“I heard you giving directions to a hackney driver from my window, yesterday. So, unless it’s one of the Kinsey girls you wish to see, I gather it was business.”
He shook his head with a grin. “I’ll apologize to the baron. Though I don’t think my attendance would matter too much.”
“Oh, but it does. He often speaks of you.”
Jason raised his eyebrows. “Does he?”
“Yes, he’s always asking about you.”
“Asking what exactly?”
“Nothing in particular. You had told him you’d been to Italy, and he wished to know more about that. But I don’t know much about your trip, something to do with the government, wasn’t it? I was enjoying being married. Greywood was home on leave. I told the baron that you distinguished yourself under Wellington during the war.”
“How very dull for the poor fellow.” It occurred to him that Bianchi might be about to offer for Lizzie’s hand. The prospect didn’t please him as much as he’d hoped. “Does the exhibition go well?”
A faint line creased her brow. “I need to speak to you about that.”
The door opened, and Charlie stalked into the drawing room.
“After dinner,” Lizzie added.
Jason looked uneasily at her. “Very well.” He turned to eye his brother, who was scowling. “Good evening, Charlie.”
“I can’t see much that’s good about it.” Charlie took a glass of wine from Henry. “I only have a few weeks left before I must return to Oxford.”
“I thought you’d come to terms with going back.” Jason nodded his thanks to Fiske, who’d just decanted a fresh bottle of claret.
“I suppose I have, but I hoped to secure Amelia’s affections before I left.”
Jason took a good mouthful of wine, savoring the taste of black cherry, licorice, and spice before hearing the worst. “Not going well?”
“A fellow with a face like a trout escorted Amelia to the theater. And when I questioned her about it, she insisted that she’s free to go out with whomever she pleases.”
“But, Charlie, Miss Groton is quite correct,” Lizzie said gently. “You have no claim on her.”
“That’s because she keeps me at arm’s length.” A deep breath pushed out his chest. “Can’t understand it. Girls have shown a partiality for me in the past.”
“I’m sure they still do,” Lizzie said with a sympathetic smile. “But it’s possible this other man has more to offer. After all, you’ll be at university for another year, and after that, you’re to make your grand tour. You can’t expect Miss Groton to wait so long for you.”
Charlie shook his head. “I’ve decided not to take the tour.”
“What? Have you thought it through, Charlie?” Jason was worried that his brother’s infatuation might cause him to make hasty decisions. “I had the best time of my life touring the Continent with a group of lads.”
A spark appeared in Charlie’s green eyes. “Wasn’t it a total bore, Jas?”
“Au contraire! Wine, women, and song.” Jason grinned. “Beg pardon, Lizzie.”
“That is not what the tour is meant to be about, Charlie. It is designed to turn you into a cultured gentleman.” Lizzie frowned at Jason and firmed her lips, but Jason didn’t miss the laughter in her eyes before she lowered her head over her wine glass.
After dinner, when Charlie had gone to meet a friend for a game of billiards, Jason and Lizzie settled in the library. He poured a glass of Madeira for her and port for himself. “What worries you so, Lizzie? Does it concern the baron?”
“Someone has accused him of selling a forged artwork.”
“Really? One in his collection? I wasn’t aware he intended to sell any of them.”
She traced a drop of condensation down her glass. “Neither was I, but it turns out that he does buy and sell paintings.”
“Which piece of work is it?”
