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The countess was also putting away her handkerchief. She looked at her brother and mother and beamed happily at them.
“We shall be here for the whole Season, Mama, and I should like to stay with you, if that is convenient? Edmund will be going back and forth between here and the country during the Season, and when it concludes, we will take up permanent residence in the country.”
The dowager baroness nodded, embracing her daughter again.
“Of course, you must stay, that’s wonderful news!” she said, turning to her son-in-law. “You are welcome to stay too, Edmund, when you are in Town.”
Edmund bowed gracefully.
“Thank you, Lady Elsbrook,” he said warmly. “But I fear it is likely that I will often simply have to rest wherever I end up each day. But I am sure I will also be taking you up on your kind offer too, so that I may spend time with my beautiful wife.”
The baroness smiled.
“Very good,” she said. “Now, tell me. Have you thought of any names for the baby yet?”
The women went back to their excited chatter about the arrival of the baby. Andrew was happy to deal just with Edmund’s company. They discussed the weather, the upcoming races, and news about the latest trends in business. Andrew learned that the earl had recently opened a line of trade for importing precious metals for making jewelry. He made a mental note to catch up on all the latest trade trends.
About an hour later, his mother rose from her seat, giving Andrew a very pointed look.
“It is almost time to begin getting ready for the ball,” she said.
Andrew muffled a groan as he also stood. He walked over and took his sister’s hands, kissing her cheek.
“It’s so good to have you home again,” he said sincerely. “And again, I am perfectly thrilled about becoming an uncle.”
Gemma blushed and smiled at her brother.
“Thank you, Andrew,” she said.
He and his mother excused themselves, leaving the earl and countess to finish their tea and then get settled into their chambers. The dowager baroness turned to Andrew, her eyes once again sharp.
“Please, don’t be late,” she said before turning on her heels and going to her bedchambers.
He waited until the door had closed behind her before he sighed heavily.
“Wouldn’t dream of it, Mother,” he muttered.
Andrew summoned Wallace, who followed him promptly to his bedchambers.
“Not that one, Wallace,” he said, eyeing the beautifully embroidered vest and coat the valet had laid out for him on the bed. “Something plainer. In fact . . .” He went to the wardrobe and pulled out a plain back coat, handing it to Wallace as he began to undress. “That’ll do nicely.”
“Of course, sir,” Wallace said, a look of resignation on his face.
They quickly went through their usual routine, and soon, Andrew was dressed but for his coat and sat on the stool while Wallace styled his hair. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror, watching his being combed neatly into shape. As always, one rogue strand hung down into his hazel-green eyes, and he smirked. His mother had already told him he needed a haircut, but he refused to oblige. A small rebellion, he knew, but satisfying all the same. When he was ready, he dismissed Wallace and had a couple of fortifying drinks to pass the time until it was time to leave for the soirée.
An hour later, Andrew and his mother were in the carriage on their way to Cresingdale Manor. To his surprise, Lady Elsbrook had not made any comment about his plain appearance or his hair. In fact, she seemed teeming with happiness, which was something else he was not accustomed to seeing in her. He decided to be grateful and just try to get through the night.
“Gemma expecting is certainly happy news,” she said suddenly.
Andrew nodded, understanding his mother’s mood.
“It is, indeed,” he said. “I couldn’t be happier for her and Edmund.”
His mother fell silent again, but she didn’t take her eyes off him. He raised his eyebrows inquisitively at her and was about to ask her why she was looking at him, but then it hit him: She was hinting to him that he should do as his sister had—marry and produce children.
Once more, he thought of his father and the late baron’s obsession with wealth and titles. Andrew was determined to adhere to his vow never to continue the Elsbrook bloodline. Lady Elsbrook didn’t need to understand why. He understood, and he felt it was imperative not to take part in producing another heir who might turn out to be just like his father. Or to risk becoming that way himself.
To Andrew’s relief, the carriage arrived at Cresingdale Manor just then. His mother looked as though she wanted to speak again, but the halting of the carriage stopped her. He jumped up and opened the coach door, leaping to the ground to help her down.
