Euan dropped the ledger onto the desk. “You’ll both attend the Spierses’ coming ball here in the city, surely. More than one business affair hinges upon it.”
Leith perused another ledger, distracted. “I shall see what she says.”
Setting aside his empty glass, Euan leaned forward in his chair. “You’re lettingherdecide?”
Leith shrugged. “With a looming war, I’ve nae time to consider it.”
“You’d best pay attention. She sounds twin to the Bluestockings Society overseen by Elizabeth Montagu, encroaching on and undermining men’s affairs.”
“Juliet is simply following biblical commands to show mercy, generosity, and all the rest. I canna fault that.”
Euan snorted. “Rather than bankrupt us with extravagances and luxuries as many a lass would, she may well do the same draining the Buchanan coffers.”
“She’s quite amiable about having her way,” Leith said.
Niall expelled a tense breath. “At least you’ve won her. I beg you both to consider my predicament at present.” Finished with his whisky, he returned his empty glass to the desk. “I am at an impasse in my courtship of Miss Catesby and need you to put in a favorable word for me.”
His youngest brother looked so dejected Leith almost felt sorry for him. “I am rarely home.” The admission came with a nick of guilt. “I thought it went well enough at the fête.”
“As did I.” Niall rubbed his jaw in agitation. “But there’ve been so many suitors at Virginia Street I’m surprised you’re not stumbling over them when you return home at night.”
“What means ye?”
“Yesterday I waited in line an hour and a half.”
“When you could have been attending to business,” Leith said, near scathing in his tone. “Why didn’t you get out of line and come back at a better time?”
“There were more suitors behind me than ahead of me.” Niall shook his head. “It’s that ruinous five thousand pounds. That and the fact she said she wants to choose carefully and pray about her future first.”
“Wise beyond her years,” Euan said, his tone mocking. “Or perhaps utterly glaikit.”
Niall sent him a warning look. “She asked how I felt about spiritual matters.”
“You go to kirk,” Leith said, sitting down.
“Apparently she’s looking for more than that, though she doesna elaborate. The right gentleman would need nae elaboration, she gently explained.”
“Then she should marry clergy,” Leith said. “Not a Buchanan.”
“I told her I would give up sporting if she would consider me a serious suitor.”
“Take her to Lamb Hill,” Leith told him. “That’s better leverage.”
Euan yawned. “You both make me doubly glad Lyrica and I are well past these theatrics.”
“Theatrics?” Leith said wryly. “If I recall, you were her second choice.”
“Her first suitor had the audacity to die, aye.” Euan lifted broad shoulders in a shrug. “He was her father’s preference, being the son of an earl. But I cared enough for her that in the end a title didna matter.” Euan looked hard at Niall. “Are you willing to persist?”
“She’s the loveliest lass I’ve ever seen.” Vulnerability eased Niall’s tense features. “But there’s more to her than that.”
Aye, more. Far more, Leith didn’t say. And he wasn’t thinking of Loveday. He pulled at his watch chain and noted the time. With a wink at Niall, he said, “Then I advise you to go stand in line.”
47
A lofty cane, a sword with silver hilt, a ring, two watches, and a snuff-box gilt.
Holbeach
