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“Not any more than you. Your calendar is quite full. How was the theater?”
Dita flopped on the couch in front of the fire. Stuffing a pillow behind her head, she propped her legs on the arm of the settee. “Boring. Everything you would expect from sitting in a box for hours with nothing of substance discussed.”
Roddy brought his snifter of brandy and sat across from her, stretching his long legs in front of the hearth. “That bad? But you always enjoy the company of people and find good humor in any situation. Maybe you are still tired from the ball? Organizing such a grand fete was demanding.”
“You might be right.”
“Youareout of sorts to concede so easily that I’m right,” Roddy teased.
Dita laughed. “Mathematically speaking, there have to be times when you’re correct.”
“How generous you are, Dita. If you continue in this manner, I might not recognize you.”
“Do you have any news of the war that you can share?”
Roddy rarely shared and was very adept at changing the topic. “We discussed the production of battle ships and recruitment to man the new ships. Taking men from the farms and their trades has implications for our lands and future food shortages.”
Dita hid her surprise that Roddy willingly discussed his meetings. He must be tired. “Thank you. I appreciate when you can give me insight into what our country faces.”
“You are the most curious woman I know… but I would think you have more interesting news.”
Dita turned her head to inspect Roddy’s face. Had Roddy heard about Dash and her on the balcony? They hadn’t exactly been discreet. Or possibly, Yardley or Vinson mentioned her questions.
“Nothing of import.” Dita smiled.
“There are bets at my club about a Frenchman who has captured your attention. The betting is heavy. Lord Beauvoir is favored to become your betrothed.”
Dita jumped off the couch, feeling a sudden burst of energy. “It was a joke. I can’t believe that the rumors have spread so quickly.”
“A joke? I don’t understand. Has Beauvoir won your affections? I know he has shown interest.”
“No. Never. The man has only one topic. Himself.” Dita paced in front of the fireplace. “Emmy commented that a Frenchman stirred my passions to distract all the questions about my possible suitors.”
He saw it as his responsibility to find her a suitor. She couldn’t burden him with her lack of interest in marriage when he had so many responsibilities.
“I’m relieved to hear he is not the one you’ve chosen. I find him insufferable.”
Roddy and Perdita laughed together. And for a brief moment, all was right in her world. Memories of Roddy, ignoring her governess and taking her out for a ride when her parents were engaged in one of their screaming battles, took her out of her brooding. He had tried to shield her when he was home. She had finally made her escape when she was sent to Miss Danvers.
“I’m glad that we are in agreement.” Dita sat down.
“I had always hoped that you and Dash…” Roddy stared at the fire. “I can’t think of a better man for you. But now… I don’t know what to think. He would have kept you in line where I have failed.” He looked up from the fire and grinned.
Dita couldn’t take umbrage with Roddy. Not when the mood between them was warm and comforting. She had missed her brother when he had been in France. But she rarely saw him now that he returned. He was weighed down with demanding and heavy duties which he barely shared with her. He’d hoped that his work with the treaty would have prevented the war commencing.
“Have you ever thought I might have been the one to keep Dash in line?” The comment had been said in jest but neither laughed. There was an unspoken agreement shared when their eyes met.
“You would be the best antidote for what ails him. You’re the light to his darkness. You could always make him laugh, take him out of his black moods.”
“His need to gamble? Some say it’s an ailment that people can’t control. Does he have the sickness? I don’t think there is a cure.”
“He never had any trouble when we were young bucks on the town. He was always bored since he always won with his genius mathematical skills. Some gentlemen get in deep quickly, but Dash was always able to walk away from the game.”
It seemed Dash was a master of walking away from many things.
“When his father died, I’d thought he’d be happy that he didn’t have to deal with the cruel man.”
Dash had never shared what he had suffered under his father’s hand, but Roddy had. Dash’s father was worse than theirs. Which in her mind had to be pretty awful. Roddy would never give her any details except that Dash’s father had an explosive temper when he was in his cups, which was often.
