“And... did he?”
Angelica displayed a brilliant smile. “He did. Or she did. I’m not really sure which, but it doesn’t really matter. I’m quite sure he’s already proposed marriage.”
Her countenance took on a glow of happiness that had Ben blinking again. He struggled to think of what to say, because if he didn’t, he was quite sure he was going to join Hexham in the act of showing. “At his age? He seems... rather young to be taking a wife.”
Angelica allowed a shrug. “I thought so, too, but he doesn’t wish to wait as long as father did,” she replied. “And I think he’s afraid someone else will gain Lady Anne’s hand if he doesn’t marry her soon, much like what happened with Mother.” When she noted Ben’s expression of curiosity, she added, “My father knew he wanted to marry my mother when she was a child, but... he didn’t tell her.”
“And she ended up married to someone else,” Ben guessed.
Angelica nodded. “Samuel Worthington. He had made his fortune in steamships, and was apparently a very amiable man. But when he died, Father knew he had to court Mother or lose her for good.”
“I suppose she had a number of suitors,” Ben commented. The widow of a wealthy cit would have been popular for any man in need of blunt.
“She did, but my father prevailed. Thank the gods.”
Ben remained silent for a time, his thoughts going back to Hexham and the girl he apparently intended to wed. “How many years has Lady Anne been out in Society?”
Angelica shook her head. “None. She’s not to make her come-out until this Season,” she explained, grinning when she saw his reaction. “I know it seems positively mad, but she will make a wonderful wife for him, and I will finally have a sister.” She paused and added, “I’m quite sure she’ll be at the dinner party. Did you... receive the invitation for my brother’s dinner party?”
“I did, indeed,” Ben replied. “I have already penned a response and had my butler see to its delivery,” he added, realizing the notes he had written had probably been given to her brother to read before they would make their way into her hands.
“I am so glad to hear it. You may already know some of our other guests, but if you do not, it will be an opportunity to meet new friends.”
“My thoughts, too,” he agreed. “Being fairly new to London, my only opportunity to make acquaintances has been at the meetings of the Royal Society.”
“You’re a Fellow, no doubt,” Angelica commented, her attention having gone to a large, black bird that sat on the bare branch of a nearby tree. She had a thought that it was the same bird that had frightened her earlier that afternoon.
Ben dipped his head. “I am not. And apparently not in the near future, either. I received the latest correspondence from the Society only this morning. It contained the list of nominees we’ll be voting on this spring.”
“And your name was not included?” Angelica asked.
He shook his head. “Perhaps next year, after I’ve discovered a new planet or another moon of Jupiter,” he commented. “Although I think I shall concentrate my work on asteroids.”
“Asteroids?” Angelica furrowed a brow. “Are they what we call shooting stars?”
Ben shook his head. “Possibly the smallest ones that have fallen from their orbits,” he replied. “Asteroids are generally found on a path between that of Mars and Jupiter. Chunks of... rock perhaps, that are simply very small planets. It’s possible they were at one time an entire planet that broke apart.”
“How interesting,” she murmured, noticing how the clouds above had darkened with the impending nightfall. Their breaths hung in white clouds in front of their faces. “I should be going in,” she said. “I’ve kept you out here in the cold—”
“Nonsense. I’m quite used to it,” he replied. “I’ve spent many a cold night in an observatory in Cambridge, and I expect I shall spend many more here.” Ben felt her arm shiver atop his, and he chastised himself. “I apologize that I’m unable to invite you into my home,” he murmured. “Seeing as how there is no... lady of the house... or chaperone.”
“Oh, it’s quite all right. I need to be going in,” she replied. It’s time I dress for dinner.”
Ben lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Angelica curtsied. “Perhaps,” she replied with a grin.
She hurried to the front door of Worthington House, rather enjoying the look of confusion on Winslow’s face.
He hadn’t seen her take her leave of the house by way of the back door the hour before.
Chapter 27
Preparations for a Party
The following day
George regarded the silver salver on the round table in the great hall of Worthington House, stunned at the pile of white notes that littered it. A quick glance showed his sister’s name on every one of them.
“Your correspondence is in your study, my lord,” Winston said as he placed a vase of hot-house flowers in the center of the table. “And a footman from next door left a note for your attention.”
“Starting her decorating a bit early, is she not?” George half-asked, noting the flowers were far more ornate than what his mother favored for everyday. Most of the blooms in this arrangement were red and white.
“If you are referring to Lady Angelica, she is efficient.”
Efficient and confusing, George thought. He had half-expected his sister to take her dinner in the parlor after what had happened in the study the day before. Instead, she had shown up in the dining room only a moment after Winslow rang the bell, all smiles, as if she had completely forgotten his cutting comment about courtship.
“I take it she has already met with the housekeeper and the cook?” he asked, his gaze once again going to the pile of notes on the silver salver. He should probably read them all before she did—his father would have—but he didn’t wish to intrude on her privacy. Remembering how he had felt upon learning she had spied on him only reinforced his decision.
“Indeed. And the gardener, too,” Winslow replied.
