“Promote from within,” Owen had advised her brother, “if at all possible.” And Thomas intended to try. To that end, he was heading to their main mine in Bolsover, near Chesterfield, to see if one of the local managers would do.
“I have other news,” Thomas said to her after saying he would depart in a few days. “Miss Moore and I intend to follow you and Burnley down the aisle as soon as it is seemly to do so.”
“I’m so happy for you.” In truth, she considered him a little young. On the other hand, if he was firmly in love, why wait?
“Are you prepared? Is she?” Adelia asked.
Thomas nodded. They both knew the uphill battle the newlyweds would face once thetoncaught wind of the future Countess of Dunford’s lineage—or lack thereof. It could mean extreme ostracism.
She didn’t voice the very real concern that some people might take it out on Thomas by canceling their coal deliveries. If there was one thing the British elite excelled at apart from snobbery, it was pettiness. And when an earl was considered to have wasted his title on someone outside his class, retribution could be swift and consistent. Her brother would have to deal with it as best he could. Come what may, any life was better than what had nearly happened to him. To both of them!
“Anything I can do to help, I shall,” Adelia offered. “I suppose it would be beneficial if I had been more of a social success, like Lady Jane Westing.” Then she brightened. “In fact, I am positive Owen’s friends are generous of heart and spirit. If the Westings and the Burnleys welcome Miss Moore into their midst, all will go more smoothly.”
“That would be appreciated,” Thomas said. “While I am determined to go through with marrying her, it would be best for your wedding to take place prior to my publicly announcing our engagement.”
She smiled at him. “Good. That gives Owen and me even more incentive to hurry along with a speedy wedding.”
Thomas’s eyebrows rose. “Don’t go causing yourself problems. We don’t want rumors of impropriety after you’ve lived such an exemplary life. Bad enough your future husband trails such a rakish reputation in his wake.”
She shook her head. “He was never that bad.”
“He was never that good, either.”
“I am not worried.” Adelia truly wasn’t. Owen had been nothing but honest with her.
“Neither am I,” Thomas said surprisingly. “As he ages, I will always be younger and fitter than him. Should he ever do anything to cause you pain, I shall beat him soundly.”
“That isn’t your way,” she protested, wanting to put all thoughts of such violence behind her. Besides, thinking of Owen’s muscular physique, she doubted her brother could bring the viscount down with his fists.
“Maybe I will just beat him at billiards, then.”
They laughed. She hoped her brother and her husband would become good friends.
“Is Miss Moore—?”
“Constance,” he reminded her.
“Is Constance anxious about stepping into high society?”
Her brother’s face broke out into a beaming smile. “Yes, naturally, but she is capable and fearless, too.”
Adelia was thinking how admirably strong Constance was in comparison to herself when her brother added, “She is like you, in fact.”
“Oh, dear God, I hope not.”
He took her hand. “Dilly, you saved me when no one else could, and you don’t hesitate or stutter at all anymore. When you spoke to the detective, it was entirely without hesitation. You do realize that, don’t you?”
She nodded. “I no longer need to hide behind my shyness. It served its purpose, I suppose. After coming so close to losing you, and Owen by consequence, it now seems silly to worry about people looking at me or talking to me. Life is so much better when not lived in fear.”
“Plus, you captured the hand of one of the most sought-after bachelors in London, no matter that he is a rash, noodle-headed lout.” Her brother shook his head. “I would still like to know how you did that, all from the safety of your position by the wallpaper.”
“That’s what it said in the society column the other day when Owen’s and my names were linked. Something along the lines ofhow did a wallflower capture the Sun God?”
“Sun God?” Thomas rolled his eyes.
“He is rather dazzling.” She sighed, instantly picturing her blond, blue-eyed fiancé.
“I’m not going to sit here while you gush over Burnley. I can’t help feeling a bit of resentment each time I see him, to be honest.”
