“I’ll be too old to enjoy it.” Charlie climbed to his feet. “I don’t suppose I could have some of the ready? I find myself at a stand after paying for the trip down from Oxford.”
“I consider cockfighting to be a shabby way for a man to toss away his blunt, but I see it will be useless to dissuade you.”
“I did promise, Jas.”
“I shan’t be subsidizing your allowance to pay for any gambling losses, so please try to keep your nose clean while here in London.” Jason reached for his cash box. Unlocking it, he counted out ten pounds.
“Traveling is an expensive business.” Charlie nodded his thanks and pocketed the money. “Especially if you have to escort a lady.”
Jason raised his head from locking the box. “You brought a lady with you to London?”
“I need to tell you about that.” Charlie was hurrying to the door. “I haven’t time now. I’ll explain later.”
Jason watched the door shut behind his brother. “Why does Parnell think my life is boring?” he asked the empty room. He had yet to deal with his sister, and that would require far more tact. At least tact was completely lost on Charlie.
Chapter Four
“A letter has arrived from your father.” Mama entered the breakfast room, where Helen, Diana, and Toby sat at the table with the appetizing smells of eggs, bacon, and kippers from the hot dishes wafting from the sideboard.
Helen stopped buttering toast. “Is Papa on his way home?”
“I believe so. His letter was dated a month ago when he was soon to board the ship for England. He had just returned to Alexandria after visiting the Temple of Hathor at Dendera. He has confirmed a theory and remains confident his research is sound.”
“Does he say what the theory is?” Having spread marmalade on her toast, Helen took a bite.
“He doesn’t, dear. There’s only so much room for your father’s large cursive on the page, and he seemed to be in a rush. He sends his love and is eager to hug his loved ones again.”
“How very like Papa,” Diana said with a laugh. “To send us exciting news and not tell us what it is.”
“We shall learn of it all in good time, Diana.” Mama paused as Fiske entered the room to provide hot water.
Helen doubted they’d learn much more from Papa. When he was at home, he closeted himself in his library and didn’t always see fit to tell them what took up so much of his time. But she longed to see him again. He had been gone for over two months, and their home just didn’t feel right without him. “How is Bart today, Mama, and Jinx?”
Mama shook her head, her eyes sad. “I had not wished to discuss this with you until after breakfast. Jinx has recovered and returned to his duties in the kitchen. But our footman is very ill indeed. The doctor called again early this morning. Brace yourselves, my dears, Bartholomew is not expected to live for much longer.”
“Oh, Mama!” Diana and Helen cried in unison.
“Poor Bart.” Toby’s voice wobbled with distress. He pushed away his half-eaten plate of bacon and eggs. “I went to see him yesterday, but was told he was sleeping.”
“I shall visit him this morning,” Mama said. “I hope to ask him what his last wishes might be. I’ll consult Father’s secretary when he arrives. Mr. Thorburn will need to deal with this matter in your father’s absence.”
“Can we say goodbye?” Helen asked with a sad wrench.
“If you really wish to, although it will be distressing, and I’m sure Bartholomew won’t expect it.”
“We want to, Mama,” Toby said.
“Very well. The doctor assures me he is not infectious.”
Helen glanced at her brother and sister while wiping away a tear. Bart had been a part of their household for years. He had always impressed her with his ability to perform his duties perfectly with only one arm.
***
Lizzie brought the sweet fragrance of sunlit gardens into the library with her arms full of aromatic flowers. Her cheeks were flushed, and there was a sparkle he had not seen for some years in her eye. “How agreeable to find you at home, Jason. These are for my sitting room. I mean to borrow that pretty blue and white vase on the mantelpiece.”
Jason rang for the footman as she unloaded the bunch onto a table. “Stay and talk to me,” he said, seizing the opportunity to speak to her.
When the footman appeared, she gave him the vase and filled his arms with the pink and white blooms. “Please tell Sally to fill the vase with water, arrange the flowers, and set them in my sitting room, thank you, Henry.
