"And what, precisely, had the great Caesar to do with the matter?"
"Oh, not the great Caesar, Ned, just this one" Perry grinned engagingly as the huge dog raised himself up from the floor and laid his massive head on the bed, his doleful eyes examining its occupant.
The earl returned the stare, a slight twitching of his lips threatening to betray his amusement, but he fought to keep the severity of his tone as he turned his regard to his brother. "You will no doubt appraise me, in your own good time of course, why this animal should be the cause of your suspension and how it came to be in your possession."
"Don't look so cross, Ned," said a penitent Peregrine. "They were going to use him for baiting, and I'm sure you can understand my need to rescue him."
"Undoubtedly. And how much did this `rescue' cost you?"
"Ten guineas, sir."
"I didn't think you would own ten guineas this late into the term"
"I had only half that amount, but I borrowed the rest from Freddie. Freddie's a great pal, a real regular gun"
"So now I am obliged to bail you out to the tune of five guineas, am I?"
"If you would be so kind, I would be enormously grateful, Ned. I must tell you, though, that everything would've been fine if it hadn't been for that damned cat...
"Ah, now a cat comes into the narrative," replied the earl, as if enlightened.
"Well, I'm sure you will understand that even though it was the House Master's cat, Caesar felt obliged to give chase. No self-respecting dog would've been able to ignore such a challenge."
"May I ask why this perfectly understandable chase should have such dire results?"
"It was through the dining hall while we were at supper."
"Ah, that certainly does explain it," said the earl with a half smile, which he immediately attempted to hide. But it was too late. Peregrine, ever watchful of his brother's face, had seen its birth.
"Knew you would appreciate it, Ned." He grinned, his boyish countenance flushed. "Lord, if you could've seen the upset he caused. There was rice pudding for supper...
The earl laughed openly. "Then we must ensure not to consume the likes in his presence"
"Then he can stay?"
"After causing so much trouble, I suppose he must, if only to bear witness to your stupidity."
"You are the best brother a chap could have, Ned. Knew you could be relied on to understand."
"You will think me less than good when I tell you that your studies are to be continued despite your rustication. You will read the classics to me to improve your Latin."
Perry hung his head. "There's just one more thing I need explain, Ned. Freddie Lynton is with me."
"Don't tell me they rusticated him too?"
"Devil a bit, though I did warn him not to champion me. Now he daren't go home. Says there would be hell to pay. His brother is not as understanding of a chap's difficulties as you are. You will let him stay, won't you, Ned? It is, after all, my fault."
"I'm not so sure of the prudence of his staying here," replied the earl soberly. "I must tell you that my betrothal to his sister is at an end, and his family might not like that he should remain here. He may only be allowed to stay on the understanding that he notifies Lady Jennifer of his whereabouts. I will not have it thought that he's absconded while searches are made for him, and he must return home in time for the holidays."
Throughout the discourse Caesar had been watching all with an extremely intelligent eye and thought it about time the earl be repaid for his kindness. To this end, he reared himself up and, placing his front paws on the coverlet, attempted to lever himself up onto the bed.
"Down, sir," commanded the earl. "You may have won your case to remain in my house, but you will not inhabit my bed. Away with you." Turning a stern countenance toward his brother, he ordered, "If it's your intention to keep the brute, Perry, I suggest you take him to the stables and give him a bath. I will not tolerate the odor of the kennels in my bedchamber."
Undaunted, Peregrine gave a wide grin. "I'm so glad you're home, Ned. Don't know what we would've done without you"
"You will be less than grateful for my return if you don't get that animal out of my room" Suddenly exhaustion overcame him. The day had taken its toll, and he lay back upon his pillows, his countenance paler than ever.
Perry started forward, alarmed at the sudden change. "I say, Ned, you all right? Can I get you anything?"
