James smiled as he rang for tea. “Rose is always curious about people.”
“Especially when it concerns her brother-in-law’s romantic entanglements.”
He shot his brother a look. “Entanglement might be a strongstatement.”
“Whatever you say, little brother.” Sebastian glanced around the townhome’s modest but elegant drawing room. “This isn’t bad, considering your last-minute decision to attend the Season.”
“It’ll do for a few months,” James said. “I’d have liked it to be finer for Cecily’s sake, but it was the best we could do on short notice.”
A maid arrived with tea, giving James a moment to think of how exactly to describe the last few months. After the maid left, James began to tell his brother about Mrs. Fairfax, their deep friendship, her financial difficulties, and her desire to make her late husband’s business a success so that Cecily might have a Season and marry well.
“I felt compelled to help,” he said. “Given our past, I have a soft spot for those needing a second chance.”
“It’s wonderful,” Sebastian said. “You’ll change her life. All of their lives.”
“I hope so.”
“And what of Mrs. Fairfax herself?” Sebastian peered at him with eyes that knew every inch of his brother. They had no secrets. They’d clung to each other and Sophia when they’d been sent to live with the Langstons. It was no use trying to avoid the topic.
“I find myself in the unenviable position of harboring romantic feelings for her.”
“I suspected as much. Why is that unenviable?” Sebastian leaned back in his chair. “Rose and I can attest that friendship is the foundation of every good marriage.”
James ran a hand through his hair. “Because she’s been through enough without adding my complications to her life.”
“I disagree,” Sebastian said firmly. “And so would Rose, if she were here. I suppose you believe you’re not good enough for her.”
James nodded, a lump rising in his throat. His brother knew him too well. “Her first marriage was loveless—romantically speaking, anyway. She deserves so much more than a man with my demons.”
“We’ve heard rumors about Mr. Fairfax,” Sebastian said carefully.
“How?”
“Rose’s lady’s maid, Prudence. She knows everything about everyone, and Rose insisted I ask about the family’s… circumstances.”
James spoke quietly as he told his brother what he knew of Robert’s situation, then his voice hardened as he described Julian Fane. “The blackguard was here when we arrived yesterday. He’s been stalking her for over a year—writing letters, somehow always knowing where she is. He cornered her once, tried to force himself on her.”
Sebastian’s expression darkened. “That’s more than troubling. What are you doing about it?”
“I told her I’d handle it, but I need help. He’ll be at tonight’s ball, probably every social event this Season. I can’t be with her every moment.”
“You won’t have to be alone in this,” Sebastian said. “I’ll help keep watch. We’ll arrange for others we trust to do the same.”
“Rose will be furious she’s missing all the excitement,” Sebastian continued with a slight smile. “She’s already declared that Mrs. Fairfax is family, by the way. I’m to tell you that you’re a fool if you don’t pursue her properly.”
James felt heat creep up his neck. “Rose said that? How did she know?”
“In far more colorful language, actually. She also said, and I quote, ‘Tell James that any woman willing to restore Ashford Manor clearly has excellent judgment and the patience of a saint—exactly what he needs.’ As far as how she knew? You did speak of her quite fondly and very often in your letters over the last few months.”
Despite everything, James found himself smiling. “Yes, perhaps I was a bit effusive.”
“Speaking of tonight, are you prepared for the ball?”
“My new valet, Digby, has been drilling me relentlessly. He evenhired a dancing master—a rather horrible little Frenchman who beat me into submission. Georgie helped by partnering with me for practice.”
Sebastian’s eyebrows rose. “You call her Georgie?”
“It suits her,” James said defensively.
