“Sorry, milord. Would you like some food?”
Beau felt distinctly uneasy. “Brandy, I think. I’ll wait for food until Drake gets here.”
Beau accepted his drink and wandered over to the betting book, just for something to do. It was obvious that word of his marriage had preceded him. There were already bets on how long he’d remained married, how long before he set up a mistress, and how long before Pip did him an injury. Pip’s name wasn’t used, of course. Justa petite blonde elfin figure.For a moment Beau was tempted to put in his own bet. How long before Pip did injury to the person who had labeled her thus if she ever found out about it. He almost couldn’t wait to find out.
“Well, my lad, so you’ve returned from the hinterlands.”
Beau whipped around to see Kit Braxton approach. Tall, trim, tidy in a post-military way, Kit had a smile for him and his left hand outstretched. His right hand was missing, his empty sleeve tucked up to his shoulder. Beau gladly took his hand.
“A little thin of company today.”
Kit nodded. “My thoughts exactly. Drake said he would meet me here, but I’ve been cooling my heels with some recent Cambridge graduates.” Shaking his head, he grinned. “Is it me, or does every one of them seem like an unlicked cub?”
Beau matched his smile. “We do have mileage on us, old son. Share some brandy?”
“An excellent idea. And you can tell me all about that house party you were at….oh, yes. And the marriage you got yourself mixed up in. Some would say it’s a bit soon to be escaping to the club.”
“Pip had to go to Delamere, so I’m holing up here for a bit. You haven’t seen anybody? Knight? Hilliard? Chuffy?”
“Just got in from the hinterlands myself.”
They had just dealt the cards for whist, half-filled glasses of brandy at their elbows, when the note came, and they were forced to leave everything behind.
* * *
To Pip’s surprise,when she reached her family’s London house at mid-afternoon it was to find that she wouldn’t have to remove dust covers after all. The house was staffed, clean and, evidently, occupied.
“Miss Pip,” the butler greeted her with a solemn face and a bow. But then, for Soames that was his expression of delight.
Pip untied her bonnet. “I did not expect you here, Soames. I was all prepared to set the house to rights so I could hide here for a few days.”
“Your father and brother just arrived back, miss, although they are out for the moment.” He accepted her outerwear and gave Joyful her own nod before turning back to Pip. “Your father looks that much better.”
Pip stopped in place. “Better? Better how, Soames?”
His face went very still. Pip felt her stomach drop.
“Better how?” she repeated.
He took a breath. “Sweet would know more about it, miss. Should I get him?”
“Not until you answer my question. Better how? And where is he right now?”
The poor man looked like he wanted to dig a hole in the oak flooring and climb in.
“Miss…”
She just stood there.
“His heart, miss. He had an episode, which is why he came home from St. Petersburg
without her ladyship. Although she just got here as well.” Which seemed to distress him most of all. “That will be a reunion I’d like to see for sure.”
Pip looked around. “My mother is here?”
“Nothereprecisely, miss.”
Pip couldn’t remember the last time she had lost patience with Soames. He was a very proper butler, but one who always anticipated every need and eased every way. Except now.
