“You just described them as lazy and slothful.”
“Which is what they are.I do not think Harold, Neddy, or Barton had the brains to devise plots intricate enough to do away with each heir down the line and have no one suspect a thing.No, dear boy.You are dealing with idiots here.But that does not mean you can dismiss them.After all, they only need to hire someone clever enough to do the job they cannot do for themselves.So, give them an allowance, but just enough to meet their needs and no more.It would be the height of irony if they usedyourfunds to hire someone to doyouin.”
“All right.I’ll see what our grandfather was providing them by way of monthly allowance and match it.”
“You are a sharp-eyed fellow.I have no doubt you’ll be able to spot trouble before it arises and do all in your power to avert it.”
“Perhaps, but can Tulip?I won’t be with her at all times.She’ll want to visit her friends and family in Burnham, and I have no intention of denying her that pleasure.”
“Stay close to her as much as you can, at least for now.”
He laughed with little mirth.“If she can stand to be around me.”
“She will.Trust me when I say she likes you.She would not have agreed to marry you if she did not believe in her heart that love could flourish between you.”
On that encouraging note, Alex left Lady Withnall and returned to his apartment in Bloomsbury.
He was surprised to see his friend, Julius Thorne, waiting at his door.
They exchanged friendly greetings.
“What brings you here, Julius?”
“My brothers and I received Sophie Farthingale’s note inviting us to your wedding.Adela,” he said, referring to Ambrose’s wife, “and Gory immediately got on me to make certain you are properly outfitted for your wedding day.”
He groaned.“I’m sure I have something suitable to wear.”
“No, you do not.So you must come with me to Savile Row because there is not a moment to waste.”
“Bollocks.Is this a jest?”
“Afraid not,” Julius replied, his expression one of determination.“The wives have said you require proper garb and I have been tasked with enforcing their wishes.By the way, this is a lesson I am certain you will learn soon enough.When your wife insists on something, just go with it.You will be happier in the long run.”
Alex had his doubts.“You let your wife set the rules?”
“No, we agree on them together.But Gory rarely asks anything special of me.So when she does, I know it is important to her and have no problem accepting to do whatever she needs of me.See?This is how a good marriage works.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”He shook his head and laughed in disbelief.
“Seriously, Davenport.Just think about it and you will see that I am right.”
Well, his friend was no fool.
Nor was Julius the sort to be led about by the nose.
“Very, well.I appreciate the advice.Tulip and I obviously have a lot to work out, and I would hate to start off on the wrong foot with her.I have been on my own for too long and have no idea how a proper marriage works.”
“Tulip comes from one of the best families.She’ll teach you, and will appreciate your honesty in requesting her help.Just don’t be a stubborn arse and resist what she is telling you.She isn’t the sort to turn you into a puppet to appease her whims.If anything, she will go out of her way to sacrifice for you.”
Alex merely nodded, preferring to say nothing.
This would be something new for him, for he had turned very much into a lone wolf in all aspects of his life, both personal and professional.
Having Tulip as a partner in marriage might take serious adjustment.
And here was his first test, acquiring wedding attire befitting a duke.
Spending the remainder of the afternoon being measured and pinned by one of London’s finest tailors was not what Alex had planned, but there was little else he needed to do today now that the important matters, the letter of intent and the marriage license, were out of the way.
