sideboard, Jake poured a brandy before assuming the adjacent chair. “Daniel, I’m curious. Why is it you rent that rat’s nest when you have a perfectly good home on Curzon Street?” His brother’s glass paused midair. He took his time contemplating an answer, and Jake sipped his drink while he waited.
“I don’t entertain lightskirts at my residence.”
The brandy went down the wrong way, causing Jake to sputter and spew his drink, sparking a string of curses from his brother.
“Sorry,” Jake mumbled once he recovered.
Daniel jerked a handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket and blotted his face. “This whole sharing among siblings is overprized. I have my own spirits, thank you.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“And as I was saying, I confine certain activities to the appropriate settings. I don’t wish to cause an uproar with the servants.”
“I see.”
“I’m sure you don’t.” Before Daniel could launch into his usual tirade about Jake’s tendency to adhere too closely to societal expectations, their mother glided into the room.
“Excellent. You have returned.” She shook a fist of sheer fabric with gold edging at Jake. “The servants located Lady Audley’s shawl. She may need it, so be quick about it.”
Jake frowned. “Be quick about it? What is your meaning?”
She shook the shawl again. “The phaeton is prepared. I want you to deliver this to the lady.”
“Send one of the footmen.”
Her hands landed on her hips, the shawl cascading almost to the ground. “Send a footman? Darling, they are much too busy with their duties.” She thrust the shimmering material at him again. “I ask very little of you, Jake.”
“I would be happy to assist, Mother.” Daniel set his glass on a side table and prepared to push himself from his chair.
Jake bolted from his seat and grabbed the fabric before his brother could stand. “She asked me.”
If Daniel thought Jake would allow him to call on Amelia, he was deluding himself.
***
Amelia spread orange marmalade on her toast and scanned the pages of The Morning Times as she ate breakfast alone. She had been following the same routine since moving to the Park Street town house after her husband’s death. In fact, her routine dated back to the early days of her marriage.
Had Audley ever shared breakfast with her? Often he had remained in bed after a late night out, or he never made it home. Whatever entertainments he sought outside their marriage bed left her engaged in solitary pursuits, much like her childhood. After her mother’s death, her father had become like an apparition floating in and out of her life as it suited him.
She frowned and turned the page, smoothing the wrinkles with her hand. Why Audley had bothered marrying her was still a mystery to her. She hadn’t carried a large dowry, and there were more accomplished young ladies presented that season. Of course, he had professed to love her, which seemed a nice sentiment, one that had piqued Amelia’s interest at the time. Yet, oddly, a man’s love felt similar to his indifference.
Her butler entered the breakfast room, impatience flashing in his eyes. “Lady Kennell has come to call.”
Amelia suspected Bradford found Bibi’s early hours for visits improper, but she didn’t mind. Her friend made certain she was never alone for long, and Amelia loved her for her efforts.
“Please, show her in.”
Bibi burst through the doorway. “I told you she would see me, Bradford.” Obviously, she had eavesdropped outside the breakfast room.
Strolling in, she took a seat as if she resided at Verona House, which she should, considering she spent most of her time there. “And I’ll take eggs and toast with honey, crusts cut off.”
“Yes, milady.” Bradford’s tone left little doubt her demands irritated him.
Bibi winked at Amelia. “Oh, and Bradford?” Sweetness dripped from her words like the honey she had requested.
He halted with a sigh. “Yes, Lady
“I don’t entertain lightskirts at my residence.”
The brandy went down the wrong way, causing Jake to sputter and spew his drink, sparking a string of curses from his brother.
“Sorry,” Jake mumbled once he recovered.
Daniel jerked a handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket and blotted his face. “This whole sharing among siblings is overprized. I have my own spirits, thank you.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“And as I was saying, I confine certain activities to the appropriate settings. I don’t wish to cause an uproar with the servants.”
“I see.”
“I’m sure you don’t.” Before Daniel could launch into his usual tirade about Jake’s tendency to adhere too closely to societal expectations, their mother glided into the room.
“Excellent. You have returned.” She shook a fist of sheer fabric with gold edging at Jake. “The servants located Lady Audley’s shawl. She may need it, so be quick about it.”
Jake frowned. “Be quick about it? What is your meaning?”
She shook the shawl again. “The phaeton is prepared. I want you to deliver this to the lady.”
“Send one of the footmen.”
Her hands landed on her hips, the shawl cascading almost to the ground. “Send a footman? Darling, they are much too busy with their duties.” She thrust the shimmering material at him again. “I ask very little of you, Jake.”
“I would be happy to assist, Mother.” Daniel set his glass on a side table and prepared to push himself from his chair.
Jake bolted from his seat and grabbed the fabric before his brother could stand. “She asked me.”
If Daniel thought Jake would allow him to call on Amelia, he was deluding himself.
***
Amelia spread orange marmalade on her toast and scanned the pages of The Morning Times as she ate breakfast alone. She had been following the same routine since moving to the Park Street town house after her husband’s death. In fact, her routine dated back to the early days of her marriage.
Had Audley ever shared breakfast with her? Often he had remained in bed after a late night out, or he never made it home. Whatever entertainments he sought outside their marriage bed left her engaged in solitary pursuits, much like her childhood. After her mother’s death, her father had become like an apparition floating in and out of her life as it suited him.
She frowned and turned the page, smoothing the wrinkles with her hand. Why Audley had bothered marrying her was still a mystery to her. She hadn’t carried a large dowry, and there were more accomplished young ladies presented that season. Of course, he had professed to love her, which seemed a nice sentiment, one that had piqued Amelia’s interest at the time. Yet, oddly, a man’s love felt similar to his indifference.
Her butler entered the breakfast room, impatience flashing in his eyes. “Lady Kennell has come to call.”
Amelia suspected Bradford found Bibi’s early hours for visits improper, but she didn’t mind. Her friend made certain she was never alone for long, and Amelia loved her for her efforts.
“Please, show her in.”
Bibi burst through the doorway. “I told you she would see me, Bradford.” Obviously, she had eavesdropped outside the breakfast room.
Strolling in, she took a seat as if she resided at Verona House, which she should, considering she spent most of her time there. “And I’ll take eggs and toast with honey, crusts cut off.”
“Yes, milady.” Bradford’s tone left little doubt her demands irritated him.
Bibi winked at Amelia. “Oh, and Bradford?” Sweetness dripped from her words like the honey she had requested.
He halted with a sigh. “Yes, Lady
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