George frowned, his gaze going to the front of the house. Although he couldn’t see outside unless he looked through the front salon window, he knew there was at least two inches of snow on the ground. “Whatever for?”
The butler’s eyes widened a bit before he gave a shake of his head. “I know not, sir, although I do believe he sees to a greenhouse from which these blooms arrived.”
More flowers? George thought. Well, it couldn’t be greenery. Following tradition, wreaths, garlands and a tree couldn’t be brought into the house until Christmas Eve day. Which had him curious as to her plans.
When Angelica appeared at the top of the stairs, he glanced up and angled his head to one side. “Whatever is going on in that pretty little head of yours?”
George had learned long ago to combine his chiding with a compliment when it came to his sister.
Angelica grinned as she descended the stairs. “Dinner party planning, of course.” When she saw the salver, she hurried over and began checking the seals on the backs of the missives. “It appears as if everyone has responded,” she murmured, her gaze stopping on a seal of a crescent moon and stars. “Including our new neighbor.”
George frowned and moved to join her at the table. “You invited our neighbor? The one with the observatory?”
Angelica nodded. “Of course. He lives alone—”
“But we’ve not been introduced.”
“You haven’t met Sir Benjamin, either, but you wanted me to invite him,” she argued.
“Father wanted Sir Benjamin invited,” he countered. He dipped his head then, deciding their argument would only result in a pouty sibling. “You did send him an invitation?”
“I did,” she assured him. “I wasn’t sure where to send it, though. But apparently the footman knew where to go.” She held out a missive with the initials BBF in a bold font emblazoned in the red wax.
George cocked an eyebrow. “Very good.
I’m off to read my correspondence. Then I have to pay a call on a member of the peerage this afternoon. Official matters. See you at dinner.”
Angelica watched him go before she opened the note from Sir Benjamin. Although she felt only the slightest disappointment at learning he would not be in attendance, she decided it best she not tell her brother.
At least, not yet.
Opening the one from Mr. Fulton, she allowed a huge grin at reading his response. She knew from their conversation the night before that he would be there.
And he looked forward to seeing her again.
She thought of sneaking into his observatory that very night.
If she spied the red light from her bedchamber window, and if her brother was at his club, she decided she would.
Chapter 28
A Meeting of Like-Minded Men
Later that day at Trenton House
“I appreciate you taking the time to see me this afternoon,” George said as he took the seat Gabriel Wellingham offered him. “Especially on such short notice.” Instead of the wooden chair in front of a large polished desk, Trenton had indicated an overstuffed chair near the fireplace.
“I appreciate the excuse to have a glass of brandy and procrastinate,” Trenton replied with a grin, moving to a sideboard where several crystal decanters were lined up. “Would you like one?”
George nodded. “Much obliged.”
“My man of business is in Wolverhampton, so I aways have more correspondence to see to when I am here in London,” the earl explained as he handed a glass to George. “My countess helps, of course, but she has her own letters to write for her business.”
Surprised to hear this bit of news, George said, “Her business?”
Trenton nodded as he took the chair opposite. “The Spread Eagle Inn in Stretton. I bought it many years ago, but she’s the one who knows the particulars of running a coaching inn,” he explained. “It’s where I first met her, in fact. Four-and-twenty years ago.” He took a sip of brandy, a look of contentment settling on his features. “I suppose you’re here about my daughter.”
His eyes darting to one side, George thought the segue rather abrupt. “I am. I wish to marry her, sir, so I’ve come to ask for your permission—”
“You mean, you haven’t already asked her?”
George’s eyes widened. He was sure he and Lady Anne had an agreement that they wouldn’t tell anyone of their betrothal. Before he could answer, though, Trenton allowed a chuckle.
“Forgive me. I’ve had such mixed thoughts on the subject, I have often wondered how I might respond to such a query.”
“Mixed thoughts?” George repeated.
“Until a few nights ago, I wouldn’t have thought to entertain queries such as yours for at least another three or four years,” Trenton said. “But... I admit to having eavesdropped on a conversation that has since convinced me my daughter is ready to do her duty as someone’s wife.” He paused a moment. “I fear if I do not allow her to wed—and soon—she’ll arrange to get herself with child just so she can have a baby of her own.” When he noted George’s look of alarm, he added, “She is desperate to be a mother.”
“She did mention having thoughts of what her children would look like,” George murmured.
“You mean blond-haired, blue-eyed, dimpled cherubs brimming with mischief?” Trenton asked with a huge grin.
George gave a shake of his head. “She didn’t mention the dimples.”
“Probably because she hadn’t yet met you when she mentioned them to me,” the earl said as he sobered. “A rather recent introduction, if I understand correctly?”
Nodding, George said, “We met for the first time in October. In the park. And I haven’t been able to forget her since.”
Trenton placed his glass of brandy on a side table, set his elbows on the arms of his chair, and steepled his fingers. “Dashed inconvenient at your age.”
“Oh, but it’s not,” George argued. “That is to say... I don’t wish to wait to marry. Especially given how long my father delayed his own marriage.” He paused a moment. “And most especially because I fear if I do, Lady Anne will end up married to someone else.”
Trenton’s brows rose at hearing this last comment. “You feel affection for her.” It wasn’t a question.
