“Yes, I’m aware and very thankful as a second son to have a title, however, if we consider Pere—”
“She will have her debut, of course!This entire ball is in her honor; one little whisper of your brother’s intentions to find a wife will do nothing but benefit her.”
“I’m standing right here,” Pere all but shouted.
“I know, dear.”Lady Devon didn’t even cast a glance toward her daughter.
Pere turned to Henley, eyes pleading.
He stepped forward.“Mother, certainly we don’t need to announce anything—”
“Oh, heavens no.It’ll be far more delicious if we let the news circulate in whispers… yes, I believe that’s best.I’ll tell the servants, then take a carriage to Bond Street and spread the word among a select few.Pere, be a dear and ring for a footman?I need the carriage readied immediately.”
She turned to her sons.“And you will not leave this house.Your evening kit is upstairs.”
“I have bachelor lodgings—” Edwin began.
“As do I…” Henley started.
“I don’t trust you to leave in time.You’ll change here.”
Henley watched as Edwin bowed.“Yes, Mother.”
“And, darling, this will be a boon for you.Chin up.”She tapped Pere’s chin and swept from the room.
“You,” Pere said, turning to Edwin and jabbing a finger at his chest.“What in heaven and earth are you thinking?”
Henley stepped back, watching the storm.
Edwin looked down at her finger, then batted it away.“This will help you, Pere.”
“Tonight is about me.Or it should be.This is my season, my debut.Not a convenient backdrop for your dramatic announcements.”
“I’m not trying to steal the spotlight.”
“No, just hijack it for your benefit.”
“Exactly.”
Pere blinked.“And you don’t see why that might frustrate me?”
Edwin bent to smell a bouquet.“Did Mother buy all the roses in London?”
“In her wisdom, she left a few.Apparently for such a prophetic need.”
Edwin nodded.
“Are you going to answer my question?”Pere’s voice rose.
He frowned.“What question?”
Pere growled, turned to Henley.“You.Fix this.”She gestured between herself and Edwin.“No blood on the floor, no visible bruises.”She huffed, glared at Edwin, and stormed out.
“Violent little thing, isn’t she?”Edwin said.“But it’s for the best.Greater good and all.Isn’t that what Mother said?”
Henley watched his brother’s smug expression and considered how easily his evening kit could conceal bruises.But after a moment’s deliberation, he relaxed.
“I’m not sure Pere feels the same.No, scratch that—Pere absolutely does not feel the same.”
