Page 32 of Avenging the Earl's Lady
A few minutes later, Bakeley joined him, the footman slipping in behind him to pour coffee.
His heir was, as usual, perfectly groomed and attired, looking fresher than he had since Shaldon’s return from Yorkshire.
“A late morning,” Shaldon said.
“I slept.”
The King had tapped him for ceremonial duties, and he and Sirena had organized a grand wedding and breakfast for Lady Perry and Fox.He’d done well, this second son of his.He would make a better Lord Shaldon than he himself had done.
“What are you about today?”Shaldon asked.“Spending time with your lady?”
“I’m off to look at a horse.”
“Is Lady Sirena going with you?”Bakeley’s wife was the daughter of an Irish earl, the family impoverished by horse-breeding and her father’s penchant for drink.She was as passionate as her husband about horses.
“No, though I did invite her.She informed me she was spending the morning at Lady Hackwell’s with Paulette and also Barton, who’s bringing over her latest sketches.”
A buzzing started in his ears.Lady Sirena would not turn down a chance to look at a horse, except for something of importance, which would not include sketches of gowns.And his eldest son’s wife, Paulette, was not known as a leader of theton’sfashion scene, nor was Lady Hackwell.Both ladies, however, were close to the missing maid, Jenny.Barton had been Lady Jane’s maid before going into business with Madame La Fanelle.And Sirena had lived with Jane as a companion before marrying Bakeley and taking Jenny as her own maid for a time.
“How is Barton finding the time?”he asked.“I’ve been watching the shop.It’s full of patrons, with porters running willy-nilly delivering packages.Your millinery business has done well.”
Bakeley laughed.“If only all my investments were so profitable.Speaking of that, Father, have you decided about a post for Penderbrook yet?”
Quentin Penderbrook, his son Charles’s friend, was in dire need of an income.
“I’m asking,” Bakeley said, “because my steward in Kent is wanting to retire.I considered letting Penderbrook have a trial.”
“In spite of his gambling debts?”
Bakeley paused in cutting a large piece of ham.“Charley said it and he’s right—there’s something off about those debts.That Payne-Elsdon fellow has bought up all of Penderbrook’s vowels.”
Payne-Eldon had been a major in the King’s army, serving in Spain.His reputation was sordid even without his association with the Duque de San Sebastian.
“I know we promised Charley we’d look into a position for Penderbrook,” Bakeley said, “But if he’s swimming in the Duque’s murky waters, he may need more than money.”
Shaldon rose and passed the newspapers to Bakeley.“The one on the top has a most interesting advertisement for a painting.Don’t toss it out.”
He sent the footman to order his carriage while he went for his hat.
