Bobby chuckles softly, finally tucking properly into his soup while Demeroven stares, agog. Lady Harrington may look like the portrait of propriety, but she’s as wily as Beth and Gwen.
“And you, ladies? Anyone on your horizons?”
Bobby watches Beth and Gwen share a faux innocent look. “No,” Gwen says, with forced melancholy.
“But with the new baby, I don’t mind so much,” Beth puts in.
“He is very cute,” Gwen agrees.
“And he’s well? And Lady Havenfort?” Meredith asks immediately. “I should have asked first thing.”
“They’re both doing wonderfully,” Beth assures her. “And baby Frederic gets more animated by the day. I swear he smiled at me the other morning; it was the most precious thing.”
“He was smiling at me, actually,” Gwen says.
“I can’t wait to play with your little one,” Beth adds to Meredith, both she and Gwen looking a little wistful.
“All the more reason for you two beautiful girls to find yourselves husbands,” Lady Harrington says. “I know a number of unattached young gentlemen. Lord Highmore, for instance.”
“Who hates Gwen with a passion,” Meredith mumbles.
“I believe he’s actually getting rather friendly with Lady Liesel,” Demeroven says.
Bobby looks over at him, impressed. Demeroven winks at him, which has Bobby sitting up straight.
“Ah, well, that’s a pity, though Lady Liesel is a lovely young girl. Lord Ruming, however—”
“Albie, weren’t you telling me that Lord Ruming is about to propose to someone?” Meredith interjects.
“I was,” Albie agrees. “Nice girl from the country; untitled too, I believe.”
“A true love match, then,” Lady Harrington says. “Well, good for him. I’ll have to think of some other young men to suggest. Once we get to London, I’m sure Miss Bertram’s mother and I can sit down and make a proper list. Your father has never been much for planning, has he, dear?” she asks, looking to Gwen.
Gwen holds back a laugh. “I’m sure he’d appreciate it. Though,” she says, glancing down the table in a way that makes Bobby want to duck and cover, “I think he’s actually been making more plans for Bobby and Demeroven, as they’re more valuable to the family, aren’t they, Albie?”
Albie glances from Gwen to Bobby, looking apologetic. “I suppose that’s true, politically speaking. Though what’s most important is for everyone to be happy; no one in this family need be a chess piece.”
“Good to know,” Bobby hears Demeroven mutter.
“Well, boys, tell me—what outings have you been on, then? Have any young ladies caught your eye?” Lady Harrington asks.
“No one so far,” Bobby says slowly, working hard to lookdown the table and not across at Demeroven. “I went out once with Lady Annabeth.”
“Oh, yes, a big accomplishment, seeing as she and Johnson have been courting for a year,” Meredith says.
Bobby only just refrains from elbowing her while Gwen snickers.
“Only Lady Annabeth? Honestly, Robert, you could make more of an effort. You’re a delightful young man.”
“Thank you,” he says, feeling himself blush. “I do think I’ve actually got Demeroven beat, though,” he says, glancing across the table to see Demeroven glaring back. “He’s not been on one outing that I know of.”
“That you know of,” Demeroven repeats, his face unguarded and playful. He’s sitting up straighter too, come to think of it. “But in fact, I think I have found someone special this season.”
Bobby feels his delight turn to lead in his stomach just as Brile and Canton return to remove their soup and replace it with individual roasted quails and tureens of potatoes.
“You haven’t mentioned any outings,” Gwen says, a note of accusation in her voice as she carves her bird with a little too much force.
Bobby picks up his cutlery with numb hands. Has he missed something—something obvious—something that would make the last few weeks more than embarrassing?
