Susan tapped her forehead with a military salute. ‘Righto, doctor. You’d better cast your hook into fresh waters before his noble bossiness comes back.’
He saluted her back and headed out the door for Mount Street.
William was at home. That was a good sign, thought Jacob, as the butler showed him up to the family parlour. If William had refused him entry, then he would know that the consequences threatened by Arthur were already being imposed.
William was alone, standing by the window and looking down on the street. He turned as Jacob entered.
‘Is it true?’ he asked.
‘Good morning to you too.’ Jacob looked about him. ‘No Charlotte?’
‘She’s taken the children to visit her mother.’ William must’ve realised that a frontal attack wasn’t going to be welcomed so reverted to his more usual pleasantries. He couldn’t be rude for long– it just wasn’t in him. ‘Please, sit down. I’ll ring for a tray. Hungry?’
‘I could eat,’ admitted Jacob, though breakfast wasn’t that long ago.
William rang the bell and ordered a pot of coffee and sandwiches. He sat in the winged armchair, so Jacob took a place in the other one across the fireplace from him.
‘In answer to your question, yes, it is true. I didn’t think you would be surprised.’
William slouched back and dropped his chin to his chest, contemplating his hands linked in his lap, avoiding Jacob’s gaze. ‘I was optimistic it would blow over.’
‘Blow over?’
‘That you and Miss Fitz-Pennington would settle down to being… something else.’
‘She isn’t mistress material.’
William cleared his throat awkwardly. ‘Evidently not. You wouldn’t have introduced her to my wife if you thought that, but I hoped that perhaps…’
‘Perhaps we would be persuaded to toe the line and live together quietly not challenging you all by giving our relationship religious sanction?’
He jerked his head in a nod.
‘Do you know how bad that sounds?’ Jacob didn’t want that. Marriage mattered to him, dammit, and it should to his brothers.
The butler entered at that fraught moment and placed the tray on a small table between them. William waved him off.
‘We are not to be disturbed,’ he ordered.
The man retreated without a flicker in his expression indicating that he knew what was going on, but of course he did. Servants always knew.
‘Shall we start again?’ said Jacob in a light tone. ‘I was going to tell you myself but the newspapers got there first. I’m delighted to announce that I have asked Miss Fitz-Pennington to be my wife.’ That was if he could persuade her to say ‘yes’ and stick to that plan now Ruby had lodged a protest.
‘Congratulations. I like her– I really do. She’s brave and unconventional, and I think she really does love you. I want that for you.’
‘But?’
‘But I just wish it didn’t come with a cargo-hold full of trouble. What’s this about Miss Plum?’ Rallying, William passed him a plate and offered the sandwiches.
Jacob took two that looked like cheddar and pickle. ‘To be honest, that’s the part I most regret. Diana will surely read the column– she’s no fool. Do you think she knows what Arthur gets up to in his house in Marylebone?’
‘I don’t know. I find her… inscrutable.’
‘Has Charlotte ever said?’
‘My wife is friendly with Diana but not an intimate. The new viscountess plays her cards close to her chest.’
And that reserve was part of the reason Arthur had given Jacob in their last conversation as to why he sought warmth and friendship from a mistress.