"Nothing. Nothing. I'm fine. I need to rest, that's all. Now go. I shall do well enough"
With lagging steps, Perry made his way out of the room, finding it necessary to keep checking over his shoulder that his brother was indeed only tired. As he reached the door, he took one final look before entering the corridor and, calling quietly to Caesar, headed toward the stairs to join his friend in the kitchen to sample Rose's cooking.
As December neared its conclusion, Lady Flora Carlton, a small, vivacious brunet dressed in the height of fashion, arrived at Fly around midday to be informed that her brothers had taken a walk to the stables.
"That is no problem," she assured Croft. "If you would but arrange for my trunks to be taken to my old room, I will make myself comfortable in the small salon until they return"
"You intend to stay, madam?" inquired a mystified Croft.
"I do indeed. I will not have it said that I neglect my brother when he has so much need of me. I've told Carlton not to look for my return. I will nurse my dear Edward."
"The master needs no nursemaid, Miss Flora," Croft retorted with a familiarity born of long association. "He does very well. Indeed, he's much improved."
Lady Flora looked contemptuously at the retainer. "When I want your opinion, Croft, I will ask for it. Until then, you may rely upon me to know what's best for my dear brother. I alone shall tend him."
"You mark my words, he'll have none of your `tending.' He's no need for petticoats," Croft, muttered, sotto voce, as he went out to the steps to supervise the lady's luggage.
Lady Flora looked fondly around the small salon as she sat sipping her tea. She loved the antiquity of this old house. Although, upon the event of her marriage, she'd been conveyed to Ravensby Hall, at times she still longed for the familiarity of her former home. She had been in Lancashire when news eventually reached her of Edward's return to England, and she begged her husband to conclude his business as quickly as possible so that she could leave for Fly Hall. Seeing the retraction in the Gazette made her even more determined to hurry to the earl's side, not wishing him to be alone in what she perceived as his hour of disappointment. Upon her return from Lancashire, she but waited to supervise the Christmas Day festivities at Ravensby before hastening to Fly.
She heard voices in the hall and, putting aside her cup, rose to her feet in anticipation of her brothers' arrival. As Sinclair entered the room, the sight of him affected her deeply, and she ran forward to cast herself, sobbing, onto his breast.
Standing uncertainly in the doorway, Perry looked decidedly uneasy at Flora's show of sisterly concern. Relieved that he was not the recipient of such feminine emotion, he silently sympathized with his brother.
"My dear Flora, there's no need for tears. None at all," said the earl, laughing and attempting to hold her away from him. "As you see, I do very well."
"Your poor arm," she said, fluttering her hand over the empty sleeve, and she was again shaken by a fresh bout of weeping.
"I've told you, I do very well, Flora," stated Sinclair, finally disengaging himself from her clasp. "There is absolutely no need for you to be so distressed on my account" He patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Does Carlton accompany you?" he asked, looking around the room.
Eyes awash with tears, Flora sniffed inelegantly. "I've left him at home; I come to nurse you, to be with you in your time of need"
"'Nurse' me? I can assure you, my dear, I am in no need of a nurse. Behold, do I seem a man who needs coddling?"
"Wretch!" she cried, stamping her foot. "When I heard of your inj
uries, I was beside myself. I couldn't bear the thought of your wounds. Now you mock my regard"
"I say, steady on, Flora," cried Perry, stepping forward. "Hasn't Ned enough to contend with without you flying off into one of your starts?"
"Enough! Enough!" cried the earl, raising his hand. "I am gratified by this excessive concern on my behalf, but I assure you, there is no need. Indeed, I am exceedingly pleased to see you, Flora, and should you wish to stay for a little while, I would be more than grateful for your company. However, now that I am returned home, I improve daily and have little use for a nurse. Now come and tell me, how fares Carlton?"
Much mollified by his change of address, Flora took hold of his hand and led him to the chaise, ever eager to chatter on a subject so close to her heart.
Finding himself ignored, Perry decided to make good his escape, quietly calling Caesar to his side and muttering, "Never could understand females. Well, not that one!"
Once the subject of her husband had been exhausted, Flora took the opportunity to raise the subject of the betrothal.
