Page 108 of Wicked Designs
“What time are we to leave?” Jonathan asked.
“By noon, we hope. Emily needs as much rest as we can manage to give her. The carriage ride will be unpleasant enough, as ill as she’s been.”
“Well, I suppose the rest of us should be packed and ready.” Ashton rose from his chair with the soft but firm suggestion in his tone that the others follow suit.
They left Godric and Jonathan alone. This was whyhe loved his friends. They followed his judgment and accepted Jonathan. They had always treated him nicely before—a man’s valet was sacred, after all—but now he was one of them.
“Have you had enough to eat?” Godric asked after a few minutes. Jonathan flicked a glance to his empty plate and nodded. “Good. Join me in my study?”
Godric’s study was still a bit untidy after his self-imposed exile. But Simkins had removed the trays of untouched food and the broken glass, and put back all the books Godric had ripped from the shelves in his rage. Godric sat down and motioned for Jonathan to do the same. Jonathan eased back into one of the chairs facing Godric’s desk.
“There are some matters to settle between us.” Godric leaned forward a few inches. “I want you to move your things out of your current quarters once this business with Emily is settled.”
Jonathan’s eyes dropped to the floor. “I understand, Your Grace. I lost my temper with you, and I put Miss Parr in danger. I should like to make my apologies with the young lady before I go, however.”
It struck Godric how blinded he’d been, never suspecting for a moment they shared a father. It made him wonder what else he’d missed by simply not looking.
“Jonathan, I’m not forcing you to leave the manor. I only meant for you to choose a room on the upper floor, a room more suitable to your new status in this household.”
“My new status?”
“Yes. We’re brothers, by blood and by law. If youthink I’ll toss you to the wayside, you’re mistaken. Unless of course you wish to leave. I wouldn’t insist that you stay. But I’d like it if you would.”
Jonathan’s face flushed. “You really would not mind my staying on here, Your Grace?”
“I’ve always despised being an only child. We are brothers, and that is all that matters to me. Even in my anger I doubt I could have killed you once Simkins told me. I might have throttled you a bit.”
“Your Grace.” Jonathan cast his eyes down again. “I don’t mean to make things more uncomfortable between us, Your…Godric. But how do we go on from here? I’ve been your valet for nearly six years and a servant since I was born. What happens now?”
“Enjoy yourself. You’ve studied nearly as much as I have. You know the proper manners, it’s merely time to employ them. All you must do is raise your head, not look down at the floor and wear different clothes, and learn how to dance, of course. I’m considering settling one of Father’s unentailed estates upon you. I’ll put it in trust. It will be an easy competence. Whenever you are ready to settle down and marry I will turn it over to you.”
Jonathan blinked, eyes round as saucers. “My own estate?”
“As the second son it would be your due. I daresay you’ve worked hard enough for it.”
Jonathan’s eyes began to glisten, which made Godric uncomfortable.
“Damn it, Jon, smile for heaven’s sake. No need toturn into a watering pot,” he said, hoping to raise his brother’s spirits.
Jonathan scraped the heel of his hand over his eyes, blinked rapidly and nodded.
“When I was a child I used to envy you, Godric. But Simkins told me what life was like for you. I was kept safe in my mother’s care, but Simkins never let me forget what you endured. I thought he did it to prevent jealousy.”
Godric’s eyes darkened as they fixed on a spot on the wall. He could still hear his father say,“I need a reason to beat a servant, but not to beat my own son.”There was only one bastard in their family, and it certainly wasn’t Jonathan.
“I suppose what I’m trying to say is, I wish I could have shared the sting. I hate knowing you suffered that alone.”
Godric leaned back into his chair and started to smile, really smile.
“Would you have any interest in joining me and the other lords once a month at our club, Berkley’s, in London?”
“They wouldn’t mind the intrusion?” Jonathan had been there many times as his valet, but not a member.
“They’ve always liked you, and blood is blood. I want you to join our League. What do you say?”
“Absolutely.”
Emily clungto Godric’s side, nervous as they entered Cedric’s townhouse. His sisters, Miss Sheridan and Miss Audrey, were inside. It was strange, but she wanted to make a good impression.
