Axel.
“As will I.”
When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to take his leave until she’d entered the manor, she nodded and rushed past Mr. Nelson, who then quietly closed the door behind her.
The Journey to London
“How do you think Lady Felicity will fare with the ton this spring?“
Greys’ question had Mantis sending him a curious glance. “Why do you ask?”
“No reason. Although, in my opinion, she and Westerley both made a lucky escape.”
Mantis and the Marquess had made their farewells and best wishes to Westerley the night before and departed at dawn. By now, they’d been on the road for at least a few hours. Mantis hoped he wasn’t making a mistake by leaving without going to see her one more time. Although…
He’d promised not to press. Best to leave well enough alone.
In return, she’d assured him she would be in London for the Season.
“But she was in love with him,” Mantis pointed out while feigning disinterest. He had no wish to appear overly concerned with her situation but wanted Greys’ opinion.
“Lady Felicity onlyfanciedherself in love. Free from what has always been a doomed betrothal, she’ll have bachelors throwing themselves at her before the Willoughby’s ball concludes.”
It wasn’t what Mantis wished to hear. Not the part about her only fancying herself in love with Westerley, but the part where numerous gentlemen lined up to secure her affections. Such an unpleasant prospect might complicate his objectives.
“My cousin, Posy, along with my mother’s youngest sister, Violet, and my Great Aunt, Iris, will be staying with me at Knight House this spring,” Greys changed the subject.
“That should be… interesting,” Mantis answered.
“Not too interesting, I hope.”
Mantis vaguely remembered Greys mentioning a guardianship over an orphaned cousin nearly a decade before. The girl must be of marriageable age by now. “You intend for your cousin to make her come-out?”
“Posy loathes the idea. Over Christmas, she wrote begging permission to forgo a season altogether. Unfortunately, Violet insists she make her bow to the queen.”
“Should liven things up for Blackheart.”
Greys waved a hand in the air. “He’s not the one I’m worried about.” He grimaced. “But Posy is, well…”
“An antidote?”
“No. The last time I traveled north, Posy exhibited the makings of a pretty girl, but she’s incredibly naïve. Her reluctance makes me wonder if rather than leave her to my aunt’s mercies, I ought to have sent her to school somewhere—even that Miss Primm’s seminary…”
It wasn’t at all like Greys to second guess himself.
“You were all of what, one and twenty when her parents were killed?”
“Two and twenty.”
“And I imagine your aunts had something to say about her education?”
Greys chuckled. “I all but threw the poor gel into their capable hands. What the hell did I know? Violet isn’t much older than me, but at least she knew something about a young girl’s needs.”
Mantis didn’t comment but instead considered his own maturity—or lack thereof—when he’d achieved his majority. He’d been nowhere near ready to take on such a responsibility, and Greys, the cocksure fellow that he was, likely hadn’t been either.
He’d better be prepared by now in the event that Felicity was carrying.
Mantis flexed his shoulders but couldn’t quite loosen the invisible band squeezing his chest. Would his father be pleased if that was the case?
