“After speaking to Cecily and learning that you came to Bath, Margaret said I was to stay a few days,” Sebastian quipped. “Her exact words were,Go and see if he’s alive. And if he isn’t, remind him that he is.”
Edward snorted despite himself. “She’s improved.”
“So have you,” Sebastian said lightly. He stepped fully into the room, surveying it with interest. “You’ve rearranged the furniture. Again.”
“I haven’t.”
“You have. The chair used to face the window. Now it faces the desk.” He paused. “A defensive position.”
Edward’s mouth twitched. “You read too much into it.”
“I readpeople,” Sebastian emphasized. “And you look like a man who’s been arguing with himself and losing.”
Edward rose and poured two glasses of wine. “Sit down before you exhaust yourself.”
Sebastian laughed, dropping into the chair opposite the desk.
The wrong chair, Edward noted immediately. The one that never stayed occupied for long.
Sebastian accepted a glass with a satisfied hum. “Ah, that’s better. I knew you wouldn’t starve me.”
“Well?” Edward prompted. “How’s London?”
Sebastian took a measured sip. “Still standing.”
“And the scandal?”
Sebastian laughed. “Oh,completelyforgotten. A whisper now. Something the matrons pretend not to remember and the men pretend they never repeated.” He lifted his glass. “Your name, I’m pleased to report, remains entirely respectable.”
Edward did not return the toast.
Sebastian noticed. He always did.
“That’s good news,” he pressed. “You should be pleased.”
Edward set his glass down and walked towards the window. “I’m not sure it matters.”
Sebastian blinked. “It doesn’t matter?”
“No.”
A pause. A longer one.
Sebastian studied him openly now. “That’s new.”
Edward’s mouth curved faintly. “Is it?”
“Yes,” Sebastian said. “You’ve built your life on not being careless with your name.”
Edward’s gaze drifted to the window. “Perhaps I was wrong to.”
Sebastian leaned forward, his forearms resting on his knees. “Edward… when a man starts thinking his reputation doesn’t matter, it usually means someone does.”
Edward let out a short laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Am I?”’
Edward waved a dismissive hand. “You’ve been away from Margaret for too long.”