"I had not thought Jenny so cruel as to reject you at such a time," she said reprovingly. "Not at all what I would have expected from her."
"You must not lay the blame at Jenny's door," replied the earl quietly.
Flora came upright in her seat, casting her brother a look of incredulity. "What? I cannot believe it was you who ended the engagement"
"It ended by mutual agreement. We had grown apart"
"Then I can see it was your fault," she said with scorn. "You should have made more of an effort to attach her. You cannot expect to leave a young girl waiting on your return from war without some attempt on your behalf to maintain her interest. You are my brother, and I love you dearly, but I'm only too aware of your defects. You have no romantic turn of mind whatsoever. I have seen many of society's beauties setting their caps at you, and you took none seriously. You made no endeavor to set up a relationship. I lose all patience with you!"
"Read me no lectures, Flora," he said wearily. "I've no mind to be considering the state of matrimony. Besides, who would have me?"
"I would have expected that Jenny would. At least, she gave me no reason to suspect otherwise."
He rose impatiently. "Then I would not wish myself upon her. I've more sense than that. Now if you will excuse me, I will go to my chamber to change for supper. Might I suggest you do the same?"
Lady Flora's visit became a protracted one. So long was she away that her husband found it necessary to come in search of her.
"'Tis most unkind of you to expect me to desert my dear Edward," she complained, turning a pouting countenance toward her long-suffering spouse as they sat on the chaise in the morning room. "I've been out of your sight for no more than three weeks, and you find it necessary to seek me out. I am mortified."
"Come, Flora, you would've been even more mortified had I left you to your own devices," cajoled Lord Carlton, a floridly handsome man of middle years who doted unashamedly on his young, effervescent wife. "Admit it-you would rather I missed you than have no care of your whereabouts"
"You are quite right, my love," she agreed penitently. "I would so much rather you sought my company, and I have indeed missed you"
With an indulgent chuckle, he raised her hand to his lips. "You know exactly how to manipulate me. I came here full of righteous indignation at your desertion, and still you find a way of turning it to your advantage"
"I'm so pleased you came," she said, bending forward to place a kiss on his cheek, but as he would have drawn her into his arms, she braced her hands against his chest. "You must see that I need to be with Edward. I could not rest if I were not"
"I am sure Edward is quite able to care for himself. It is I who have need of you"
She appeared much pleased by this answer and allowed her husband to catch her to his breast, but when they drew apart, she was still reluctant to relinquish her cause.
"Though he will not admit it, I fear Edward is much downcast. Physically, he improves daily, but I fear his spirits do not revive as one would expect. I've a mind to invite him to accompany us to London at the beginning of the season in the hope it might prove a diversion."
"Do you think it would serve?" asked Carlton. "He's been through much, and to expect him to rally too soon could have an adverse effect. Perhaps he would be better waiting until the season is well under way, and his arrival would draw less attention."
"Perhaps you are right," agreed Flora after a moment's thought. "He was ever a favorite among the hostesses, so one need not fear that he would be overlooked."
A clock chiming on the mantel brought her to sudden recollection. "It's five, and they will be returning for tea. We can put it to him then." Almost as an afterthought she added, "You will stay and bear us company, won't you, my love? Perry returns to Oxford, and I would not leave dear Edward alone just yet. Oh, and I must tell you, Perry has acquired the most amusing dog. A real clown, very friendly but quite uncontrollable. Although I cannot help but hope he takes it back with him. I would not have it that he leaves it here"
At that moment the aforesaid animal found it necessary to burst its way into the room and deposit its length before the hearth, its master following in its wake along with his brother.
Smiling, the earl came forward, his hand extended in welcome. "My dear Carlton, 'tis exceedingly good to see you."
