Page 95 of Hearts of Briarwall

Mr. Janes leaned forward as well. “A portion of my family are also suffragettes.” The man smiled.

Spencer smiled back. “Very well, sir. You’ve been warned.”

“As have you.”

Spencer chuckled. He liked this man very much.

“Now, my Florrie tells me you’ve gotten yourself into a bit of a scrape with our Lydia. Or rather, our Andrew.”

Spencer’s ears burned. “Yes, sir. Both, sir.”

“To put it bluntly, there is a severe lack of father figures in this scenario. So. Let’s put our brains together and see what we come up with to remedy the situation, hmm?”

Spencer stilled as he realized how much he wanted that guidance. How much he had missed it. He cleared his throat. “I’d appreciate that, sir. More than you know.”

“And, son?”

Spencer’s gaze darted to the man, the endearment unexpected and piercing. “Yes?”

“Your father went about life his way, but he’d be proud of the way you’ll go about yours.”

Spencer swallowed hard. “I’ll do my best, sir.”

“Of that I have no doubt.”

A knock at the study door preceded it opening. “Mr. Andrew Wooding is here, sir.”

Spencer stood abruptly.

“At ease, Hayes. Show him in, Stafford.”

Before Spencer could say a word, Andrew strode in, then slammed to a halt. He looked between Janes and Spencer and scowled. “What is this?”

Mr. Janes stood. “An intervention. Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me.” Spencer watched as he calmly crossed the room. He paused at the door and looked back at them both. “Don’t break my study.” He slipped through the door and was gone with a click.

For a moment, Spencer and Andrew looked everywhere but at each other.

Don’t ever let ’em see you weak.

Spencer drew his hands behind his back. “I spoke to Piedmont.”

Andrew’s sharp gaze met his, his jaw stone. “Did you?”

“He admitted he’s the source of Lydia’s so-called reputation. The same reputation you threw in her face the other day. He used it to keep other suitors away.”

“Why should I believe you?”

Spencer huffed. “You’re her brother. You should be the first to believe me.”

Andrew had the decency to look chagrined.

Spencer picked up a round, jade paperweight from the desk and inspected it. “He’s also been courting an American heiress, likely for some time.”

“What? How—”

Spencer shrugged, returning the paperweight to its place. “I met her. They were strolling in the park together. He was reluctant at first, but then seemed to warm up to the idea of using it to show off his ingenuity. Said he’d needed to keep his options open and expressedpitynow that Lydia would certainly be on the shelf.”

Andrew’s eyes darkened with anger as he scrutinized him. “That sounds like him.” He walked to the window and looked out over the formal garden. “What was I thinking?” he muttered.

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