Before he could say Callie’s name, Eldon exclaimed, “Catherine Brooke! Surely that’s you all grown up. I’ve never known anyone else with that shade of red-gold hair.”
“Indeed it is I, Eldon.” She offered a smile and her hand. “I go by my middle name, Callista, these days, but you can call me Catherine if you prefer.”
Eldon took her hand, his eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Maybe now we can learn what happened to you two! Gordon, you just vanished while Francis and I were away at school, and we learned later that Catherine was married off in a suspiciously swift way. Speculation was rampant.”
Thinking his brothers deserved to know, Gordon said, “If you’re asking whether I seduced Callie and got her with child, the answer is no.”
“My father wanted me to marry a much older Jamaican planter and I hated the idea.” Callie took up the story. “Since your brother and I were friends, he gallantly offered to marry me in Gretna Green to protect me from an unwanted husband. But our fathers found out almost immediately and caught up with us. So I married the planter and Gordon was convicted of various crimes and transported, which was horridly unfair.”
“So that’s the story, much less scandalous than it might have been,” Gordon finished. He accepted a glass of sherry from Francis, who’d poured for the two newcomers. “What have you two been up to?”
“Let’s discuss the last fifteen years of history over dinner,” Eldon suggested. “The servants have had time to add two more place settings by now, and I’m sure our discussion will be a long one, so we might as well eat!”
They moved into the adjoining family dining room, which gave Gordon the chance to abandon his sherry, of which he was not overly fond, though he’d appreciated Francis’s courtesy. He’d been a nice little boy, and now he seemed a nice young man.
Gordon was briefly disconcerted when he was automatically seated at the head of the table. How could he be head of a family when he’d never felt he was part of it in the first place? But that might be changing, which was a warming thought.
After the four of them took seats around one end of the long table, Gordon said bluntly, “Eldon, for the last fortnight or so, you’ve been thinking you’re likely the next marquess. How do you feel about my unexpected reappearance?”
“The younger Mr. Roberts explained that there was reason to believe you were alive, so I wasn’t totally surprised at your return.” Eldon looked thoughtful. “I had mixed feelings about inheriting. As a fourth son, I never expected it, but yes, I was becoming accustomed to the idea of the title and wealth. Yet here you are.” He smiled mischievously. “To make up for my blasted hopes, you can increase my allowance!”
They all laughed. Gordon was glad that his brother didn’t seem resentful. “I will review the allowances,” he promised. “Do you have any goals in mind? Have you busied yourself with any particular pursuits over the years?”
“I’ve mostly lived in London enjoying the life of a young English gentleman, but lately I’ve been thinking it’s time for a change,” Eldon said seriously. “I’m considering politics. The Kingston estate controls several parliamentary seats, and I’d like the next one that becomes available. It’s time to establish myself as a man of substance.”
Gordon was glad to hear that Eldon had goals beyond frivolity. “You’ve always had a quick mind and a quick tongue. I think you’d make a good MP.”
Eldon nodded, looking pleased. Gordon turned his attention to his youngest brother, bemused to find himself acting so much like the head of the family. “Francis, how do you spend your time? Have you also been enjoying the life of a gentleman of leisure in London?”
“Not at all! After attending Cambridge, I’ve become the assistant estate manager,” Francis said. “The current manager, Martin—you must remember him—is getting along in years. The plan is for me to replace him when he’s ready to step down.”
“Do you enjoy the work?” Callie asked with interest.
“I do!” Francis said enthusiastically. “There are so many new developments in both agriculture and mining. For example . . .”
Eldon cut his brother off with a drawled, “As interesting as breeding programs are, that’s more detail than we need on a night when we’re catching up with each other’s news.”
Francis smiled apologetically. “Sorry, I tend to be more of a farmer than the son of a marquess should be! But if you’re interested, I’ll be happy to talk your ears off later.” His expression turned wary. “I have an understanding with a young lady who lives nearby. I hope you’ll approve of our marriage.”
Gordon’s brows arched. “Why wouldn’t I? You’re the one who will be living with her, so the choice should be yours.”
“Neither Father nor Welham approved.” Francis looked defensive. “Julie’s parents are yeoman farmers, not aristocrats, but they’re generous, hardworking people. I’ve learned a great deal about practical farming from Mr. Frane.”
From the tone of his brother’s voice, Gordon guessed that the Franes had been a warmer and more welcoming family than the Audleys. Perhaps hearing the same thing, Callie said warmly, “I’d love to meet your Julie. We can call on her family, or perhaps she and her mother can join us here for tea soon.”
Francis’s eyes widened. “She . . . we would both like that very much!”
As the first course of the meal was removed and the second course served, Gordon sipped at his wine and commented, “When we drove into the valley, I saw that the coal seam fires have expanded. The smell of them is all through the house.”
“It’s not always this bad,” Francis said apologetically. “Only when the wind is from the west.”
Which it usually was if Gordon remembered correctly. “Are the fires undermining the house? Maybe it’s time to abandon Kingston Court for a healthier site.”
Francis looked appalled. “But the history, Gordon! The oldest section is over six hundred years old!”
“And every day of that is felt in the lack of comforts,” Gordon said dryly. “I’ll let you have the master’s rooms, which I recall as cold and drafty.”
“But very grand.” Eldon chuckled. “I think you’re stuck there since the servants are surely preparing those rooms now for the new lord and lady.”
