“Which has progressed to the point of poles to mark the perimeter, I see,” Andrew said, amusement in his voice. “At this rate, it will be years before the thing is finished, and the bride it is meant to honour will be a fat matron looking forward to launching her daughter into society.”
“Then she will still have years to enjoy it. No, I estimate two years, at most, although the finishing touches to the interior might take a little longer.”
“What do you see as the finishing touches?”
“I should like to have the gallery ceiling painted, like some of the rooms in the main house. But it will depend upon finding the right artist.”
“And the duke agreeing, of course.”
“That too,” Simon said, with a rumble of laughter.
“What are these drawings here? This is not the orangery.”
“Those are for the book. Richard Merrington is the creator of a book of cottages of various designs, with full costings. We are collaborating on a similar volume featuring larger houses. I design the houses, and he does the costings. He is something of a genius in that way. Most architects never do more than guess at a final price, and naturally there are always unforeseen problems, but he counts bricks and lengths of wood and marble tiles, and then prices everything up. It is quite amazing.”
“That reminds me,” Andrew said, helping himself to a glass of wine, and pouring one for Simon, too. “I called on your friend Thwaite and took him to the club — had him round for dinner, once, too. Introduced him to one or two people, so I think he will get his elevation in time. At least I hope I have reassured himthat I am not like my father, and would not dream of standing in his way if it should happen.”
“I am glad of it,” Simon said. “I hope he gets what he wants.”
“As to that, what he wants just at the moment is for you to build him a house.”
Simon almost choked on his claret. “He plans to do it at last?”
“He does. He said to tell you that he wants the first one you designed, with the extra wings, and he has bought that land you recommended in Hertfordshire and how soon can you start? I had to tell him very gently that you are already fully engaged here for the foreseeable future. He said he will wait.”
“Oh, I can manage two projects at once,” Simon said airily. “The builder will be here next month and once that is underway, Merrington will be able to supervise while I go to Hertfordshire. Well! The first design, eh? That was the good one, of course. I shall enjoy building that, and his purse can stand it. He is a very warm man.”
“A very honest one, too,” Andrew said. “He freely confessed to his own cowardice — his word, not mine — in allowing himself to be browbeaten by Father. He wishes he had had the courage to stand up to him. I can hardly blame him for that, since I never had any courage in that line myself. Unlike you.”
Simon shrugged. “In my case, it was more stupidity than courage. I wanted to be an architect, I had Juliet to fall back on for support, so I simply left. I had this curious idea that once I was gone, I would be beyond his reach, but I underestimated his vindictiveness against those who thwarted him. You were right not to defy him openly, I think. By doing that, you protected Lavinia and your children from his wrath, and possibly kept him from worse retaliation against all of us. Besides, your form of defiance was ingenious. You and Luke between you outwitted him comprehensively. Do not denigrate yourself, brother. It tookthe utmost courage to stay at Edlesborough year after year under his malevolent eye.”
“Perhaps so, although it did not feel like courage. Every morning I woke shaking and feeling ill, knowing I had to face him. Even now, three months after he died, I still feel queer at first. It is not until I sit down to breakfast and face his empty chair that I can begin to feel comfortable again. I will recover fully, in time, but he has been a dark shadow over my whole life.”
“You are looking better,” Simon said. “You looked so thin and wasted, I thought you were ill, but you have begun to put on weight again.”
Andrew laughed. “Lavinia has been feeding me up, and of course we can put anything on the table now, even the foods that Father was forbidden. So many treats we can now enjoy! But let us not spoil the day by talking any more abouthim.This is a happy time. We have missed the baptism, I assume, but we are in time for the ball and, of course, your wedding. I shall be delighted to stand up for you on the day, brother.”
“I hope you will do so before then. Sophia will be opening the ball tonight, but I cannot dance a single step. Will you lead her out?”
“You cannot dance at all? Heavens, that needs to be corrected. Your lady loves to dance, and a husband with two left feet cannot be tolerated. I am astonished that she does not throw you over for some more light-footed fellow.”
“She has promised to teach me, but her efforts so far have not been crowned with success. Will you do it? She will not stand up with her brother, and it ought to be someone of rank, but I do not like to call upon the duke. He is very fit for his age but leading a country dance is probably asking too much of him.”
Andrew chuckled. “Even now, his courtly manner of walking suggests that he was a most elegant dancer in his day. He would have executed a wonderful minuet. However, a boisterouscountry dance would be too much for a gentleman of his age. I can only hope it will not be too much for me. I shall be delighted to attempt it. This is excellent claret, brother. I might ask for some to be sent up to my room, to fortify me in preparation for the ball.”
“Do you need fortifying against one dance with Sophia?” Simon said, amused.
“No, against the three, at least, that Lavinia will insist upon. I can usually get away with just one dance, and then retreat hastily to the card room, but I suspect tonight will be different. Perhaps I should sprain my ankle when I dance with Sophia, eh?”
“Do you think Lavinia would believe you?”
“No. Women, Simon! Devious, manipulative little creatures, who know just how to get a man to do precisely what they want. You should run a mile before tying yourself to one. It is not too late.”
Simon smiled. “Oh, brother, it is far, far too late for me. I was lost a long time ago, and I would not change a thing.”
“Then I drink to your good lady, and a lifetime of happiness,” Andrew said, raising his glass.
It was a toast Simon could heartily endorse.
