Ollie’s gaze snapped back to George. “Caldwell?”
Absurdly, George felt himself flush, as though he had any obligation to explain himself. Annoyed, he ignored Ollie’s question and smiled at the footman, saying, “Please show Mr. Caldwell in.”
Ollie looked dumbfounded. “What on earth is he doing here? You don’t even like each other. He used to despise you at school!”
An unfamiliar pang of irritation flared in George’s chest. Why did Ollie always seem to feel the need to point out how little George had been liked by others? Did he really think George wanted to be constantly reminded?
“He invited me to climb a mountain with him.”
“A mountain?” Ollie’s eyebrows drew together in confusion.
“Yes,” George replied airily. “In Wales.”
“Wales?” Ollie appeared baffled by this news. Thankfully, George was spared from having to explain further when Theo strode into the dining room, full of energy and purpose.
“Good morning, George,” he said cheerfully. “Are you ready to—” And then he broke off, spotting Ollie sitting on the other side of the table. His smile vanished. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be swiving your new wife?”
“Theo—” George said, a faint note of rebuke in his tone, though it struck him as a fair question.
“Sorry,” Theo said, directing the word at George rather than Ollie, and not looking the least bit apologetic.
“I might as well ask what you’re doing here,” Ollie replied, glaring at Theo. “Since when were you friends with George?”
George felt a swell of anger at Ollie’s sudden use of his given name. He’d been Sherry until Theo had turned up.
Theo laughed at Ollie’s angry expression. “We’ve been friends for years, Fletch. George and I have known each other since we were boys!”
“Yes, and from what I recall, you spent most of that time tormenting him,” Ollie snapped.
“Stop exaggerating, Ollie,” George said quietly.
There was a long moment of awkward silence; then Theo sighed. “I did torment you sometimes,” he said heavily, turning a regretful gaze on George. “I’m very sorry for it now.”
This was not something George wanted to talk about, not with Ollie standing there, listening. Waving a hand, he muttered, “It was a long time ago, and you already apologised.”
Ollie made a disgusted noise. “Why are you letting him get away with it?”
By now George was truly mortified. “Leave this alone,” he said tightly. “Please.”
“Fine,” Ollie said, pressing his lips together, but his gaze was all impotent fury.
After a few moments of tense silence, Theo cleared his throat and said, “We really should be getting on our way now, George. We need to collect the horses.”
George glanced at the clock. If he’d changed his mind about going away with Theo, he had to say so now. But, if he did that, Ollie would take it as a win, and Theo would have to walk out of this room alone.
For some reason, George couldn’t bear that idea.
He turned to Ollie. “I’m terribly sorry, but we really do need to be getting on our way.”
Ollie’s expression was all hurt betrayal. “Are you saying you want me to leave, George?” He shook his head in disbelief. “I only just got here.”
“Yes, well, Theo and I made our arrangements yesterday evening,” George pointed out, mildly. “And I didn’t know you intended to call on me this morning.”
Ollie gave a shocked laugh. “Theo, is it?”
George flushed self-consciously, but he pressed his lips together. What was wrong with him using Theo’s given name? They’d all called each other by their given names when they were boys, and really, what had changed since then? He glanced at Theo, who was studying his fingernails, a bored expression on his face. Somehow the sight fortified him.
Ollie stood abruptly, drawing George’s attention back to him. “I’ll be on my way, then,” he said, his tone clipped. “I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you and Caldwell.”
