Ah yes. Henry’s dissolute brother. Is Henry aware?
I did not have a good answer to that. Instead, I accepted the tray with a goblet and the bottle of wine and then headed upstairs.
Henry’s eyes were shut when I arrived.
I laid the tray on the table and went to shut the door.
“I am awake.”
“As you are, might I suggest some food?”
His nose twitched. “That smells magnificent. Oh, and you brought wine. Good man.”
I can do what I am told. That said, I was glad the bottle was only half full. I did not wish Henry to get rip-roaring drunk his first night home.Or maybe that will be what he needs.Whatever. Henry was a man of thirty-five. The Earl of Hartridge. Master of Crosswood Hall and all the lands. If he wanted to imbibe, my responsibility was to ensure he did not injure himself.
That decided, I poured half a goblet of wine and brought the tray to Henry.
He managed to sit up, so I was able to put the tray on his lap.
I pulled up a chair and grabbed a spoon.
He scowled. “What do you think you are doing?”
“Assisting you to eat…?” This seemed pretty obvious to me.
He snatched the spoon from me. With great strength. Using his left hand. “I am able to do a few things.” He continued to scowl. “Buttons are impossible. As are cravats. Not that I intend to wear them.”
“Ah, but when you entertain the Marstons, Lord Linwood of Lynchwood Hall, the Somersets from Waverly Park, and JohnSutherland from Blackthorne Estate, you will need to wear a cravat.”
Now the scowl became a glare.
I pointed to the stew. “Before it gets cold.”
He took a mouthful. A little awkwardly, but he did not spill.
“You are the earl. Youwillentertain the prominent families as you are required to do. You will visit the tenants and farmers. You will ride on Maestro as you once did.”
His gaze shot to mine. “Maestro is still alive?”
“He was a colt when you departed. He is still very much alive. He will be pleased to see you.”
“I cannot ride a horse.”
“Cannot or will not?” I pointed to the glass of wine.
He snatched it and drank deeply. A bit awkwardly…but he managed.
“I will not ride a horse.”
Ah. So perhaps because of his injury. We’ll see about that.
“Eat up, my lord. Tomorrow you will be busy.”
“I instructed you to refer to me as Henry when we are alone.”
“Eat up, Henry. You have much work ahead of you.”
A ghost of a smile passed across his lips as he believed he had won this argument.
