Page 34 of Under the Seductive Ladys Charm
“No formalities? Must be dire,” James drawled out as he sank down gracefully into one of the chairs.
There was nothing James could do to rush Branson, so he was forced to wait while his brother painstakingly wrote down whatever it was he was working on. Even as a child, Branson had been a stubborn and serious soul. He worked until he seemed satisfied with his papers, then he stacked them neatly and set them aside.
Branson looked up at James and folded his hands in front of him on his desk. “James, it has come to my attention that you are cordial with several ladies. I understand that your current situation may not be suitable for courting and would like to offer you residence at the family estate once again.”
“You mean the current situation where you kicked me out, Brother? You left me all but destitute.” James tugged on his jacket, venting his frustrations on the fabric rather than the face of his studious brother.
Branson rubbed his beard and eyed James. “Hardly destitute, and as I recall you left me several tabs around London for the pain of my trying to instil some reason into your head.” Branson heaved a sigh, his broad shoulders lifting and pointing out to James yet again how much slighter he was than his brother.
“Reason? I went off to war while you stayed behind and managed the property, Brother. I come home and I only wish to blow off some steam when suddenly I am abandoned.” James folded his arms and narrowed his eyes at Branson. “How exactly is it that suddenly I am good enough to grace these halls again?”
Branson puffed out air and leaned back in his chair. “Your love of the cards left me little choice, James.” Branson closed his eyes and James wondered if he was trying to will himself calm. James found that rarely worked with himself, so he pondered how his brother suddenly did appear calmer. “All that being said, if you are truly interested in reforming and finding yourself a good wife then as your big brother it is my duty to help you in that pursuit.”
“So, I won’t be a burden on you anymore,” James said helpfully which earned a glare from Branson.
Branson waved off James’ words. “It is the least I can do for our parents. They only wish for you to be happy, and so do I, James. Now, shall you return home or will you stubbornly continue your exile?”
“I would be a fool to turn away such an offer. It is rather hard to court proper young ladies when I have no home to invite them to for dinners.” James had given this a good deal of thought. He had even considered throwing himself on Branson’s mercy, but here luck had provided for him yet again.
Branson smiled. “I am glad that you will accept my help. I do not like it when we must be fighting. Little Brother, welcome home.” Branson shoved his strong arm across the desk.
James was left with little choice but to stand and grasp Branson’s hand. “I shall go straight to the inn and make arrangements for my things to be brought here.” One last chance for his brother to back out, but Branson did not even hesitate with his nod of acceptance. So, the old man really was going to let him move back in, even if it seemed a temporary arrangement.
“I shall send word for you to be given use of a carriage to transport your belongings and to take you about the city,” Branson said as he rang for a servant.
James nodded but did not wait for his brother to converse with the servant before he left with a bow to his older brother. He had much to do. He checked his rooms and found them untouched, which was a kindness given the anger his brother had presented toward James during his initial banishment.
James wanted to call upon that lovely Miss Browne he had made the acquaintance of, and now that he knew where he could hold a dinner he might even have somewhere to invite her. James smiled as he left the family estate. The carriage Branson had given him the use of was swiftly pulled around.
He gave directions to Mrs. Lennox’s London home. It was not far, and James had been there at least once before. He sat back in his seat and smiled to himself. He was rather pleased with this turn of events. James had almost thought his luck had finally fled, but now he knew otherwise.
*
Amanda fumed after her brother left. She had fumed all afternoon, but it did nothing to change anything. Finally, she gave up and went for a walk in the gardens.
“Katrina,” Amanda said as she looked around at her maid, who was walking several feet behind her. “When I asked you to walk with me, I did not mean for you to trail along behind me. How can I talk to you back there?”
Katrina flushed with colour. “Begging your pardon, Miss. I did not think it proper for me to walk beside you.”
“I do not care about proper,” Amanda snapped back. “Charlotte would have walked beside me.” She spun around on her heel and seethed. The maid hurried up beside her.
Katrina pleaded, “I am so sorry, Miss. I shall try to think more like Charlotte. I just, well, I am me. I was raised not to act above my station.”
“And that’s a good thing,” Amanda said with a sigh. “I just really need a friend more than a maid at the moment.”
Katrina grimaced. “Do you wish that Charlotte had stayed?”
“Yes, of course, I do.” Amanda looked at the maid as if she should have known the answer. Really, it was no wonder the girl was just a maid. Katrina’s face crumpled a little, and Amanda had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. “I appreciate you, Katrina, I just wish that you would think more as my friend than as my lady’s maid. I should have a warm relationship with you.”
“You do,” Katrina assured her. “I adore you.”
Amanda wagered that was probably true. What was not to love after all? The notion of love brought to mind the season. “What do you think of Lord Stanhope?”
“That’s the young gentleman who came to visit you after the fancy-dress ball?” Katrina waited until Amanda nodded before she continued. “He is quite handsome. I think the question is, what doyouthink of him?”
Amanda tapped her chin. “Well, as you said, he is quite nice to look upon. He also has this devil may cry sort of way about him that I truly admire. I wonder if perhaps he just needs the right young lady to help steer him towards a more stable future.”
“Do you think you might like to be that young lady?” Katrina’s face held a mischievous grin that Amanda completely approved of. Perhaps the maid had potential after all.