George nodded, the memory of their kisses in the park fresh in his mind. Their conversation about their children had caused an odd sensation to form in his chest. “I do,” he acknowledged. “I believe she holds me in similar—”
“Oh, she does. There is no doubt of that,” Trenton affirmed. “Since you are expected in Parliament in March, is there a chance you would be amenable to a wedding before then? You’ll want time for a wedding trip, of course.”
A wedding trip?
George hadn’t considered a wedding trip, but then he hadn’t yet secured permission to marry Lady Anne, either. “Of course,” he replied, wondering if two months might be enough time to take his wife to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. “Does Lady Anne speak Italian?”
Trenton’s eyes widened and he allowed a nod. “She does. I take it you do not?”
George shook his head. “My command of Italian is sorely lacking,” he admitted.
“She would be thrilled to go to Italy.”
“Does that mean I can take her? As my wife?” George asked, his breath held in anticipation of hearing Trenton’s response.
A smile displayed the earl’s perfect teeth. “It does,” he replied. “I’ll see to her dowry, of course, and inform my wife.”
Nodding, George said, “I’ll see to a marriage license and a ring.” He paused. “I admit, this has been far easier than I expected.”
Trenton leaned forward in his chair. “Probably because I was informed of your regard for my daughter before you requested permission to take her for a ride in the park,” he admitted. “It seems my oldest son cannot hold his tongue when it’s come into contact with liquor.”
His eyes darting sideways, George allowed a slow grin to appear. “Then it seems I shall have to thank him for that, sir.”
The two men stood up and shook hands.
Chapter 29
A Brother Teases a Sister
Meanwhile...
“Ah, there you are,” Gabe said as he joined his sister, Anne, in the front salon of Trenton House. “I’ve been looking for you.”
Anne’s eyes widened. “Whatever for?” she asked, immediately assuming he had discovered what had happened in the park the day before.
“Conversation,” he replied as he took the upholstered chair across from where she lounged on a Greek sofa. An elaborate embroidery covered most of her lap, and her wicker sewing basket sat next to one of her feet. She held a needle mid-air, as if she might have to use it as a weapon. Having been stuck by one in the past—Gabe had teased her mercilessly about the tip of her pert nose—he leaned back in his chair.
Still on edge, Anne resumed her stitching. “You must really miss William if you are coming to me for conversation,” she replied with a smirk.
“I do, but he’ll be here soon enough. Father says he will be returning from university by the end of the week.” When she didn’t respond, he added, “It’s about Hexham.”
Anne stiffened, her needle now firmly embedded in the linen she was embroidering. Then she replayed his words in her head and her eyes widened. “Has something happened to him?” she asked in alarm as she straightened.
Gabe quickly shook his head. “Nothing that I know of,” he replied. “But I was rather hoping... you would know the answer to that.”
Although they had discussed Hexham the night before last, Gabe had been so foxed, Anne didn’t know if he remembered any of the conversation. Suspecting a trap, she gave him a quelling glance. “I’m quite sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stated, lifting the embroidery hoop to resume her sewing.
“Your ride in the park with him. Father said you two went for a ride yesterday.”
Anne’s eyes darted to one side. “We did,” she affirmed. “Although it was cold, it was quite pleasant until Graydon picked up a rock and started limping,” she added. Actually, it was more pleasant after her horse had begun limping, but she wasn’t about to tell him why.
“So your outing was cut short?”
Anne allowed a slight shrug. “Not really. We merely walked the horses to Rotten Row. But then it grew too cold to continue, and Graydon seemed to have recovered—Hexham had removed the rock from his hoof—” and me from the horse, just before he kissed me—“so we rode the rest of the way home.”
A look of disappointment settled on Gabe’s face. “Oh,” he said on a sigh.
Noting the change in his disposition, Anne furrowed a brow. “What is it?”
Gabe rolled his eyes. “Did he have... trouble? Conversing with you, I mean?”
Anne blinked. “Not that I recall,” she hedged. “Well, there were a few minutes in the hall when he first arrived. They were a bit... awkward—” when he wouldn’t let go of my hand—“but Father appeared and seemed to set him at ease.”
It was Gabe’s turn to blink. The thought of their father putting a suitor at ease seemed almost unbelievable. “Huh,” he said in response. He had a blurry memory of having discussed the situation with his father, but he couldn’t remember if it had really happened or if it had merely been a dream.
When he didn’t offer anything more, Anne’s concern piqued. “Why are you so curious about Hexham?”
He shrugged. “I am not. About him anyway. I just thought...” He allowed a sigh. “After our conversation at White’s a couple of nights ago, I was hoping for news that he would be...”
Anne angled her head to one side and then dared a glance in the direction of the door. “He would be...?” she prompted in a whisper.
Gabe cleared his throat. “My new brother.”
Swallowing, Anne wondered how to respond. She had promised she wouldn’t say anything of Hexham’s proposal, but Gabe looked as if he was truly bereft. Since they had discussed Hexham’s intent to propose two nights before, she thought she could at least set him at ease. “I believe he will be, although I cannot yet say when.”
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