He laughed. “Cook complains that I don’t entertain enough. I’ll send her notice, but I’m sure she is in the process of creating a feast for Charlie.”
Lizzie giggled. “You may be right.”
When Lizzie left the library, Jason glanced at the book beside him. He made no attempt to pick it up, knowing his attempt to read would be useless. It was bittersweet to watch Lizzie awaken to life. If only he could be sure of the man responsible for it.
Charlie wandered into Jason’s dressing room some hours later while his batman come valet was adjusting his cravat.
“Damned if I can tie it the way you do, Hicks.”
“It’s your Adam’s apple, my lord. It tends to spoil the arrangement.”
“What would you have me do about it? Cut it off?”
Hicks chuckled. No, my lord, it’s only when you tie the cravat yourself.”
“A sneakier means with which to safeguard your position as my valet, I’ve never heard,” Jason said with a roar of laughter.
Hicks fought a grin as he took up the clothes brush.
“Why so glum, Charlie?” Jason asked, eyeing him in the mirror.
“That cockfight turned out to be a poor show, hardly worth the effort.” Charlie threw himself onto a chair. “Probably rigged.”
And he lost his money, Jason surmised. A salient lesson, he hoped. “You need to hurry to change for dinner. We have a guest.”
“Who is it?”
“A gentleman Lizzie has invited. A Baron Bianchi.”
“Oh? Actually, I’ve invited two guests myself.”
Jason frowned. “Have you notified Cook?”
“Yes, just been down to the kitchen. She’s prepared enough to feed a troop.”
“I’m sure she has,” Jason said dryly. “Who are your guests?”
“Miss Groton, the lady I escorted from Oxford. She is staying with her aunt. The aunt is accompanying her.”
“Is Miss Groton the sort of woman you would introduce to your sister?”
Charlie looked affronted. “Of course. There is nothing about her demeanor to offend.”
Jason arched an eyebrow. “Then we shall have quite an interesting dinner party.” He did up the cloth buttons of his single-breasted waistcoat embroidered with gold thread then nodded to his valet. “Thank you, Hicks. After you’ve assisted Charlie, you may have your dinner.”
“Certainly, my lord.” Hicks hurried out the door.
Jason pulled down his cuffs. “Now. While you dress, you can explain about Miss Groton.”
Following his brother along the passage, Jason was congratulating himself on remaining calm under the constant barrage of surprises his siblings inflicted on him when Charlie paused at the door.
“There’s something I need to get off my chest, Jas. I told Miss Groton you could help her out of her predicament.”
“I can hardly wait to learn of it,” Jason said wearily.
“I think I’ll wear my new Apollo gold waistcoat tonight. It won’t clash with yours,” Charlie said, entering his bedroom.
“Tell me one thing,” Jason said following him. “Where is this Basil Wentworth who got you into this scrape? And why isn’t he assisting Miss Groton?”
