Page 32 of Barbarous

“Could you drop off a letter with my banker? I use Barings, and a gentleman named Pickard sees to my business.”

He finished chewing a mouthful of food and washed it down with some ale. “It would be my pleasure. Is there nothing else? Do you need any ribbons? Some lace? Colorful baubles? Perhaps the latest German philosophical tome?”

Daphne ignored his jesting. “Gates informed me two newspapermen were discovered hiding in the dairy.”

The humor drained from his face. “Ah, yes, that. I apologize.”

“It is hardly your fault. Even so, I shouldn’t like any of them to approach the boys.”

“Neither would I. I’ve already engaged men from Eastbourne but will hire several more to patrol the property until the furor dies down.” He refilled his tankard from a pitcher. “There is another thing.”

“Yes?”

“I daresay you might have noticed there’s been a rather daunting amount of post for me?”

That was an understatement. It seemed every aristocrat in Britain had sent a missive in the past weeks. His formidable aunt, Lady Letitia, had sent several. Daphne could only imagine what Hugh’s stern, terrifying aunt had said—several times.

She allowed herself a slight smile. “Oh, has there? I hadn’t noticed.”

He snorted. “Very droll. In any case, I’m having a devil of a time keeping scads of family from converging on Lessing Hall and—”

“Oh, please—don’t keep them away on my account. I’m sure the boys would enjoy seeing family. Especially their Aunt Letitia, whom they’ve not seen since their christening. Also, a number of neighbors have called. On you, not on me. It is your duty to respond.”

“In any case,” he repeated, “I’ve only managed to delay my Aunt Letitia by promising to make haste to London. I shall be glad to accompany you to Town if you are willing to delay your departure until the Ghost returns.”

Daphne ignored the leaping and fluttering in her chest and said coolly, “When would that be?” Not that it mattered, as she’d done nothing about arranging her own plans.

“Unfortunately, it will be almost a month.”

A month! A month! She would have him here for another month!

“I will see if it fits with my plans.”

He winked at her. “Well, that’s all a man can ask, isn’t it?”

Daphne looked down at the toast she’d been holding halfway to her mouth for the past minute and bit it. Hard.

The meal continued in silence until Hugh pushed away from the table and leaned back in his chair, patting his flat midriff with one massive hand. “Poor Pasha! I’m afraid I shall need a ladder to mount him after this meal.”

Daphne pulled her eyes from the taut, narrow waist of his coat to the empty plates in front of him. “You are an insatiable eater.”

He stretched his immaculately booted legs while regarding her through a half-closed eye. “I am insatiable in many ways.”

The small bite of toast she’d taken expanded to the size of a loaf and she masticated laboriously before swallowing.

“What business have you in town?” She was impressed by how cool she sounded when he continued to look at her in such a manner.

“I, too, have some banking. It’s damned inconvenient hauling around trunks filled with pieces of eight.” Daphne’s eyes widened and Hugh laughed. “My dear Daphne, you really must not believe everything I say. I am actually well-acquainted with bank draughts.”

A new fantasy filled her mind, this one involving her teacup and his beautiful head.

He smiled, blissfully unaware of her violent thoughts. “Will tells me I can find some decent livestock and perhaps even a suitable rig in Tunbridge.” He took another drink of ale and casually dragged the back of his massive hand across his mouth.

Daphne’s cup clattered against her saucer.

“Oh, I beg your pardon,” he said when he saw her shocked expression. He plucked up his napkin and dabbed it lightly over his mocking smile, making Daphne realize his lapse in table manners had been deliberate. She shook her head; he seemed unable to resist provoking a rise from her and she seemed unable to resist obliging him.

He tossed his napkin onto the table before standing, his lithe movements giving no sign he’d just consumed enough food for three men. “I should be off if I am going to be back by dinner. I shall see you this evening, Daphne.”