Carlton returned his brother-in-law's firm grip and grinned in return. "You may be less than pleased when you know that I've been commanded to stay," he said. "I trust it finds favor with you, or do you feel you are being invaded? If you do, I swear I will go"
"Not a bit of it," replied the earl. "Though I must tell you that, contrary to my esteemed sister's belief, I don't need to be constantly attended by members of my family. I do very well. Perhaps you can help me to persuade her that I am quite able to continue as normal."
"A chap should be allowed his independence," agreed Carlton. "But perhaps, if you have no objections, we should stay for a few days more, if only to make our minds easy on the score"
The maid entered with the tea tray, and when she withdrew, they all settled themselves comfortably by the fire while Flora attended to the filling of the cups.
"If you've a mind to stay, perhaps you would like to cast your eye over some of the young stock in the stables," said the earl. "There's a particular piece of blood I wouldn't mind bringing on. Excellent conformation and showing some spirit .. "
"Edward! You are not to be thinking of horses," remonstrated Flora. "In your state of health ..
Sinclair cast her a scornful glance. "My dear sister, are you proposing that I walk for the rest of my life? It's only my arm that's missing, nothing else, and with a little modification to the aids, I shall manage very well, thank you. You must become reconciled to the fact that I intend to recommence my life as normal. I am no puling invalid who needs to be forever fussed over."
Flora bridled, her displeasure showing in every line. "Obviously! Then perhaps you would prefer it if Carlton and I return home, and then you can do whatever you please without having us worry over you"
"That's hardly called for," interpolated Perry, hastening to his brother's defense. "You know as well as I, that isn't what Ned meant. You smother him, Flora. You must allow him some freedom"
"Peace! Peace!" cried the earl, raising his hand to silence his siblings. "I am extremely grateful for your concerns on my behalf and promise not to attempt anything that might jeopardize my recovery. Will that suffice? Do I now find favor with you?"
"You always do," said a penitent Flora. "Indeed, 'tis only our affection for you that prompts our concern."
"Then, my dear sister, you will find me ever mindful of your wishes"
"Faradiddle!" was her unconvinced reply as she confined her attentions to refilling her cup.
London in season was a veritable hive of entertainment, and Lady Jennifer Lynton cast herself into the midst of the gaiety with enthusiasm, no am
usement seeming beneath her notice. Indeed, she appeared tireless, and it was the common consensus that she had recovered admirably from what was termed her "disappointment" She had a refreshing naivete about her that appealed to both hostesses and guests alike, ensuring she spent very few nights at home, this being the first season she had experienced without the restraints of a betrothal.
However, entertaining her would-be sister-in-law one fine afternoon, she found it difficult to keep her equanimity on the subject of engagements. Miss Amelia Cheviot was a young lady with such a directness of manner and soberness of demeanor that Jennifer often wondered at her brother's desire to take her to wife. However, while she bore no great liking for her, she attempted to tolerate her company as best she might. To that end, she offered to accompany her on an expedition to choose the material for her new ball gown, and upon their return they repaired to the small salon for refreshments.
Miss Cheviot eyed her companion from beneath lowered lashes as they sat taking tea. "My dear Jenny," she said, "I could scarcely believe my ears when dearest Arthur told me that you refused to reconsider your rejection of Sinclair."
"I have no desire whatsoever to be married," said Jennifer in a tone she hoped would bring about a speedy end to the unwelcome turn in conversation.
However, Miss Cheviot had no intention of relinquishing her cause so easily. "I'm sure that can't be true. Why, surely 'tis every girl's dream to be married, and to such a personable gentleman too. It's rumored that his income alone is ..
Jennifer could not believe her companion's temerity in pursuing the topic. "I care not what his income may be. If I marry, it will certainly not be for consideration of my husband's wealth. I have sufficient of my own to render such mercenary thoughts unnecessary."
"Then if it's for the loss of his arm ..
"It most certainly is not the loss of his arm, and I find it less than charitable of you to mention it. Why, the loss of his arm can in no way detract from his person. Indeed, I had not even given it a thought"
"Then there's no reason on this earth you should not reconsider the betrothal," said Miss Cheviot with obvious satisfaction.
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