Page 24 of Watching the Earl

“Do what?”

“This. Fulfill my role as the Earl of Durham. When I didn’t care about the estates it was easy, but now I care, maybe too much. And to add a wife…” He shook his head, suddenly feeling as if he were stuck in the mud of a back road, unable to get out, his father looking down on him in disappointment.

Tamworth laid a hand on his shoulder. “I don’t know what demons you fight with, but if you wish to hold your estate, the marriage is not something you can avoid.”

Philip knew that. He’d set events in motion that could not now be stopped. All he could do was bumble along as he could. But that was what he’d been doing. He needed to do better. “You know I’m not gambling anymore.”

“You aren’t? I’d say that’s a good thing.”

He nodded, not even sure why he’d spoken of it. Still, he kept silent that it was a specific clause in the betrothal contract. If he was found placing a bet anywhere, Lord Edgerton would let Society know the terms of the marriage, which was not something he was willing to risk. “I imagine my future wife wouldn’t like me gambling away the roof over her head. I admit, I haven’t fully contemplated the changes that will occur once I have a wife. She will be my responsibility.”

“Yes, but she can also be your companion and a great help in all that you must do. I can tell you, Stoneleigh House would not be nearly so far along if it weren’t for Sophie. You’re lucky that you have a Curious Lady for a future bride. They are very intelligent. I admit I didn’t realize how much, but now, married over a month, I can say with certainty that marrying Sophie helped my timeline instead of hurting it.”

A wife as a help? He found that doubtful, but didn’t say as much. “I see now I need to learn a lot more about the Lady Georgina.”

“To that end, Sophie is having some of her old classmates to our townhouse this week. Lady Georgina will be receiving an invitation. If you think you can escort her, you’re welcome to help me with a few decisions I need to make about the renovations. I’d appreciate your thoughts on some plans I’ve drawn up.”

Philip rose. “I can do that. It’s the least I can do. Just be aware, my opinion may not be as valuable as you would like.”

Tamworth laughed. “Don’t worry. Yours isn’t the only opinion I’m searching out.”

“Good. Have your wife send me the details, and I’ll be sure Lady Georgina is there.”

“I will. Now, mind if I join you on your ride across the park?”

“I’d consider it an honor.”

Tamworth laughed again as he mounted up. Once Philip was mounted as well, they set off at a goodly pace, the fresh air clearing Philip’s mind of all his responsibilities for a while.

Once they’d gone their separate ways, Philip handed his horse off to his coachman and headed down Bond Street. He might not know much about Lady Georgina, but he did know what she loved to eat. In no time he’d arrived at Monsieur Armand’s, purchased a box of bird-shaped marzipan, and had it sent to his betrothed with a note that he would call on her later in the day.

He’d been avoiding calling on Lady Georgina in her home because of her mother, but they were only a week away from being married and he had no compunction about telling Lady Edgerton to leave the room. Tamworth was right: he needed to learn a few more things about his future wife, and he was quite sure she wouldn’t speak freely in front of her mother. He certainly wouldn’t.

Having set his plan in motion, he moved on to the tailor’s and then stopped at Truefitt & Hill to purchase his cologne and have it sent to his rooms. After facing poverty, he felt a new appreciation for those items he took for granted. As he returned to the Albany to change for his call, he found his valet, Mr. Gibson, flirting with a maid. He smirked as the woman giggled. His man had a way with the ladies.

About to take the stairs, he hesitated. If he’d lost his fortune, he would have had to dress himself, but even worse, where would Gibson have gone? Philip would have given the man excellent references, but Gibson had been with him since the age of sixteen. He’d never thought about the myriad people he employed when he discovered he’d lost the bet. But now it was becoming clear that his frivolous action would have impacted hundreds of lives.

The thought was sobering and had him climbing the stairs at a much slower pace than usual.

“My lord, have you returned for tea?” Gibson walked briskly forward to open the door to their temporary apartments.

“No, I have returned to change. I will be calling on my betrothed.”

Gibson grinned. “Even better. Allow me to suggest your dark blue. It accentuates your eyes and gives you a happier air.”

Philip stopped at the doorway. “Happier. Are you saying I don’t appear happy?”

“Exactly.”

He started forward, talking to Gibson over his shoulder. “I don’t see how a happier appearance would make a difference with the lady. She has already agreed to wed me, so if I don’t look particularly happy, she will simply have to make do. I will be her husband and that is that.” It wasn’t as if he’d had a lot to be happy about lately, though he could count finding a wife whose dowry would save his home as an event of great relief.

“Of course, sir. What would you like to wear, then?”

He stopped in his bedroom and untied his cravat. Did it really matter what clothes he wore? He’d never courted a woman before, as he’d not planned to marry anytime soon. He’d enjoyed his time with his friends, mostly Manning and Wellsley, until Tamworth had returned from teaching at Oxford. He should count himself lucky he would never need to court one now. “I shall depend upon your better experience with courtship, Gibson.” He waved his hand. “Whatever you feel is best.”

Within minutes he was dressed in his blue pantaloons, white shirt, a paisley waistcoat with blues in the pattern, and his blue tailcoat. He looked at himself in the mirror and acknowledged that it did make him appear happier. Was that the impression he wished to make while discussing important matters?

“I do say, sir, the lady will be congratulating herself on having landed such a well-countenanced husband.”