The viscount narrowed his eyes. “What tale are you telling now?”
“It is true. I eloped to Scotland recently.”
Silence met his response. Then the man asked, “Did you ruin another young lady?”
Philip took a deep breath. He would not discuss his new wife with another man. Besides, Perrin had only to read the book to figure out who his bride was.
“That is not your business,” Philip said.
“No, it’s not,” the viscount agreed. “But your brandyismy business.”
Philip was prepared for this. It was wrong of the viscount and his brother to penalize him, but he had known it would happen eventually.
A pounding on the outer door interrupted their conversation.
A second later, Lord Rowantry rushed in ahead of Perrin’s butler who dutifully trailed in and announced him.
“Lord Rowantry to see you, my lord.”
Not only was the young man’s cravat hanging loose, but his jacket was swinging open and his waistcoat unbuttoned as if all had been hastily donned while on the move. And to cap the image, his thick hair stood up in a frightful mess, none of it befitting a marquess’s son, unless he had an extremely poorly trained valet.
Philip doubted that was the case. Something had caused Rowantry to be in a state of distress, and Philip had a good idea what it was, or ratherwhoit was.
“What the devil!” Perrin exclaimed. “You are interrupting, not to mention you look unhinged. Collect yourself, and I will see you anon.”
“I must speak with her. Where is Miss Waltham?”
Philip watched the viscount’s interest perk. Perrin circled the desk, coming close to the young man.
“Why? What do you want with her?”
“To marry her. I demand you allow it. Don’t let this scoundrel have her.”
Philip took a step back.How had he become involved again?
“I say, watch your tongue,” he protested. There was no cause to throw insults, especially when they both knew who the real scoundrel was.
“If you’d asked politely,” Philip continued, “I would have told you that you may have Miss Waltham with my blessing. I am already married, and happily so.”
“Then I’ll forgive the kiss I read about,” Rowantry said, still glaring at him. But then he focused on Perrin. “Why did no one tell me of Miss Waltham’s dire circumstances?”
Perrin shook his head. “I suppose my daughter thought you knew and didn’t care. You do know how the reproduction of the human species works, don’t you, boy? First you talk sweetly to a female, then there’s thepully hawly, and then you make feet for children’s stockings. But you’re supposed to do that after you are married.After, I say! In any case, now you’ve made the blasted feet, you had better provide for the stockings!”
Rowantry looked suitably chagrinned. Philip was glad Perrin wasn’t to be his father-in-law. In comparison, he’d got off easily with Bright.
“Nevertheless, I give my permission,” Perrin continued. “Since you’ve ruined her, I assume you’ll forego her dowry?”
“Yes,” Rowantry assured him. “That is if she’ll have me.”
“She will have you if I have anything to say about it, and I assure you I do,” Perrin said.
Philip hoped Miss Waltham was amenable because it was clear she would be given no choice.
“Where is she?” Rowantry asked. “I am desperate to see her and ease her worries.”
“Let us not be hasty,” the viscount said. “We must discuss her allowance.”
Philip decided to leave the men alone to finish up their negotiations.
