“I hadn’t expected an announcement until the end of the house party. What made the lady change her mind?” Sebastian wondered, above all, why his uncle would feel rushed now when he hadn’t felt rushed to the altar in all the years preceding this engagement.
George laughed. “Sometimes, you will learn, such decisions must be made for the weaker sex.” He removed a flask from his jacket and turned to stroll away from where the women sat. After taking a long drink from it, he said, “I sensed that Lady Asherton was having a change of heart and I could not afford that.”
Sebastian refused a drink when George offered it to him. “How so?”
George didn’t answer as they meandered farther away from the other guests. “I’ll be honest with you in hopes that you can learn from my mistake.” He stuffed the flask back into his jacket. “I made a few unfortunate investments last spring… in addition to some poor wagers. If I’m to continue my life in the manner I’ve grown accustomed, I’ve need of additional funds.”
Sebastian ought not to be surprised by this information. From the moment his mother had informed him of his uncle’s desire to marry, he’d considered the possibility. Why, he’d wondered, would George Kirkley sacrifice his bachelorhood now when he’d shown no inclination ever before? Money had been the most logical answer. Sebastian hadn’t considered it problematic before when he’d contemplated George’s prospective bride in the abstract. But then he’d met Margaret. And he’d met her under the most unusual circumstances.
For some odd reason, he’d believed George’s cock and bull story about wanting comfort in his old age. He ought to have realized there was more to it.
“She’s a widow, though. Would you not wish to marry some chit with a dowry?”
“Not at all, my boy. In fact, marrying Lady Asherton presents a far better prospect for a man like me,”
Sebastian was feeling slightly ill at what his uncle was saying. Of course, Margaret’s husband had left her with a small fortune. There would be no contracts, no trusts. Upon their marriage, all of Margaret’s wealth would transfer directly to her husband.
“Her townhouse is located less than a hundred yards from Hyde Park. Exclusive location. The sale of it alone will provide me with a rather healthy income for five, ten years, by itself.” And then he waggled his eyebrows. “Provided I invest more wisely in the future. But even so, I’m certain she has other assets I can draw upon, if necessary.”
“And she is amenable to selling it?”
George laughed. “She’ll be safely ensconced in the country. She wants a child with me, can you imagine that? Once I’ve knocked her up, she’ll be more than happy living at Cragg House, raising the child.”
“She’s agreed to this?” Sebastian clenched his fists at his sides. This man was his mother’s brother. A person he’d looked upon with indulgent affection for as long as he could remember.
He was ashamed at the realization that had he not met Margaret, he might have found this distasteful but also somewhat amusing.
But he had met her, and it wasn’t amusing at all.
“Indeed. And she is anxious that we return to London so that we can marry before the holidays. She’s rather long in the tooth, you’ll agree. Thirty years old! I never pictured myself marryinganyone, let alone a woman in her fourth decade.”
“So, all of this business about comfort in your old age…?”
“Claptrap.” George guffawed. “It’s all on the up and up, though, you know. She’s not under any illusions that I love her, nor am I worried that she feels anything for me. She has something I want, and I have something she needs. A tidy transaction if I say so myself.”
Sebastian frowned. It was difficult to imagine the woman he’d spent the last few days being content to live the remainder of her life at Cragg House. “You will set up your nursery at last.”
George shrugged. “I’ll make a valiant effort. If it doesn’t happen immediately, it’s no tragedy.” And then he turned to stare back at where Maggie was carrying a tiny little girl around in her arms, laughing as the child tugged at her hair.
“Best keep her happy for now, however. Put in a good word for me here and there, if you don’t mind. Your favorite uncle’s livelihood depends upon it.” And then he rubbed at his chin. “I suppose I ought to do some more wooing now, show her how much I love children.”
Sebastian watched his uncle amble across the grass with a sinking feeling in his gut.
Margaret had consented to marry George. She was not being forced into anything. He watched as his uncle cooed at one of Danbury’s infants. Surely, she was not fool enough to believe his uncle’s act?
Sebastian could say nothing. A man did not betray his family simply because he found a particular lady to be enchanting. Most certainly not when that particular lady was to wed his uncle.
Danbury caught Sebastian’s eye and strolled in his direction in a leisurely fashion. “I openly admit that I had an unfair advantage during the race,” he confessed magnanimously as he closed the gap between them.
“Anyone with Lady Danbury on their team would have an unfair advantage,” Sebastian agreed. The competition itself had been quite invigorating, if only he’d not been required to return for his teammate’s glove. “Dashed fun little vessels, though. I imagine you had quite the time with them as a boy.”
Danbury stared out at the lake. “We did indeed. And up until I reached the age of eleven, I lost most races to my older sister.” He turned back toward Sebastian. “Speaking of vessels. How is that ship of yours coming along?”
The mention of her turned Sebastian’s mood immediately. “She could be ready for her maiden voyage as early as Christmas, but I’m considering a few design changes. Have you heard of theS.S. Savannah?”
“I believe Penelope mentioned something about it. A ship powered with steam? Crossed from America about five or six years ago?”
Sebastian nodded. “Incredible potential. Both sail and steam keep it moving steadily at about ten knots. In addition to the improved speeds, the captain can rely on the engine when there isn’t any wind. It has flaws, however. The engine takes up too much of the cargo space, not to mention the coal and wood required for fuel. And the propellers must be lifted when the ship encounters a storm. Such a design might serve my purposes well, however. I’m to meet with an engineer when I return to London.”
