But he was also having some second thoughts. That “although...” sounded more ominous by the moment. He made a mental note to ask her about it later that afternoon.
Seating himself in the large leather chair behind his desk, Adam leaned back and exhaled. “Your allowances are hereby forfeit. There will be no Grand Tours for either of you. You want your allowances resumed, you’ll have to secure a promise of marriage and then be married.”
Anthony and Andrew regarded one another in shock before returning their startled gazes on their father. “Mm...m... married?”
Adam was quite sure he had never heard his oldest son stutter before. He was also quite sure the young man had never passed out, either, but the way his face paled and his eyes glazed over, Adam decided there was a first for everything.
“May we wed who we wish?” Andrew asked, apparently taking the news far better than his brother.
Blinking, Adam allowed a shrug. “Well, I would hope you have your sights set on an appropriate young woman,” he replied. “A daughter of thetonor.... a well-to-do merchant’s daughter,” he hedged.
“Oh, I’ve already secured a promise of marriage from an earl’s daughter,” Andrew replied.
This had Anthony recovering his faculties as well as the use of his eyebrows, for they both lifted in alarm. “Since when?”
Andrew shrugged. “I was... eight, I think.”
His father scoffed. “You remember when you were eight years old? Becausesheprobably doesn’t.”
His eyes darting between his father and his brother, Andrew said, “Of course. And I’m sure she does. Don’t you?” When he saw Anthony’s usual expression of boredom when he spoke of their past, he added, “I remember everything I’ve ever heard spoken, sir, which is how I learned at university. And Eton before.”
Adam frowned. “You’re not joking?”
Anthony held up a staying hand. “He speaks the truth, Father. Since he has such trouble seeing letters correctly or in the right order—he’s rot at reading—he’s learned to memorize everything that’s said during his lectures—”
“Not just lectures.”
“—and anything else he hears. He’d make an excellent spy if the Crown still employed any,” Anthony finished on a sigh.
“I’m fairly sure they still do,” Andrew said, his expression looking as if he were a bit worried the Crown might have given up on surreptitious intelligence gathering.
“Well, you’re not going to become a spy for the Crown,” Adam stated. “But I’m sure your skill could come in handy at some point. Now, although you think you have a promise of marriage, I suggest you secure an updated promise and a definitive date.”
“I will, Father. And when I do—”
“Ifyou do...”
“May I take her to Italy and Greece for our wedding trip?”
Anthony scoffed. “You’re determined to take your Grand Tour, even with a wife in tow?” The way his brows were knit together at the base of his forehead, Andrew knew his brother didn’t agree with the plan.
Andrew sent a grimace in his brother’s direction. “I am, and I think escorting a young woman about Europe could be rather scintillating.”
“You can do whatever you want with your allowance once you’re wed,” Adam stated, ignoring their discussion. He had taken their mother to Rome soon after they were wed, which was probably why there were twin sons sitting across from him right now. Although they had gone to see the sights, he had spent a good deal of the time enjoying the sight of Diana, naked in their hotel room, doing a perfect imitation of the Roman goddess of love.
Adam had to erase the memory of those early days of his marriage when his cock threatened to take up every available inch of space in his pantaloons, not that there was much extra space there. In fact, if Diana hadn’t gone off to see her physician, Adam might have taken his leave of the study and resumed what they were doing a few hours ago.
“Lady Morganfield’s garden party is tomorrow, and Lord Weatherstone’s ball is Tuesday night,” Adam stated. “I suggest you wrangle some invitations.” He inhaled softly and then added, “Dismissed.”
His two boys dared glances at one another before they slowly got to their feet and filed out of the study.
Leaning back in his chair, Adam’s thoughts once again went to his wife and their future child. His sour mood quickly dissipated, and he grinned as he stared at the correspondence that had arrived that morning.
He might not have bothered opening any of the bright white missives, but given it was nearly the Season, he knew most of them would be invitations to balls andsoirées.
Except for one short note from the Earl of Norwick, all of them were invitations. As for the note, he reread it several times before he gave his head a shake and set it aside.
Was the man mad?
