The laugh was general and followed by Paul putting down his knife and fork and throwing an arm around his sister’s shoulders. “I completely understand, my dear.”
“Seriously though, Paul.” Edmund leaned back in his chair. “You know there is a place for you here with us.”
“And at FitzArden Hall, as well,” added James. “He’s put his name on a suite there, by virtue of the many favours he’s done for me during the building of the darn thing. I couldn’t be where I am now without his help obtaining all kinds of things from all sorts of people in town.”
“So there you have it.” Paul spread his hands. “I am well taken care of, at the moment. And I have hopes that some of the DeVoreaux investments will begin to trickle my way by the new year. In that, at least, the transfers are being done quietly and privately. The Ton might get a tad gossipy about my taking up residence in the DeVoreaux town home in Mayfair, but won’t even notice if I acquire a goodly number of shares on ‘Change.”
“Good, then things are moving, slug-speed notwithstanding.” Rosaline smiled. “’Tis good to know, Paul. You are my brother, after all.”
“And knowing I have family now?” He glanced around the table. “That is enormous. Thank you all.”
“Well, I think it’s time to withdraw?” Rosaline touched her lips with her napkin and allowed the omniscient Chidwell to pull her chair back as she stood.
“I refuse to let the gentlemen desert us, Rosaline.” Letitia lifted her chin. “And I would like brandy, instead of tea. I’m not sure why they get to enjoy it by themselves…”
“Good point.” Rosaline linked arms with Edmund and smiled warmly at him. “We shall withdraw together, although I’d prefer tea. I do have an obligation to the tadpole…”
Paul choked. “For God’s sake, is that your nickname for yourhusband?”
Standing at the door of the parlour, awaiting the after-dinner arrival of her mistress, Harriet heard the burst of laughter and smiled. This was indeed a close-knit family who shared more than she’d imagined could be possible, including laughter.
It was a strange notion, but a pleasant one to a woman who’d had nothing in the way of family at all for too many years. And for a few moments she forgot that she was about to deliver a highly private document to a gentleman who shouldn’t have been reading it without the author’s permission.
And she was doing all that so that her mistress could learn about passion and desire from the only man Harriet considered worthy of instructing her. Again, a highly improper state of affairs.
The consequent question remained unanswered. After all, when had life ever been proper for any of them?
