“The dog?”
Caroline nodded. Edmund shrugged. “She’s a big dog for London, but I don’t see why not.”
And then her brother cannily discussed museums and shopping and exhibitions and the theater and all manner of fascinating outings that would not require Caroline to speak. And, consequently, would not expose her to ridicule.
He was clever, her brother. But why should she be surprised at that? She was clever, too. Just no one knew it.
She was certainly clever enough to find her big brother a wife in London.
Nine
William Dagenham showed up in the street in front of Phineas’ rooms just as Phineas was about to get into his carriage with Dashwood.
“Where are you going? Can I come?” William switched the grip of his leather bag from one hand to the other.
“I’m off to Burchester.”
“Perfect.” William climbed into the carriage, and Phineas grinned and got in after him.
Dashwood stayed on the pavement. “My lord.”
“Get in, Dashwood.”
“I’ll sit up with the coachman since you have a guest, my lord.”
Phineas poked his head out the carriage door. “It’s just Dagenham. He won’t care.”
The young man shuddered. “It would not be proper.”
“Yes. As always, you must suit yourself.” Phineas withdrew his head back into the carriage, knowing argument was useless. His valet was punctilious to a fault.
But Phineas’ irritation was short-lived. Because now he would have a companion in Burchester. A distraction, a partner for walks and cards and conversing. How splendid that William had come along.
The carriage started moving, and Phineas chuckled and rubbed his hands together.
“So, Will, to what do I owe this pleasure? You need to make a speedy escape from town?”
But he stopped laughing once William turned to him. His friend’s hands were shaking. His shoulders were stooped. His eyes were red, with bags underneath and creases at the edges. A stained shirt. Waistcoat buttons straining against his belly. No cravat. Lord Dagenham with no cravat? Unheard of. And no watch fob and no signet ring.
The viscount, once slim and almost-feline in his movements and sartorial elegance, had grown paunchy and haggard in the last six months. Yes, he had not looked quite himself this summer and on the hunting trip in September, but Phineas had not really paused to consider what a huge change had been wrought in the man.
“Yes. I need to get out of London,” William croaked.
“Husband of a lover wants to meet you at dawn with pistols, eh?”
William laughed bitterly. “That’s a problem for you and His Grace, Jack MacNaughton. I don’t have that kind of difficulty. Wish I did.”
“I prefer widows, as you know.”At least, I used to, Phineas amended in his head.Before I became besotted with Caro.
William took a flask from his bag and downed a swig. He offered it to Phineas who held up his hand and shook his head.
“So, is it your vowels, Will?”
“At this point, it’s every damn letter in the alphabet.”
“But . . . you win.”
“I only tell you about the wins.”
