Had We Never Loved by Patricia Veryan

Katrina.”
    â€œI don’t see that,” said Morris doggedly. “I may not be her richest beau, but I ain’t pockets to let. My family’s not contemptible, I think. Miss Katrina is of age. And besides, you’re not the head of your family, Mr. Neville Falcon is.” He glanced to the side and said with a grin, “More company to depress your spirits, poor fella. Well met, Tio!”
    Glendenning, wearing riding dress, was walking from the house. He waved cheerily, and Falcon’s expression lightened very slightly.
    Having shaken hands with the men, the viscount dropped to one knee and kissed Gwendolyn’s fingers. She scanned his face and asked shrewdly, “Shall I go away, Tio?”
    He smiled. “What, and rob us of your lovely presence?”
    â€œI think you wish to talk gentleman talk. But if you mean to discuss duels, I shall sit here and listen to every word you say.”
    Morris said solemnly, “A watched pot never boils.”
    â€œOh, Gad!” exclaimed Falcon. “Now see what you’ve done! He’s at it again!”
    â€œIf you must know, madam, I came to talk about my brother,” said Glendenning, laughing.
    Gwendolyn lifted her hands. “Help me up then, if you please. I expect Katrina is waiting for me.” Glendenning lifted her to her feet, and with a flourish Morris presented her cane. She thanked him prettily, and passed the brush to Falcon. “Here. You finish him.”
    Watching her limp away, Glendenning murmured, “What a darling she is.”
    â€œSunny little thing,” agreed Morris. “Pity she’s—” He stopped, and his face reddened.
    â€œCrippled?” Falcon said derisively, “Why choke over the word? She don’t.”
    Irritated, Morris said, “Oh, brush your hound.”
    â€œI’ve no least intention of doing so.” Falcon heaved the brush at him. “You do it. You’re the one with the alleged heart of gold.”
    â€œJove, Falcon!” exclaimed Morris. “That’s the first nice thing you ever said to me!”
    â€œI am feverish,” muttered Falcon, feeling his brow anxiously. “I’d best go and lie down upon my bed!”
    Morris grinned and threw the brush back to him. “Take this with you. You know damned well that brute would have my arm off did I dare touch him.”
    â€œOh, yes.” Catching the brush, Falcon glanced at Glendenning, who had sat down on one of the benches and was watching them with faint amusement. “What’s to do, oh mighty peer? We have been bereft of your nobility and wisdom for several days.”
    â€œHad you need of either?”
    Resuming the business of grooming Apollo, who had begun to eye Morris and show his teeth, Falcon replied, “I have managed somehow to survive.”
    Morris said thoughtfully, “My great uncle managed to survive till he was nine and ninety. Most foolish old duck I ever knew.”
    â€œGlendenning,” said Falcon, “will you please tell us if the arrangements are made, and then take him away with you? He is lechering after Katrina again, and I’ll not have it! I—er, presume you did come to tell us that you and Rossiter have set the date?”
    â€œWell, I did, yes. But I told Miss Rossiter I had come to talk about my brother, so I’ll keep my word and get that over first, if you don’t mind. I do not seem able to come up with Templeby. Crenshore told me he’d seen him with Piers Cranford, so I went to Muse Manor. Michael had already left there, but Cranford dropped the same hint to me that you did, Falcon.”
    Falcon shot a quick and faintly guilty glance at Morris.
    Morris muttered glumly, “‘Wine sets a wise man singing.’”
    Gritting his teeth, Falcon flung his hands over his ears. “Tell me when he’s done!”
    The viscount asked, “So you knew also, did you Jamie?”
    â€œHeard he