“As you should, my lord.” Digby offered a sea sponge. “As far as your cousin and her husband. They’ll answer for it someday. Whether in this life or whatever comes after.”
James took the sponge, smiling at the memory of the frequent scoldings he’d gotten from the governess. “When I was a boy—before we were sent away—I was always getting a tongue lashing for being dirty. They couldn’t keep me from playing outside in the mud and dirt.”
“A boy should have that freedom.”
James chuckled. “Our governess did not agree. But Papa did. He didn’t mind that I would rather be outside than inside sitting quietly with a book.”
“Do you have many memories of him?”
“Yes, quite a few. Which is surprising given how young I was when they took him from us. He was an unusual man for his time and station in life. He spent a lot of time with his children. We were quite attached to him.”
“I hope soon this house will be filled with the sounds of childrenplaying, both inside and out.”
He glanced up at Digby as a strange sensation came to his belly. Children. Laughter. Love.
Suddenly, he knew with certainty that he wanted that. He had been mistaken when he told Georgie he could not imagine a scenario in which he would marry and have a family.
There was one sole reason for that. Georgie. He could imagine it with her. He wasn’t sure when it had happened, but his desires for the future and his belief that good things would come to him had shifted.
He wanted it with her. But would she ever consider such a prospect? He would do his best to win her heart. Yes, just like that, he understood his purpose going forward. It was to win Georgina Fairfax’s heart and hand.
*
Twenty minutes later,James sat in his robe before the hearth while Digby moved through the bedchamber.
“Tell me, Digby, do you find it tedious?” James asked. “Dressing a man? Taking care of his boots?”
Digby’s hands stilled for a moment. When he looked up, his gaze was steady, loyal. “My lord, I consider myself a lucky man to have acquired such a position. There is no such thing as tedious work if one approaches it as both important and artful.”
“Important and artful. I like that idea very much.”
“I understand this is a period of adjustment for you.” Digby’s voice held no judgment, only understanding. “It’s my privilege to serve you however you need.”
Moved by his words, James fought against the sting behind his eyes. “It does not bother you that I’m a little rough?”
Digby folded a pressed cravat with deliberate care. “Not at all. In fact, it makes me feel proud to help you. Even if you do not yet feel agentleman, you will very soon.”
“You have a momentous task ahead of you,” James said, chuckling. “To make me appear a gentleman will take more than a new wardrobe.”
“I’ll not let you stumble, my lord.”
“Digby, may I share a concern with you?”
Digby glanced up from brushing James’s coat. “Indeed, my lord.”
James ran a hand through his still damp hair. “The Season will soon be upon us and I find myself woefully unprepared. I do not know the rules of Society. I’ve not been trained to be a gentleman. I am sure there are whispers still about my family. Everyone will be watching me, out of curiosity and perhaps malice too. People love to see a man fail.”
“And why does their opinion matter? You have wealth and power now.”
“Normally, I would not care. I’m still a rogue, under all the finery. But it’s not just me at stake.” James’s voice grew tight. “Cecily needs to make a good match. She’s beautiful and clever, but if I embarrass her, it would lead to trouble. I’m sponsoring her, so I must present well.” He halted, then forced himself to continue. “And there’s someone else I care about. Someone whose reputation could be damaged by association with me.”
Digby set down the brush, giving James his full attention. “Mrs. Fairfax?”
Heat crept up James’s neck. “Is it so obvious?”
“Not to all, but I pay particular notice to everything you do and say.” Digby’s mouth quirked slightly. “She seems a woman of considerable sense.”
“She is. Which is exactly why I can’t afford to make a fool of myself. One wrong step, one moment where I look like the uncouth devil I am, and I’ll have ruined everything for them.” James’s hands clenched on the arms of his chair. “Most concerning? I don’t knowhow to dance properly. I’ll be expected to lead ladies through the quadrille, the waltz—God help me—and I’ll likely step on their feet or miss the timing entirely.” James dropped his head into his hands. “Can you imagine? The gossips will have a field day. ‘Lord Ashford, returned from exile, still can’t manage a simple country dance.’ They’ll tear me apart, and by extension, they’ll destroy Cecily’s prospects.” And possibly drive Georgie away.
