The Wares, Jessica and Lord Billings took the earl’s coach to the Setons’ Green Park home.Victor joined the Setons and Ada in the duke’s town carriage.Seated next to Julian, facing the ladies, he allowed himself to consider what it might be like to be welcomed into this family.They were educated, jovial, liked books and theater, commerce—and yes, Killian, had assured him the other day, that they even enjoyed politics.
“Not that any of us is involved.Americans as we Hannifords are, we cannot vote here,” he’d said when they met in Brighton with other men of business.“But we are as ready as any to debate the issues.Especially Ada.”
“As I have noted, sir.”
“Glad you find that appealing,” Hanniford had said.
More than appealing,he thought as he gazed at the beautiful lady who sat opposite.She becomes vital to my well-being.
While the ladies repaired to the withdrawing room, Julian invited the men to join him in his library.The smell of old paper and leather bindings, the wealth of books upon the shelves assailed Victor with a measure of peace he’d sought all day.He took his glass of wine and strolled to the huge windows overlooking the park.A double set of doors led out to a wide veranda.
“We can go out if you like,” Julian offered him and the other men.
Pierce arrived with apologies.“Hope I have not missed anything.Sorry to be late.Dinner at the Langham.Took forever to conclude my business.”
The men adjourned to the veranda and spoke of the mild weather, welcome for June.A few people walked in the park.Two men in dark suits stood talking in the shadows of a large oak.The Wares discussed how they would soon retire to their country estate.
“Haven’t been here in years, Seton.”The Earl of Ware gazed out upon the vast lawns of the old park.“Always did like this view.”
“My grandfather would complain that people used to throw stones at the windows to get him to come out to talk.He built this veranda, but many use the steps anyway and come right up to the library doors.”
“Cheeky,” Ware said.“How do you deal?”
“As with anything else, one hopes the incidents are few.”Julian grew circumspect.“Which brings me to my subject.I want to thank all of you for your forbearance yesterday with the scene in your home, sir and madam.”He made a small acknowledgment of the Wares.“I remain indebted to you, Lord Victor, for your assistance with my sister, even though I know that was a difficult task for you to confront your brother.”
Victor noted how Pierce froze.In the moonlight, his stark features tightened over his bones.As if all blood drained from him.The reason for that puzzled Victor.
Julian exhaled.“My sister has had a difficult life since her marriage.She wed her husband under duress.I always wished I’d had the opportunity to dissuade her from marrying, but I was not in position to do that.My father, you see, was devoted to his financial well-being more than to Elanna’s happiness.She rebelled in the only way she could.She turned on him, my mother and at first, me as well.I regret that.In many ways, she does too.But her choices to leave her husband and live here in town, away from her child too, have meant that she suffers in ways she never anticipated.Ostracism can be cruel.It’s made her worse, erratic, sad, sometimes wild.She wishes she could change the past.She’s tried to re-enter society.But it is difficult.Many cannot forgive or forget.”
Pierce examined the ceiling, a nerve ticking in his jaw.
The earl contemplated his wine.
Victor downed his.He had the scars to prove society could be beastly.
“The condemnation of others,” Julian went on with sorrow, “including the altercation yesterday, were never goals of my once quite charming young sister.I will be so bold as to ask for your tolerance of her.But I will ask for your compassion for her, too.”
“My brother,” Victor needed to say, “is totally at fault here.He grows more…”Contemptible.“Irresponsible.Unmanageable.”
Lily was at the door, sprightly and beckoning them in.“Aren’t all of you chilly out here?Do come in.Supper is ready.”
Victor was thrilled to be done with this topic.Ada came to his side with a broad smile and looped her arm through his.
They filed out of the library into the wide white marbled foyer, headed for the dining room across the hall.
A carriage pulled up outside, the horse whinnying amid a clatter of wheels and shouts.Unusual sounds for this neighborhood where thetondid not draw attention to themselves with crass behavior.
But voices out on the street carried in.
The party stopped, all of them, to stare at each other.
Someone banged on the door.“Open up!I beg you.”
Julian stepped forward.
“I’ll get it, Your Grace!”Julian’s butler rushed ahead to grab the knob.He flung it wide.
In stumbled a young man.Tall, lean, with a shock of disheveled gold hair, he had remarkable large eyes, wide with terror.
