“Dream bigger than our parents ever did,” Beth adds.
James feels himself smile. “I’ll cheers to that,” he says, raising his teacup. Beth smiles and does the same. They each take a sip and Beth considers him for another moment before returning to her book, that smile still wide on her face, a little knowing.
And finally, he feels true hunger, and tucks into his breakfast.
Chapter Twenty-One
Bobby
“The entire chandelier came down,” Lady Harrington says.
They all gape at her, gathered around the card table in the sitting room. Beth, Gwen, and Meredith have made a team of three, with Albie and Lady Harrington, and Bobby and James paired up in what has become a truly competitive game of whist.
“Was anyone hurt?” Beth asks as Lady Harrington takes the latest trick.
“No, but Mr.Pinches’ father did have to pay for the chandelier and about seven ladies’ gowns, since it came down on the drinks table and sent wine flying everywhere. Your father wasn’t allowed out for two weeks after that,” Lady Harrington tells Meredith.
“As I recall, he got his revenge by convincing five of his school friends to sneak in, steal Mr.Pinches out of his bed, and float him into the lake in the park on a skiff,” Meredith says, playing her ace to take the next trick.
“And he stayed asleep the whole time?” Bobby asks.
“Well, Lord Harrington may have paid a valet to get him drunk,” Lady Harrington says with an innocent shrug. “Honestly, it’s a wonder we ever got married.”
“It did take another season for Father to prove himself to Grandfather after that,” Meredith says.
“It’s a good thing they were a few years ahead of my father. Itwould have been chaos,” Gwen says, clearly intentionally losing a few low hearts as they go around the table.
“Absolutely,” Beth agrees.
“Oh, like your mother wouldn’t have helped,” Gwen says.
“Lady Havenfort wouldn’t have gone that far,” James says. All six of them stare incredulously back at him. “Would she?”
“Assume that your aunt has the schemes of Gwen, the calculation of Beth, and every mad impulse of Uncle Dashiell. She just hides them better than we ever could,” Albie says.
“Oh, dear,” James mutters. He glances across at Bobby and plays his ten of hearts.
Bobby nudges his leg beneath the table in understanding. It’s shameful, actually, that they’re cheating and still getting beaten. Because of course after Bobby plays his king, Albie has the ace, and takes the trick, winning the round.
Bobby leans back in defeat. “Lady Harrington, is there any mischief you and your husband didn’t get up to during the season?” Lady Harrington fixes him with the most sardonic look he’s ever received, and he flushes up to his ears. “In terms of pranks, of course.”
“I never played any pranks,” she says slowly.
“You gave Father all the ideas!” Meredith says.
Gwen and Beth cackle and Lady Harrington shrugs, taking a large sip of her wine. “Maybe,” she admits.
James snorts and then Bobby finds himself perfectly upright as James’ foot makes its way up his ankle.
“Final round,” Albie says, taking his turn to deal out the table. “You’d have to win... oh, every trick to overtake us,” he tells Bobby and James. “And you three are simply playing for pride,” he tells the girls.
“Or we’ll just be trying to ensure you get no tricks at all,” Meredith says.
Bobby watches his brother try to look competitively at his wife and completely fail. He’s just too besotted, and something else behind his eyes Bobby can’t name. At least not with James’ foot trailing against the most sensitive part of his calf.
He needs to concentrate. He kicks James lightly, raising his eyebrows. James sits up straight. Albie looks between them and Bobby gives him an innocent smile.
Albie shakes his head and turns the trump. “Diamonds, everyone.”
