I took another delicious bite. “You are insufferable.”
“And you are nothing short of a delight.”
I didn’t need to hear the mocking to know the fallacy of that statement. A prime sentiment in my household as well, if last night was anything to go by.
“How long have you been taking care of your brothers?”
A crumb fell to the table and I made a production of clearing it away. The topic change wasn’t as easy to dismiss. “I don’t know of what you speak.”
“Your servants, old and new, were quite forthcoming. As were reports from your creditors.”
How had he gotten his hands on those already? There was little I could do to cover up any type of report or gossip without a penny to my name. I wondered if Noble hadconversedwith Sable again.
My fingers dug into the sides of another piece of bread. “Everything is under control.”
“Yes, your brother Ferris seems to have things in fine control.” He rocked his chair farther back.
I hoped he tipped. “Ferris has had a tough time since our parents died.”
And wasn’t that statement the turnabout of the season? I’d been saying the same as Noble, in much the same sarcastic tone, but it wasdifferentwhen someone else was attacking my brother.
The front legs of his chair hit the wood floor. “I don’t see you breaking down and drinking yourself into a stupor.” His voice was mild as he lifted a slice.
“I don’t have the same pressures as Ferris.”
Something inside me sobbed at the injustice—one I was placing upon myself. I had the exact same pressures. In fact, sometimes I thought mine were worse, because as a member of the family not yet at the age of majority I could do nothing about any of it directly. Powerless.
I straightened my shoulders. I wouldnotbe powerless.
He eyed me, then finished the buttery slice. “Mmm. You don’t have the same pressures. I see. That’s good to know.”
I nodded tightly, irritated with him and myself.
He watched me for a moment, then cut two more pieces, buttered them and plunked one in front of me and took the other in hand.
“Archibald Penner is a regular pub rat, from what I can tell. And a part-time watchman. Involved in businesses on the east side catered to the working classes. Mainly dress shops, of all things. Vivienne may have gossip concerning him.”
I wondered if he procured information from Vivienne in the same manner as from Sable.
As if on cue, a woman with fuzzy brown hair and kind brown eyes fell through the door, arms full of cloth.
“Master Noble! I came as quickly as I could.”
“It’s not a problem, Vivienne.” His voice was richer and warmer than when he addressed me. He rose to relieve her of her burden.
She thanked him, then bobbed her head at me. “Good morning.”
I murmured a greeting as Noble made the introductions. Vivienne’s face was friendly and open as she made morning chitchat with Noble, but there was still a ratherapparentlook of worship in her eyes. Excellent. Another smitten female.
With Sable, Noble had maintained a removed look, all the more inviting to a woman who thrived on challenge. For Vivienne, he had nothing but friendly smiles.
They transformed his face. Without guile, without sarcasm, his expression opened. I swallowed with difficulty and turned away.
“Are you familiar with an Archibald Penner?” he asked her.
“Mostly pleasant. Likes the shopgirls, but he’s not a bully. Likes his drink, but doesn’t have a reputation as a ruffian. Runthe giggle gambit. Get a girl to titter and simper at him, and he’ll tell you anything.”
“Invaluable as always, Vivienne.”
