Page 44 of Barbarous

“Yes, that is true,” Hugh admitted. He wanted to deal carefully with the twins’ godlike image of the late earl. “Your father was perhaps the best horseman I ever saw,” Hugh said, speaking the truth.

Richard flushed, his rosy skin causing him to look the very image of his mother, but for his brown eyes.

The sound of a throat being cleared made Hugh look up.

“Lucien, Richard. You’ve seen Lord Ramsay and now we should return to the schoolroom.” Rowena refused to look at Hugh.

“Nonsense,” Hugh said, taking childish pleasure in contradicting the old crone. “The boys are welcome to relax in my chambers while I finish getting ready. I will see they return to the schoolroom after they’ve passed along any news I’ve missed while lounging in bed.”

“The curate will be here for their lessons at the half hour, my lord.”

Hugh could see she was burning to defy him but didn’t dare. “I’ll have them back before then.”

She dropped a perfunctory curtsy and turned on her heel.

Hugh smiled down at the boys. “I know Mr. Boswell felt your absence keenly these past days.” Hugh knew the opposite was true but couldn’t see why the odious little beast shouldn’t endure a proper mauling, just as he had.

Mr. Boswell emerged from his boudoir at the sound of his name and stretched with majestic languidness. He gave the boys one of his most disdainful looks while putting on his fez, taking his time adjusting the red felt hat in the small mirror that hung beside the door.

The twins loved the display and surrounded the monkey, peering into his house, opening and closing the cunningly designed doors and windows under Mr. Boswell’s gimlet eye.

Hugh turned to find Kemal holding up a coat.

He grimaced. “I suppose I must.” He gritted his teeth as Kemal helped him into the garment and then tied his left arm in a sling he’d made from one of Hugh’s old coats.

Hugh grinned. “Very fashionable, Kemal.”

Kemal gave Hugh a slight smile before handing him his signet ring and ruby fob.

Hugh turned to the boys. “Shall we take a quick trip to the stables and assure ourselves Pasha has taken no harm from my ham-handed treatment?”

“Huzzah!” Lucien yelled.

They arrived in the stables to find Will speaking with a groom.

“My lord.” The smaller man gave Hugh a genuinely pleased smile—the first one since he’d returned home. So, all he’d needed to do to regain William’s friendship was crack a few bones and rattle his wits.

“We have come to see Pasha. He is well, I hope?”

“Aye, my lord, fit as a fiddle.” Will led them past a dozen stalls to reach Pasha’s. The massive horse was lolling against the far side and chewing a mouthful of hay in a desultory fashion. Hugh clucked his tongue and Pasha ambled over. Hugh smoothed his muzzle, giving him words of praise before he spoke the command that meant he should remain still.

“You may enter and pet him,” Hugh told the boys.

He turned to Will but kept the twins in view. “Well? Out with it, I can see something is bothering you.”

Will’s jaw worked as if he were chewing a mouthful of rocks. “Has Lady Davenport told you about your saddle?”

“My saddle? No.”

“Somebody cut your girth.”

Hugh gaped. “I beg your pardon?”

“Aye, somebody tampered with it.” Will kept an eye on the boys while Hugh studied him.

“Somebody?” Hugh repeated. “Who in God’s name would do such a thing?”

Will shrugged.