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Richard refilled the tumbler.
“Would you like me to send for a larger glass?” Samuel asked, then barrelled on with no care if his brother might reply, asking, “Why the Duchess of Aspen?”
He hoped whatever trouble Richard had found this time, it didn’t have anything to do with the Duchess.
“The gossip sheets. That’s all they have to say about her. She likes to read.”
Despite his anger, interest pulled at Samuel. Through her new husband, the Duchess of Aspen had access to Mr. Jasper Mclintock and the Marquess and Marchioness Greydrake. All were known for their charitable endeavours to improve the lives of London’s poor. Samuel had long thought a free-of-charge, open-to-all library could be intrinsic to their efforts. Yes, there remained rampant illiteracy to tackle, but the library could address that with—
“…aren’t listening to a word I’m saying,” Richard stated loudly.
Samuel blinked rapidly, long lashes brushing against the lenses of his spectacles.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Gads, the mere mention of books and off your mind goes. I’m trying to tell you something important here, Sammy.”
Samuel removed his glasses, pulled out a handkerchief and started to clean them.
“My apologies. You were saying?”
“I was saying, I’m finally going to wed and begin a family and take over all of this from you.”
Richard gestured vaguely about the room.
Samuel shoved his glasses back on his face.
“Not that painted creature you left in the parlour with Mother?”
“Who?”
“Babette.”
“Her? God no. I only brought her because she was with me when I settled on the idea of having Mother summon you.”
“With you?” Samuel asked, unsure he wished to know.
“En flagrant délit.”
“Saying it in French doesn’t make it less despicable.” Samuel’s gaze flicked to the mantel clock. “It’s the middle of the afternoon.”
Richard shrugged.
“You enjoy reading. I enjoy more rigorous activities.”
Samuel shook his head, rattling out the urge to further reproach his brother, for it wouldn’t do any good.
“Who is this, uh, lucky woman, then, that you intend to wed?”
“The youngest sister of the Duchess of Aspen. She’s the most stunning, vibrant new young woman making her come out this Season.”
That explained his brother’s interest in the Duchess and her reading.
“And the young lady and her family have agreed?”
“Not yet. I haven’t gotten around to an introduction.”
“You want me to strike up a friendship with the Duchess over our shared enthusiasm for reading, so I might manoeuvre an introduction with her sister?”
