“Yes, of course.” He nodded.
She bid both men goodbye and departed with her maid, hoping the viscount’s behavior wasn’t a sign of what was to come.
Chapter Eleven
“Alan, is there a chance you could find a place for Peter in your household when I return to America?” Thomas asked.
They’d enjoyed a family dinner with everyone in fine spirits. Though Thomas treasured the time with family, his thoughts remained on the problem of Peter.
Thomas was losing hope that he’d find the boy’s family. He’d returned from his search late that afternoon more than discouraged. Hiding it from Peter was a challenge as well. But he’d shared his efforts with the boy, along with the plan to hand out flyers.
Together, they had written a description of who they were looking for and why. He’d written a second copy of it and sent it to Frances.
He was touched that she and her friends were concerned enough to think of ways to aid in the search. Whether it would do any good remained to be seen. Thomas was beginning to wonder if the family had returned to Germany. If that were the case, they’d never find them.
The concern had him taking a moment to speak with his brother alone after dinner. Their father had already joined his mother and sister-in-law in the drawing room, leaving Thomas and Alan sitting in the dining room.
He needed to be realistic and make arrangements for the lad just in case, and this seemed like the best solution. At least until Thomas returned from America.
His brother lifted a brow. “You do know you’re driving mother and father crazed with your insistence on finding the boy’s parents?”
“I know.” Thomas sighed, wishing he could explain it so his family would understand. It was one of the reasons he didn’t want to ask his parents to allow Peter to stay. “However, I want to do everything I can to locate them before I leave.”
“Why is it so important to you?” His brother seemed curious rather than disapproving.
“It’s difficult to explain.” Thomas glanced toward the doorway to make certain no one would overhear them. “As odd as it sounds, I suppose it’s connected to my own worth.”
“How?” Alan’s furrowed brow, so much like their father’s, made it clear he didn’t understand.
Thomas forced a smile, deciding it best to make light of it even as he tried to explain. “One day, when I was perhaps two and ten, Grandfather told me that my goal in life was to earn my place in the world. That as a second son, I needed to prove my worth.”
Alan waved a hand in dismissal. “You can’t have taken that seriously. Grandfather was always spouting bits of wisdom he thought we should know.”
“Not to me. That was the one and only piece of advice he told me.” He lifted a shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “I took it seriously. It’s not easy as a second son to know what path to take.”
Alan stared at him in disbelief. “I had no idea you thought that. You have managed life effortlessly from my perspective. I’ve admired everything you’ve done, including joining the Navy and moving to America. Those choices took courage.”
Courage? While Thomas was flattered his brother thought so, he felt as if he were floundering, reaching for one thing after another in an attempt to find his way. To show his worth. Thus far, his efforts had been failures.
“Have you spoken to Father about this?” Alan asked.
“No.” Thomas shook his head. “Nor do I intend to. I’m not certain he’d understand.”
“He might surprise you. I think he’d be honored if you did. I wonder if he heard more than his share of advice from Grandfather as well.”
“Hmm. I will consider it.” Yet the thought of doing so was less than appealing. He didn’t think his father, who had always been confident and secure with his place in the world, would understand Thomas’s search for purpose and self-worth.
“So you feel that finding the boy’s family is somehow tied to your future.” Alan studied him closely.
“I suppose you could say that. I should be able to make a success of something I attempt to undertake, though, at this point, it looks like this one might fail, too.”
Alan clasped Thomas’s shoulder. “Trying different things does not make you a failure. Giving up would. There’s nothing wrong with searching for the right path. I would venture to say that you’ve learned something with each step you’ve taken. I admire you for it. You are out in the world doing something while I am merely waiting.” He tightened his grip, almost painfully. “From my perspective, you have already found success many times over.”
A mix of pride and surprise swept through Thomas. “Thank you for sharing that. I appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome.” Alan released his hold. “As for the boy, I’m sure we can arrange something. Perhaps he’d like to work at the country estate for a time until he gets a little older.”
“Thank you. That would put my mind at ease.”
