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James laughed. “That does sound like Mama.”
“Did you not see Simon during your time in London, Lucas?” Isaac asked.
“I’m sorry to say I did not,” Lucas replied. He’d intended to travel to Primrose Farm alone, but spending the afternoon with his brothers would do him good—despite the guilt he was now feeling over his avoidance of Simon while he’d been in Town.
“Probably just as well,” Thomas said. “Simon has some wild oats to sow, and I’m not sure he’s done sowing them yet or that Mama will like what she sees if and when he does arrive home.”
“I had no idea,” Isaac said, his brow wrinkled in vicarly concern. “I would have done something before now had I known.”
“Which is precisely why the little bounder chose to write to me over the past year or so and not you, Isaac,” Thomas replied.
“He’s not as bad as all that, surely,” Isaac said.
“We all sow our wild oats in one way or another,” James said, looking slightly bored at having to explain this to Isaac. “Lucas went off to play soldier. Thomas and I did as much reveling as studying while at university. Simon merely has the fate of being the youngest of five brothers and must exceed our accomplishments—both bad and good—in order to find his place amongst us. He’ll be fine.”
“I hope you’re right,” Isaac said. “I never felt the need to sow any oats.”
“Weknow,” James said in a dramatically exasperated tone, making the other brothers laugh.
“You were born pious, Isaac,” Thomas added. “We were always concerned you were going to confess our boyhood pranks to Father and we would get a birching as a result.”
Isaac shrugged with mock modesty. “’Tis true. I was the most perfect of all our parents’ sons.”
“And still are to this day,” Lucas said. “As you remind us on a regular basis.”
“Pride must be the reason you have not entered sainthood yet,” James said wryly. “As soon has you have developed humility regarding your perfection, I shall contact the Archbishop myself on your behalf.”
Isaac laughed.
“Now that we’ve settled all that, are we allowed to join you on your errand this afternoon or not, Lucas?” James asked.
“Do I have a choice in the matter?” Lucas said.
“No.”
“Then, by all means, I welcome the company.”
