The coachman tipped his hat and whipped the horses into motion. William stood behind on the pavement, feeling as though his heart had just ridden off without him.
He waited until the conveyance was out of sight, then strode back inside, collected the book he’d bought, and took it upstairs to his room for safekeeping. After a change of clothes and a brief exchange with Athena, who promised to solve the immediate cooking problem the household faced, he went to his father’s study and patiently waited for Roxley to return from his club.
It took nearly two hours before the man finally walked through the door. He looked at William, who immediately stood.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” Roxley said. “It’s been a while since you’ve come to see me, you’ve been so busy of late.”
“My apologies.” William clasped his hands behind his back to keep from fidgeting.
His father cut him a speculative glance as he went to pour two glasses of brandy. He handed one to William. “You look more anxious than usual. Care to discuss it?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” William took a large sip of his drink and then promptly said, “I would like to request your help with purchasing a house.”
A tiny flinch was the only indication of Roxley’s surprise. He took a seat, waited for William to do the same, and finally asked, “Why now?”
“Because I, um...would like to be more independent.” He raised his chin. Whatever plans he’d had of going to Florence had vanished with Eloise’s departure. He had to wait for her return, had to do what he could to make her his. “After living alone for a year in Lisbon, I only planned to stay with you and Mama temporarily.”
“I see.” His father steepled his fingers. “You want to be able to do as you please without us or your sisters being the wiser. Have you started searching for a new position?”
“Not yet.” After all, he’d been meaning to travel. “But I will.”
“Houses don’t pay for themselves, you know, so while I am happy to cover the cost of buying one for you, seeing as I did help your brothers in a similar capacity, I would like to make sure you have the necessary income to keep it.”
“I’ll start looking for a position tomorrow.”
“Excellent.” Roxley reached for his glass. “Let’s drink to success then, shall we? I’ll find out what’s on the market and we can go take a look.”
Pleased with how well this conversation had gone, William thanked his father and stood. His next task was to make sure Athena had met with success and that food would indeed be served at seven o’clock that evening.
“William?”
Roxley’s voice stopped him before he reached the door. He turned and met his father’s thoughtful gaze. “Yes?”
“If this sudden desire of yours to change your life has something to do with a woman, I do hope you’ll stop and think with your brain before you allow your baser instincts to guide you.”
William barely managed a tight smile. It was the best he could do short of sputtering in response. He inhaled deeply, then let the air out with slow deliberation. “Of course.”
He backed up, then fled the room while hoping his father had not just seen straight through him. Because of course this had something to do with a woman. Eloise was at the very center of his plan to remove himself from his family home. And yes, his baser instincts were at play, but there was something else too – something more than physical need – even if he still wasn’t ready to study those feelings in greater detail.
