Page 50 of His Lordship's True Lady
Worth’s expression was hard to read, as if he’d like to say something, but couldn’t quite find the words. His skills lay more with numbers, and God be thanked for those skills.
“I’m here to discuss a matter of some delicacy,” Hessian went on. “Consultation with a sensible family member might help me see the best way forward.”
Worth preceded him onto the terrace, where the Alsatian crouched like a sphinx on a patch of sun-warmed bricks. “I am ever ready to lend my counsel to your situation.”
“I seek the opinion of asensiblefamily member,” Hessian retorted. “Yolanda insists on rusticating at Trysting, so I was hoping Jacaranda might spare me a few moments.”
Worth propped a hip against the balustrade. “You just made a joke. A bad joke, but a joke nonetheless.” He scanned the sky. “No airborne swine. Interesting.”
They exchanged a smile, the like of which they hadn’t exchanged for years, then Hessian knelt to pet the dog.
“I’m considering offering for Lily Ferguson.”
The dog rolled to her back, tongue lolling, tail waving even in her undignified position. Hessian knew exactly how she felt. Life was sweet. What mattered dignity?
“You did mention this. I’ve barely started looking into Leggett’s situation, Hessian. When do you intend to begin paying your addresses?”
“I see no reason to hesitate. The sooner I’m engaged, the sooner the merry widows and blushing debutantes will leave me in peace.” And the sooner he and Lily could be married. No need to state the obvious.
“Andromeda Kettering, where are your manners?”
Worth’s stern tone provoked the dog to cocking her head, which made her pose all the more ludicrous.
“I have begun a few inquiries,” Worth said. “I’ve set my clerks to making others. They will gather the best intelligence, from other clerks, opera dancers, moneylenders, and pawnbrokers. If Leggett’s rolled up, he’s done a damned fine job of keeping it out of the clubs.”
Hessian rose, for the dog would let him scratch her belly until Michaelmas. “If he’s rolled up, won’t that become apparent during the settlement negotiations? Thanks to my brilliant brother, I have no need to marry an heiress.”
Worth took up tummy-scratching duty. “But you should marry wisely, Hess. If Lily is an heiress, where’s her fortune? If her fortune is gone, where did it go? Does Leggett have a gambling problem? Does Lily have an aunt in the care of a very expensive, discreet institution in Northumbria? You’ve waited this long to take another wife, you can wait a few more weeks.”
Hessian plucked a sprig of honeysuckle from below the balustrade. “I am torn between appreciation for your caution and impatience with what feels like needless dithering. I’m marrying Lily, not her dratted relations.”
The scent of the flower was sweet and soothing and put Hessian in mind of his baby niece.
“Hessian, at the risk of provoking your considerable contrariness, you aren’t marrying anybody yet. First, you must make an appointment with Leggett, then the appointment must go well, then the courtship ensues, and finally the lady—why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you’ve grown up. I daresay you gave the protocol not a single thought when you courted Jacaranda, but God forbid my nieces encounter a suitor such as you were. You’re saying the situation could become messy.”
“Very. Leggett doesn’t smell right.”
Lily’s fragrance was even sweeter than the honeysuckle. “Very well, take some time to turn over a few rocks and poke about beneath a few hedges. Why are we out here getting the stink of dog all over our hands when we could be in the nursery making my infant niece smile?”
Worth rose, and the dog, apparently sensing that the conversation was headed elsewhere, wiggled to her feet.
“Why, indeed? By all means, let’s make a raid on the nursery,though I suspect it has been overrun by Vandals or Yahoos or the 95thRifles.”
With the dog panting at Worth’s side, they returned to the house. Worth’s manner was subdued, for him, though perhaps it was more the case that Hessian’s mood wasunsubdued. To begin every day kissing Lily, truly kissing her. To pour her tea, hold her chair…
Hold her babies.
Hessian contented himself with holding Worth’s firstborn for the two minutes that her papa allowed him the privilege. The Queens of the Nile had taken over the schoolroom and used blankets and desks to put a canopy over their royal barge, beneath which they consumed exotic fig cakes.
The fig cakes bore a strong resemblance to crumpets, which Hessian knew better than to remark.
He also knew better than to fuss when Worth demanded possession of the baby. Papas could be jealous where their daughters were concerned.
And throughout all of the children’s laughter and the baby’s smiles, Worth remained oddly quiet.
“Something is troubling you,” Hessian said as they closed the nursery door. Daisy had elected to spend the afternoon with Avery, which decision gave Hessian a pang.
