“Brother, you have the lion’s share of responsibility. I can leave easier than you. Our estate is small in comparison. Thanking our birth order for that right now.”
“True. Happy to accommodate your needs, little brother.” Oliver laughed.
“Besides all of the other things, there is deciding who is to be invited to the engagement ball, to the small dinner parties before the wedding. Then there is the first ball as a married couplebefore we can be rid of the rest of the world and be ourselves. Alone.”
“Surely the first ball comes after the honeymoon.”
“Yes, thankfully.”
Oliver handed the crystal glass with a good bit of whiskey inside to his brother as he continued to bemoan his fate.
“Well then don’t marry her and be done with the whole affair.”
The heavy glass landed with considerable force on the side table. “What?”
“It would solve these problems.”
“And create a hell of a lot more. It’s the noise before the vows that I don’t like. I simply want to marry my love and take her to bed.”
Oliver barked his laugh. “I’m sure that will happen.”
“Yes. I imagine it will, eventually.”
“In fact, it might lessen your tension if you married her in secret then take her to bed you will have avoided the public spectacle.”
“Rowena and her mother would not allow it. Especially her mother. My fate is sealed. Now, who is in your crosshairs?”
“No one.”
“Come on, Oliver. You have to have your eye on at least one.”
“I’ve been too busy. It will happen at some point. Right now, I am knee deep into father’s affairs and making them my own. Tell me,” said Walter after taking a sip of his whiskey, “what do you know about this girl father agreed to guardian? Now I am on the hook if she is left alone to manage her estate before she is twenty-five years old.”
“Really? All I remember is what I overheard him say once to mother. He thought she a bonny child with little male oversight. He would have liked to have taken her home if her grandmothers had allowed it. But they doted on her. He said she was a bitheadstrong but that it would serve her well when she was left to do as she pleases.”
Oliver nodded. “He must have been taken with her. Twelve when she lost her mother, I hear. Well, he made sure that her care was part of his will should she need the protection. I now have the dubious task of watching over her if the situation should arise.”
“She might have turned into quite a beauty.”
“Yes, she might have, but I do not need a headstrong woman in my life. I have Mother.”
“But a woman who doesn’t hang on your every breath would be a relief, I would think. You are an extremely wealthy, sought-after husband, so Mother tells me,” Walter teased. “You can’t have a sniveling goodie as your wife. No vice will be allowed without torment.”
“I am lord of my own home and will do as I choose,” said Oliver.
Walter laughed. “If you think your wife won’t have you wrapped around her little finger, you have no clear idea about love. I cherish the moment you fall.”
“I don’t have to love the woman I marry.”
“I promise you, it is a windfall if you do,” said Walter. “Mark my words. You will want to love or have a deep affection for your spouse.”
“We shall see.”
“Indeed.”
Chapter Three
Lilli stood at the entrance to the drawing room and stared at the strong back of the gentleman sitting across from her grandmother. He seemed sturdy enough. Tall with pleasantly dark hair that held a light wave that ended in curls over his cravat, giving him character. He sat straight and rather relaxed. She wished she could examine his face before actually meeting him, but it wasn’t to be.
