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Chapter Five
Innes opened oneeye and groaned as his valet plunked down a glass of the same vile concoction he’d brought him yesterday.
“I thought you might be in need of this, my lord.”
“It so happens, I am.” He sat up with a groan, drank the odious liquid in several large gulps, and then handed the glass back to his valet, who had, by this time, drawn aside the elegant drapes to allow sunshine to stream in.
Innes scowled at him. “I ought to shoot you, Wilcox. Are you trying to blind me?”
“I would feel the same if my head were splitting apart,” he said, returning to his bedside. “Perhaps you ought to seek other ways to pass these late-night hours than drinking yourself into oblivion. Two days in a row now, my lord. I only ask out of concern for you. What has happened to suddenly turn you into a sot?”
His head was pounding too hard for him to bother chastising the man. “Hyacinth Brayden.”
Wilcox had the audacity to grin. “That didn’t take long. Good for her.”
He scowled. “Need I remind you that you aremyvalet. Inmyemploy.”
“I hope I have done my job to your satisfaction, my lord.” He glanced toward the hearth where a tub filled with steaming water stood. “Your bath is ready.”
He must have been drunker than he realized, for he had not heard the tub being rolled in or the footmen tramping in with water-laden buckets. “Set out my clothes for me, Wilcox.”
By the time he stepped out of his bath, his head was no longer pounding, and his eyes were no longer red and burning. The ingredients in his drink had done the trick, but he knew Wilcox was right to be concerned about him. Seeking solace in a bottle was not the answer. Besides, he would slowly poison himself if he made a daily habit of drinking that hideous witch’s brew to rid himself of his hangover. He was certain Wilcox had taken the ingredients straight out of Shakespeare’sMacbeth, tossing in eye of newt, toe of frog, and even tongue of dog.
Once shaved and dressed, he marched downstairs to his study. He’d ordered his breakfast sent in there, and once again spent most of his day with his solicitor, determined to ignore these feelings he held for Hyacinth because they scared him. “Haversham, how was your tiny Tim’s recital?”
The man could have popped the buttons on his vest; his chest was so puffed up with pride. “It was marvelous, my lord. Thank you for asking. Mrs. Haversham and I could not help but spill tears over his brilliant performance.”
Innes grinned.
Tim could have sounded like a bleating goat, and his parents would have been up on their feet and cheering as though he were England’s greatest singer. He recalled his father doing the same, though rarely, but it had been enough for him. He’d been so starved for his father’s love…no, his father had always loved him. Sometimes, a little boy needed to actually see it shown.
With his father’s blessing, Romulus Brayden had filled that role. The years he’d served as a cabin boy to Romulus had been the happiest years for him.
Days of heaven.
That’s how he’d thought of his time under sail on thePlover, learning the ways of the sea from this good and patient man. He’d always looked forward to returning to London with him and being mothered by Violet. Then Hyacinth had been born. He’d been there when she’d taken her first steps. Spoken her first words. It was as though the girl had waited for him to return to London before accomplishing each feat.
Well, more than likely, she was waiting for her father’s return, not his. But he was heartened by it anyway. Even at that young age, she would look at him as though he was someone important to her. Yes, baby Hyacinth had a special look for her mother. A special look for her father. And a special look for him.
He ran a hand through his hair, surprisingly shaken by the memory.
She had been too young to speak, but he knew what she was trying to tell them all. I love you, my Mama. I love you, my Papa. I love you, my Innes.
Haversham set down his papers and regarded him with concern. “My lord, is something wrong?”
“No, Mr. Haversham. I have just realized something very right. Do forgive me, but I have something important to do. We shall resume tomorrow at this same time.”
He rose to signal an end to their meeting. Mr. Haversham hastily gathered his documents and rose along with him. “Until tomorrow, my lord. Are you certain you are all right? You have the oddest look on your face.”
“I am perfectly well. Better than I have been in ages.” He needed to see Hyacinth. He needed to kiss Hyacinth.
Would she be angry he’d forgotten the gift box she’d saved for him all these years? He would use it as an excuse to head over there immediately and see her.
But no sooner had his solicitor departed than Holmes was at his study door, wringing his hands. “My lord, your brothers are here to see you.”
His gut twisted, knowing these vipers had not come to bring good cheer. “All four?”
He nodded. “I’ve put them in the guest parlor, but perhaps I should not have allowed them in at all.”
