“I guess,” James agrees slowly. “I’ll have to call on him after Cowes.”
“Good. Lady Ashmond’s most excited about it. But tell me, did it pass?”
“What?” James asks, mind stalled on Thomas Parker and Lady Ashmond and Gwen’s casual mention of the young men of the D’Vere clientele. All that time spent trying to keep his personal life separate from the ton, and his worlds have seemingly collided without him even knowing. What a fool he’s been.
“It did!” Albert exclaims, grinning as Gwen whoops.
“Father must be pleased,” Gwen says happily.
“Oh, he was,” Albert says, pulling out the envelopes and handing James’ back to him.
He can’t help but smile as Gwen whistles. “We’ll have tomake the most of the week,” James says, exchanging a quick glance with Albert.
No need to mar a good afternoon with talk of blackmail, at least not more than once.
“Other than Lady Ashmond’s grand plans, you’re still enjoying the work?” James asks, deciding he’ll have to make amends in gestures rather than apologies, for now.
“Oh, it’s wonderful. I know it was Beth’s idea, but I’ve really grown to love it. It’s very rewarding. I wish I could take them all home, honestly,” Gwen adds, her smile dimming a little.
“Well, maybe with the passage of the Medical Act, there will be fewer orphans,” James says encouragingly. “And maybe we can get a few more doctors on staff at the hospital to help with the deliveries that do make it to the hospital, so fewer mothers die there too.”
“I’d like that,” Gwen says. “You have lists?”
“Absolutely. When we’re back, you and I can go through them, and we can propose a few hires?”
Gwen considers him for a beat. “Yes. That would be wonderful.” There’s something approving in her gaze. He feels like maybe he’s passed some kind of test. “Now. Cowes. What are our plans?”
“Well, we’ll watch the heats, of course,” Albert says. “And I know you were dying to get out on one of the boats. I figure among us”—he gestures to James—“we must know someone who could captain for us.”
“I’d need a good first mate, but I could captain,” James finds himself saying.
“That’s right!” Gwen exclaims, looking at him expectantly.
James can’t help but smile back. “Would you like to learn?”
“Yes!” Gwen nearly shrieks, launching herself across thecarriage to throw her arms around him. It makes the whole carriage rock and James feels his flush crawl down his chest and up to his hairline as she sits back. “No one would ever let me. I’m so excited.”
“She’s your monster now,” Albert says, laughing.
But that’s just fine with James. Despite maritime superstition, he can’t think of anyone with as much tenacity as Gwen. She’ll make an excellent first mate. “It’s a deal.”
“Fabulous,” Gwen says, the carriage lurching to a stop as they pull up in front of the Havenfort townhouse. “Bring me an extra frock coat and linen pants. I want to be able to move.”
“We’ll discuss it,” Albert says as James impulsively starts to agree.
Gwen rolls her eyes and hops out without any assistance. “See you tomorrow,” she says excitedly before running up her front steps.
“We’re doomed,” Albert says.
James shrugs. “It made her happy.”
“Yes, it did,” Albert agrees, eyeing him as the carriage makes its way around the square toward the Mason townhouse.
James stares out the window, his good cheer rapidly deteriorating in Gwen’s absence.
“Would you care to stay for dinner, to celebrate?” Albie asks as they stop outside his townhouse.
No matter how much he wants to run through Albert’s house to find Bobby, shove him up against a wall, and kiss him until every apology and regret he has dissolves against his hot mouth... he needs to do this right, not hastily for the sake of haste. Bobby deserves more than a half-baked apology.
