“Your Grace,” the man said with a slight bow. “I’m Frazier, Lord Charles’s valet.”
“Frazier. It’s nice to meet someone who’s actually been around Charles. You’ve served him long?”
“I’ve served him since he turned ten. His father thought he needed someone to help him out,” Frazier replied.
“Then you’ll be accompanying us to London?”
“Aye, unless you have other plans, Your Grace.”
Arthur shook his head. “You’ve been with my brother far too long to replace you. He trusts you or else you wouldn’t still be around.”
“That is true.”
“Tell me about my brother.”
“Not much to tell. He’s the smartest man I’ve ever met. His memory is like nothing I’ve ever encountered. He walks when he’s uncomfortable or needs to think something out. Crowds do make him uncomfortable. That’s why he isn’t here. He’s either walking or he’s watching what’s going on.”
“Interesting. I understand from Lord Denton that Charles is aware he’s moving. Does that upset him?”
“At first it upset him, but he and I have discussed it many times and he seems more comfortable knowing he’s finally going to be among family.”
“He’ll have his own suite of rooms when we return to London. Do you think he’ll be okay with that arrangement?When we return to my estate in Kent, we can re-evaluate things and see what he might want.”
“I think he’ll be fine. Just a word of advice… don’t rush him. Let him adjust to changes in his own time. This is a huge one for him.”
Arthur nodded. “You’re absolutely right. I might need you to remind me of that at first.”
“Not a problem.”
“Did you set aside a case to go with us on the carriage?”
Frazier nodded. “I did.”
“I suppose we ought to find my brother and see if we can’t be on our way.”
“I know exactly where he is. I’ll get him. That’s probably easiest and then the two of you can meet.”
“Thank you, Frazier. Whatever you think best. You’re making this a lot easier than I imagined.”
Frazier grunted, turned, and went in the general direction he’d indicated moments ago.
Arthur knew he still had hurdles to overcome, but just the fact that someone who knew Charles was going to stay on made him feel more at ease. He would find out what the man was making in this position. Surely not enough. A raise would probably be needed for everything he did.
He walked in the direction Frazier had gone. How would this go? Would Charles accept him, or would he need help to overcome his fears? He was about to find out.
Chapter Three
Arthur stopped inhis tracks and stared at what he saw. In front of him stood a young man. Charles. He was talking lowly to Frasier, but then his eyes locked with Arthur’s and the two stared at each other. He was amazed. It was like looking at himself in a mirror. There were some slight differences, but only he and probably Frazier would notice them. Charles wore his hair longer; it went to his shoulders and was slightly lighter due to all the sunlight he got. He was muscular from all the labor he did to occupy his time. The men stood in silence, each taking the other in.
Finally, Arthur decided to try and break the silence. “Hello, Charles, I’m your brother Arthur.”
It took a minute or so for Charles to process what was going on. He kept standing, not a muscle flinching.
“Yes, I know. You look amazingly a lot like me.”
“Indeed, you do. Are you ready to head out to London?”
Charles hesitated with his answer. Frazier was right there with him. “We’ve talked about this. We’re going to London. Arthur is an MP. Then we’ll go to Kent.”
