Page 19 of Sleepless in Saunton
Regardless of his reasoning, he and his daughter were recovering from a great loss, and it was not Jane’s place to assert herself into their lives. Only Barclay could know what was best for his little family in the wake of his wife’s death.
Jane turned to wash up and get dressed. She had assured the countess that she could manage without a lady’s maid until they hired a new one. Their last one had left with Emma, but Jane was accustomed to preparing herself, despite enjoying the luxury of assistance, and Sophia’s abigail was occupied with other tasks with so many guests in residence.
Later that afternoon, Jane arrived for her match with Ethan in the library. Richard was there, showing his son a strategy with a reference book at hand. Ethan’s face lit up when Jane arrived. “Jane! I just finished playing with Papa. Are you here to play?”
“Of course. You asked me to come at this time.”
The earl rose. “I am happy you are here. I am to meet the duke and Barclay in my study, but I thought I would have to find Daisy to take care of Ethan.”
“That is unnecessary. I can return him to the nursery when we are done playing.”
Richard smiled in gratitude, heading for the door. “You are an excellent houseguest, Jane.”
A maid arrived with her tray of coffee, leaving it on the side table as Jane took a seat across from Ethan. Soon they were absorbed by their game, so that Jane barely noticed when Mr. Dunsford entered the room.
“Miss Davis! I am so glad to find you. I was hoping we could take a walk on the front lawn? Lady Saunton and Her Grace are seated on the terrace, so several couples are taking a turn around the garden under their watchful eyes.”
Jane smiled politely. “Certainly, Mr. Dunsford. I will join you once I finish this match with Ethan.”
The young man glanced at her cousin as if noticing him for the first time. Ethan shot him a glance of irritation, dissatisfied at the interruption to their game, before turning back to contemplate the pieces on the board.
“I shall wait for you.” With that, the lanky gentleman sat on a chair. “Oh my! The servants here are so attentive. They must have placed this coffeepot here for the guests. I wonder how frequently they replace it?”
He picked up the tall, tapered coffeepot and poured it into the single cup provided. Ethan swung his head to scowl at the man in outrage. “Hey! Thatcough-eeis for J—”
Jane shot out a hand to caution Ethan. Her little cousin stopped, shooting her a look of inquiry. She shook her head, which he understood. He closed his mouth abruptly, but his expression was irritated as he resumed play. Opportunely, Emma had taught the boy how to hold his tongue in public, but Jane would be required to explain it to him once they were alone again.
Fortunately, Mr. Dunsford barely noticed the boy had exclaimed at him, too engaged in drinking the coffee he had poured.
When Jane had tried coffee for the first time weeks ago, Perry had warned her it would be frowned upon socially because it was considered a drink for men alone. She had not been concerned about revealing the habit in Barclay’s presence. Not only were they relations, but intuitively Jane knew that no one in the Thompson family would disdain a woman for something so frivolous.
Mr. Dunsford was a prospective suitor, and she was yet uncertain of his character. She had no desire to reveal something so intimate to the gentleman until she knew him better. Jane had hopes that the charming young man might become a match, a matter which had become more pressing now that Emma had left her on her own. Jane did not wish to spoil their potential relationship early on with something so trivial.
* * *
When Barclay enteredthe earl’s study at the designated time, he was surprised to find both the duke and the earl with cups of tea in their hands. The dainty china cup looked especially fragile in the duke’s large, bronzed hand.
Barclay rubbed his cheek in perplexment. “When you said I should join you for a drink in the study, I did not understand that to mean tea?”
“Barclay, there you are. Please help yourself.” The earl gestured to the sideboard where a tray of decanters stood. “Halmesbury does not like spirits, and I suppose I might reveal to my own brother that Sophia’s father drank himself into an early grave. She asked me to not partake in liquor, and I find my mind is much clearer since I switched to tea.”
Barclay lifted a hand to stroke his beard while he thought, looking between the sideboard and the tray. “I suppose a cup of tea would be a pleasure. I have always had a preference for it.”
He took his seat, leaning forward to pour a cup before settling back.
“Thank you for joining us, Barclay. Halmesbury and I were …” His brother stopped, fidgeting with his cravat. Barclay frowned with suspicion. He had noted that his brother would toy with his cravat when he was anxious.
The duke set down his cup and leaned forward. “My cousin and I are thinking about the future. Ethan’s future. I know it is impudent to ask, but … how has it been for you?”
Barclay exhaled, his worry eased. His brother merely sought insight on a delicate matter. “To be a bastard, you mean?”
The duke blinked, his gray eyes clouding. “Please be assured I have never used that word … not in that context.”
Contemplating His Grace, Barclay toyed with the cuff of his sleeve. The duke was widely regarded for his philanthropic works and had been polite and welcoming since they had met the first day of the house party. He believed the venerated nobleman differed from many of the peerage that Barclay had dealt with. Even his brother continued to surprise him, taking care to include the Thompsons as valued family members and contrite for his—their—sire’s actions. This conversation was decidedly uncomfortable, yet they did not broach the topic out of vindictive intent.
“I understand. You wish to anticipate the troubles that the child might face in the future. To predict and take measures to prepare the boy for the challenges he will face.”
The duke’s face relaxed. “I understand it is an imposition, but you are uniquely experienced to deliver insight. You are a lauded professional in your field despite your mother’s unwed status, so we felt that your situation would have some parity to Ethan’s as the acknowledged son of a peer, yet with similar parental circumstances.”
