“Oh, the members aren’t all young men. Widowed man can rejoin. I have my eye on Sir Lionel. He served our country honorably in Italy. His wife died around the same time as my Peter. However, he claims he is devoted to the society. He has resisted all my entreaties.”
“Perhaps he was deeply in love with his late wife?”
“It’s been five years. Why wouldn’t he want more from life?”
“You have tried to coax him out?”
“Every chance I can.”
“Perhaps he will notice your new hairstyle.”
Mrs. Warbler touched her soft curls. “He might. Unfortunately, the Widow Smethers fancies him as well. She’s younger but I have more money. Then again, she cooks.”
“Competition is not bad for any of us.” Kate realized she hadn’t taken her eyes off of Brandon. She forced herself to bring her focus back into the room. Janie had brought in a broom and swept up the hair. The sherry glass was full again.
“The earl has his eye on you.”
Kate gave a start. “Does he?” Now she was wary.
“They say he is a generous benefactor.”
“I’m not interested in a benefactor.” Kate started tidying up the table. She moved the scissors over, then the hand mirror—
Mrs. Warbler reached out and stopped her hand. She gave a heavy sigh and admitted, “The dowager is very nervous about her son’s infatuation with you. You’d be wise to leave him alone.”
“I am not encouraging him,” Kate could say honestly. “If anything, I am avoiding him.” Which had been another reason for accepting the invitation this afternoon.
“I know it isn’t you. We all do. Even the duchess will acknowledge this once she calms down and thinks clearly. Winderton is very young and, yet, he has always been anxious to settle down. The duchess has had her hands full trying to keep him from jumping in where angels should fear to tread.”
Kate sat on the chair she’d vacated. “Her Grace has nothing to worry about from me.” Her glance had to return to the doorway across the road. Brandon had started to walk away but the earl grabbed his arm and was speaking seriously with him.
“For my money, the man who is the most interesting is Mr. Balfour,” Mrs. Warbler said.
Now she had Kate’s attention. “Why do you say that?”
“He’s handsome and there is a mystery about him.”
“A mystery.”
“Yes, he so rarely smiles. He is always serious. He is an architect. He was working for the East India Company when Winderton’s father died. They say he didn’t want to come back to England and only did so for duty.”
“How long ago was that?”
“About three years ago. He has complete say over the duke’s affairs until he turns one and twenty, which is very soon. It is unfortunate the duke’s father didn’t make the age of his majority much higher. Winderton could use more seasoning—” She stopped abruptly. “Perhaps I shouldn’t be saying this to you? The dowager would be furious.”
“It is not a problem. Whatever we say here won’t go further than this room.”
Mrs. Warbler looked outside. Brandon and the earl were still in their deep discussion. “I know Mr. Balfour will be relieved when he can discharge his duties to his nephew. He has had a hard time adjusting after being gone so long. He struggles to reestablish himself. It must be difficult for him to live in the Dower House.”
“The Dower House?” Kate hadn’t really thought about where Brandon lived. She’d assumed in the redbrick manse the duke owned.
“Yes, on the estate.”
“Of course, that makes sense.” Kate remembered the room that he’d had in London. Student’s quarters... and yet, they had been a magical place in her mind.
“The duchess worries about him. And then, of course, there is the tragedy of his life.”
Kate swung her attention away from the gentlemen. “Tragedy?”
