“No, but I’ve got a better understanding on the situation.”
“Good,” Daphne replied.
“I know there are other families who have endured or are going through something similar. We aren’t unique. I never in a thousand years would have thought our family would be one. The fact that my father never gave me the slightest hint about Charles is worrisome right now.”
“You have to take into consideration what happened to your parents. It might just be that he was going to tell you since he knew you would someday be duke, but his life was cut short.”
Arthur picked up an apple slice and bit into it thoughtfully. “You’re right, of course.”
The room fell into a peaceful quiet as they both ate. One of the things he admired about Daphne was that they could be in the same room for hours and never feel the need to speak. Just knowing she was near soothed him.
“What are your plans? Is Charles going to live here or in Kent?”
“My intention is for him to stay in the blue suite here. It’s the largest guest suite. In Kent he could stay in a separate wing. He’d have privacy when he needs it but could still eat with us. I imagine it’s going to be an adjustment for him to learn to live around others.”
“There’s always the option of one of the cottages that isn’t being used at the moment.”
“That’s true. It’ll be easier to make a decision once I’ve met with Denton. The move alone from the only place he’s called home is going to be traumatic enough,” he replied.
“Hopefully Denton will send a reply quickly. Would you like me to accompany you?”
Arthur shook his head. “Not the first time. I don’t wish to overwhelm him. I’m not even sure he’ll know there’s about to be some major changes to his life.”
“Very well. Would you like for me to have the suite readied for him?”
“That would be very helpful.”
“Let me know what you need from me, and I’ll be sure to get it done,” Daphne said.
He grinned. “You can start by going over and locking the door.”
“Arthur, are you wanting to be naughty? So early in the day?”
“Perhaps.”
“Are you free this afternoon?”
This time he shook his head. “I’m afraid not. There are several matters I need to be a part of in Parliament.”
“You’re a busy man, Arthur. I know your constituents already look up to you, and you seem to savor every bit of it.”
“I will admit I’m enjoying it. I never thought I would,” he replied.
She kissed him on the cheek. “I will let you get back to what you were doing. I’ll have the suite cleaned and aired out.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you before I leave.”
She nodded with a grin as she walked through the door. By the time the door clicked closed, Arthur was deep in thought.
Chapter Two
Ten days later,Arthur found himself on his way to the Isle of Wight. He was going to meet his brother for the very first time. Though he was excited, he was also apprehensive. He wasn’t sure what to expect. Charles knew about Roxanne and him, but how would he be received? According to what he’d been able to learn about his brother, Arthur knew Charles was extremely intelligent, especially good with numbers. There were others who thought Charles was mad and should be kept away from others, which was why he’d lived most of his life with little human contact, especially when it came to crowds. Crowds made him nervous.
Arthur had left London early in the morning in hopes of getting ahead of the morning traffic on the streets of the capital. Once the city was behind him, he sat back and opened the ledger his attorney had given him about Charles’s expenses. There was one name that kept coming up in the ledger. The transactions were only deposits, and they were from a publishing house of all things. It piqued his curiosity as to what the deposits were for. He pulled a notebook sitting at his side and made some notes and questions.
Soon he put the ledger and notebook to one side and stretched his legs in front of him. Looking out the window of the carriage, he noted the sky had turned gray with no sign of it changing. The closer they got to the coast, the darker the horizon, meaning storms were on their way.
He hoped they would arrive at the waterfront before the weather changed and any boats heading to Wight canceled. It was a short journey and only happened if the water was too rough.
