Page 63 of Affair

“Yes, I did, as a matter of fact. But I followed one of the recipes for making a mild acid and somehow managed to spill the stuff all over my copy of the book.” Hamilton smiled. “It quite ruined the pages.”

“I see. Hamilton, I am aware that we have little in common but we do share a mutual interest in your inheritance.”

Alarm lit Hamilton’s eyes. “Now, see here, Baxter, if you think to steal my fortune—”

“There is no need to become agitated, I have no intention of helping myself to your money.” Baxter walked to the windowsill and looked at the three sweet pea pots. There was still no sign of any green shoots. “But it has occurred to me that, as the money I now manage for you will one day be yours, you might have some interest in learning how to invest it.”

“Explain yourself.”

Baxter met his eyes. “I could show you how to deal with bankers and men of business. I would be happy to teach you the various ways of investing your income. How to employ the people you will require to manage your estates. That kind of thing.”

“I want nothing from you except the money that is rightfully mine. I am not a child who requires a tutor in finances. There is nothing I can learn from you. Not one damned thing. Is that understood?”

“Yes.”

Hamilton turned back toward the door with an angry, disgusted motion. “I have wasted enough time here today. I have better things to do.”

The door opened just as he reached for the knob. Lambert loomed. He gazed impassively at Baxter. “A somewhat impetuous visitor to see you, sir.”

“Baxter.” Charlotte rushed into the laboratory without waiting for Lambert to finish announcing her. “I must tell you what has just happened. I have had the most amazing … Ooomph.” She broke off in breathless confusion as she barely avoided a collision with Hamilton. “I beg your pardon, sir, I did not see you there.”

“I do not believe that you and my half brother were introduced last night,” Baxter said. “We left the ball somewhat early, if you will recall.”

Charlotte glanced at Baxter. A hint of pink tinged her cheeks but he could not decide if the color was the result of her present state of high excitement or because she was remembering her passionate response to him last night.

“Yes, we did leave early,” she murmured politely.

“Allow me to present the Earl of Esherton,” Baxter said. “Hamilton, this is my fiancée, Miss Charlotte Arkendale.”

Charlotte smiled warmly at Hamilton. “Your lordship.”

Baxter watched her sink into an elegant curtsy.

“Miss Arkendale.” Hamilton’s scowl vanished as he took her hand. An unmistakable eagerness lit his eyes. “Lady Trengloss introduced me to your lovely sister last night. I had the very great honor of dancing with her. She is a most charming lady.”

“In that we are agreed, my lord,” Charlotte said.

Baxter cleared his throat. “You have not congratulated me on my engagement, Hamilton.”

Hamilton’s jaw clenched mutinously but the demands of civility prevailed. “My apologies. My felicitations to you both. If you will pardon me, I must be on my way.”

“Of course,” Charlotte said.

Hamilton nodded and hurried through the door.

Charlotte waited until they were alone. Then she favored Baxter with a bright, approving smile.

“So, you decided to take your brother in hand, after all.” She removed her straw bonnet. “Lady Esherton will be greatly relieved, I’m sure.”

“Not bloody likely. Hamilton does not want any advice from me.” Baxter frowned at the clock. “Where the devil have you been, Charlotte? I sent a message around to your house an hour and a half ago. I got a note back from your sister informing me that you were out.”

“It is a long story.” She turned slowly on her heel, examining the laboratory with an expression of great interest. “So this is where you perform your chemical experiments.”

“Yes.” He watched her walk to the windowsill.

“What have you got in these three pots?”

“Sweet pea seeds. I’m conducting an experiment to test the efficacy of adding certain minerals to soil that has been worn out from too many plantings.”

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