Arthur smiled again. “You answered your own question.”
“I see.”
“Does Lady Cathryn interest you, Charles?”
“I don’t know. I do know she is smart, well-educated, and played better than any of the other young ladies.”
“I’m sure something else can be arranged if you’d like to see her again.”
“I don’t think her parents would approve of me courting their daughter.”
Arthur cleared his throat. “You don’t have to start out courting, even if that’s what you want. There’s no reason you couldn’t be friends.”
“I plan on marrying her,” he replied.
Daphne and Arthur smiled at each other. “Is that so?” Arthur teased.
“Yes.”
“I understand she and her family are leaving for the country in a day or two,” Daphne said.
“Where in the country?”
“Their estate is in Kent so she wouldn’t be too far,” Daphne replied.
“I see. Perhaps I can call on her at some time. I need to work on my book first and don’t need to be distracted.”
“When you feel the time is right, just let us know,” Arthur said.
Charles nodded. “I shall. Tell me how it is you think I have an interest other than friendship with Lady Cathryn?”
He first needed to figure out what these feelings were that he was having. It was odd, and he wasn’t sure he liked it. His life had always been predictable and structured. He wasn’t sure he wanted to change that.
“We don’t,” Arthur replied.
“You seem to like to talk with her,” Daphne added.
“Yes. She is quite intelligent and easy to talk with.”
He shut his eyes to the outside world. They weren’t far from the house and, when they did arrive, his first move would be to go to his suite. His head was beginning to throb because of all the new stimuli he’d experienced today alone. He would be glad to get out of town and to the country. He wanted to see the cottage Arthur mentioned. It might be perfect, though Daphne explained he would have his own wing in the manor house. That would give him the privacy he preferred. A lot of decisions to be made, and on a scale he’d never had to deal with.
The carriage was approaching its destination. It slowed and a moment later came to a stop. He cracked an eye to see what was going on around him.
“We’re home, Charles,” Arthur said.
Gathering his hat, he waited for the pair to leave the carriage. Once they did, he followed a short distance behind. Once in the grand hall, he bid them both good night and bounded up the stairs two at a time to his chamber. He found a fire burning low in the hearth, and in the bedroom he found the bed turned back and his night clothes laid out on the bed. As usual, Frazier saw to his needs, knowing he liked structure in his life.
Walking back out into the sitting room, he poured himself a brandy. He carried it back and after taking a healthy swallow, Charles began to change out of his clothes, after which he climbed up on the bed and picked up a book from the bedside table and began to read.
He found his eyes heavy and unable to stay focused on the words before him. It took every effort to read the book on the Roman Empire. He should know it. The book was similar to others; this one simply had a spin on where they landed and when. The author was doing the Romans no favor by how he wrote. Others had written about this before, but were easier to read. It was almost as though the author wanted the reader to find fault in his work. Charles was surprised a publishing house would print this in its current form. It obviously hadn’t been well edited, and the author wandered off the track all the time.
Finally, he set the book aside and picked up the brandy snifter. He swirled the dark amber liquid and raised the glass to his lips and swallowed. The brandy was smooth going down, so he drank until the glass was empty. He lay back against the pillows and closed his eyes.
*
Two days laterwhile they were on their way to the country, Charles thought he’d been here before. Had he really been here or did he see it in a dream? Things really looked familiar as they drove down the drive to the house. A lot of memories came back to him. Why didn’t Arthur recall them? They were twins after all. Perhaps Arthur didn’t remember because he lived here all his life. The memories Charles recalled were that of a young boy. One who was shunned by his classmates because he was different than the rest of them. Arthur even joined in the taunting, but had told him later when Charles asked him about itthat if he hadn’t, they would have turned on him as well. Charles saw no point in reminding his brother of those times.
Walking into the entrance hall, Charles felt a rush of memories. He and Arthur were running around here, being chased out by the housekeeper. He passed his hat and coat to a waiting footman.
