Page 6 of Charming Artemis

Strange, perhaps, but Charlie wasn’t embarrassed by his passion for numbers. He’d come to appreciate that he had a knack for something. He’d found purpose and focus in knowing, at last, what he was meant to do with his life. No one grew wealthy being a Cambridge don, but he would have an occupation and an income. That small influx of funds combined with the modest income he received from his late father’s estate would be enough to live on quite comfortably. He would find himself a set of humble rooms somewhere near the university, hire on a housekeeper, and live a quiet and fulfilling life, sharing his love of mathematics with other “strange” people like himself.

He would live out that life as a bachelor, but such was the trade-off one made when choosing a career as a don. It was not merely a matter of not having enough money to support a wife or family in any real comfort or ease. According to the university’s rules, a don could not be married. That had bothered him at first, enough that he’d dismissed the possibility of pursuing the path. But no career open to him had ever proven the least appealing other than this one. More than being merely acceptable now, he was excited for it. He had been pursuing it with earnestness for almost two years, and he was growing ever closer to making it a reality.

“My father is quite beside himself that your oldest brother and sister-in-law will be in attendance this evening,” Newton said. “He finds your family quite impressive.”

“And you haven’t corrected that impression?” Toss clicked his tongue. “Living a life of lies. I am so disappointed in you.”

“Who am I to cast aspersions on the Jonquil name? I leave that in Charlie’s capable hands.” Newton was a good gun. If only he weren’t done at Cambridge. The three of them, along with the fourth and fifth members of their gang, Duke and Fennel, had undertaken a lot of larks during their time at university.

“My sisters-in-law will have to save the family name, I suppose,” Charlie said. “They could manage it.”

“Your brothers chose well,” Newton said.

Charlie offered his friend a smile. “As did you.”

“Do you suppose you’ll ever meet a lady who turns your head enough for you to consider giving up your career as a don?” Toss asked. “I struggle to imagine any lady capturing your affection as fully as mathematics has.”

“I am not discounting the possibility,” Charlie said, “but I would have to be entirely and life-alteringly in love, and she would not only have to feel the same way but also be willing to live a life of poverty. As that perfect combination likely does not exist, I find myself quite content and pleased at the prospect of a very academic bachelorhood.”

“But if you did fall madly in love?” Toss pressed.

“I would pen you a letter written entirely in pentameter declaring my change of plans.”

“Will I receive one as well?” Newton asked.

“Of course.”

Toss gave Newton a look of amused comradery. “I will watch for the post every day with bated breath.”

“You’ll suffocate, mate,” was Newton’s typically dry response.

The carriage pulled to a stop in front of the Duke of Kielder’s town house. The place was not busy yet. Newton, being the bridegroom, was to arrive a bit ahead of the start of the ball. Charlie, given the choice between spending the evening with his friends or his brother, chose the former. He didn’t dislike his brother, any of them, but he never felt expendable amongst his friends.

They were ushered inside by the very proper butler and accompanied to the spot just outside the ballroom where the resident family and Newton would greet the guests at the beginning of the ball. The three of them sat on chairs in the large corridor, knowing they would be made to wait until their hosts and Newton’s bride completed their preparations for the evening.

“Are your future parents-in-law expected this evening?” Charlie asked as servants rushed about, finishing their preparations.

Newton nodded. “But they have been made to promise they would behave. The duke terrifies them enough that even Ellie is not worried they will cause trouble.”

“Will that fear be enough to keep them from causing you difficulties the rest of your life?” Charlie worried about that. He considered Ellie a friend as well and didn’t wish to see her made unhappy. “You’ll be family forever.”

“Do you truly think Artemis wouldn’t lay waste to half the kingdom to avenge Ellie if her family made her the least unhappy? Or that I wouldn’t do the same?”

For all Charlie didn’t like Artemis nor she him, he had to admit she was very loyal to her group of particular friends and did not hesitate to come to their defense. That one of her friends was soon to marry one of his meant he’d not be able to avoid her entirely over the coming years. But she could be endured now and then for Newton’s sake. And Ellie’s.

“I envy you a little,” Charlie said. “You’re marrying your perfect match.”

“A fate I wish on both of you,” Newton said. “A lady will cross your path, and you’ll lose your heart. I will attend your betrothal balls and be every bit as difficult as you are being.”

“Difficult?” Toss scoffed. “The word you’re searching for ischarismatic.”

“No, no, no.” Newton shook his head. “That is not your role at all.”

“Then whatismine?” Toss asked.

Charlie assumed an expression of uncertainty. “Annoying?”

“I hope you’re the next to marry,” Toss said. “Then you’ll be your wife’s problem.”

---