it. Otherwise, he’ll never believe me.”

“Percy!”

The marquess neatly dodged the tasseled throw pillow aimed at his head. “Our marriage has improved your aim, my dear. I take all the credit, and you are very welcome.”

CHAPTER 18-STEPHEN

Late-morning sunlight shone through the waving branches, dappling Stephen’s and Benjamin’s shoulders as their horses plodded along the fence line of the far pasture. A cool breeze brought the smell of moldering undergrowth and the faint scent of woodsmoke. Fall was well underway, and soon, grey clouds would cover the landscape like a lid placed atop a pot.

At least this fence line was in good repair, Stephen was relieved to see. He’d saved this parcel of land for last, as the groundskeeper had informed him it was the newest one, built only three years ago. This task had fallen to him, as the men of work were completely engaged with finishing repairs to the old groundskeeper’s cottage on the property.

“Cottage” was a bit of a misnomer. It was a spacious two-story house—Stephen had played in it when he was young—though it had been in slight disrepair for some time. His mother had recently ordered it completely refurbished. Local craftsmen had repaired one of the exterior walls, and they were endeavoring to complete the roof repair before the first rain. If the weather held for two more days, they’d make it.

“Are you going to marry Vera?” Benjamin asked, jarring Stephen from his thoughts.

“What?” He frowned. “Why would you ask that?”

“Because she won’t marry me.” The boy shrugged. “I already asked.”

Stephen chuckled. “When did you do that?”

“Ages ago.” His shoulders slumped. “But she said she was too old for me.”

“Did you even bring her a present? Flowers? Anything?” Stephen teased.

“No.” He wrinkled his nose, looked up. “Was I supposed to?”

“Traditionally, a man gives the lady gifts to show his affection.”

“Huh.” He considered this for a few moments. “Well, are you?”

“Going to get her a present?”

“Marry her,” his brother said, as if Stephen were the biggest idiot who’d ever lived.

“How can I, when you’ve already proposed? It wouldn’t be fitting.”

“I don’t think she’d mind. I certainly wouldn’t. I didn’t even kiss her.”

Stephen’s eyes slid to Benjamin. “What do you know of kissing?”

“Not much. Arthur says he practices by licking the back of his hand.”

“I don’t think you should listen to him. It doesn’t sound like he’s ever done it either.”

“That’s the problem.” Benjamin dropped the reins and flopped his hands down on either side of the horse. “Nobody who’s actually kissed a girl will tell us anything.”

Stephen stifled the urge to laugh at the boy’s earnestness. “Because it’s a private matter. A gentleman should never kiss and speak about it afterward.”

“Then how is someone supposed to learn, if everyone’s keeping it a secret?”

“It’s not secret, it’s⁠—”