“Have you ever thought Anthonywasn’ta responsible young man?”
He regarded his wife for a moment and sighed. “No,” he replied. “You’re right. He’s entirely too responsible for his age, at least when he’s in my presence,” he added. “But I cannot help but think that when he is not, he’s out getting away with rakish behavior. Sowing his wild oats and gambling and driving coach-and-fours in the middle of the night.”
Diana scoffed. “What makes you say such a thing?”
He dipped his head. “Because that’s howIwas when I was his age. Had my father bamboozled. Mother... not so much.”
Staring at her husband in disbelief, Diana wondered if Anthony really was how his father imagined him. With him having been away at university for these past few years, she really didn’t know how he behaved. “Perhaps you should have a talk with him. After the garden party.”
“Don’t you mean have a talk with both of them?” Adam asked.
Diana shook her head. “Just him. Andrew... Andrew isn’t like Anthony,” she replied. “I believe he truly wants to wed Danielle.” She remembered her earlier conversation with Anthony. “Oh, I did tell Anthony to invite Lady Dahlia to dinner tonight,” she said. “Especially if she agrees to marry him today. And I told him to move into the other apartments on the second floor.”
Adam considered her comments and finally nodded. “You have the right of it,” he replied as a stable boy hurried up to take the reins. He tossed the boy a coin before descending to the pavement below. Then he walked around to the other side of the phaeton and lifted Diana down from the bench, wincing when his shoulders threatened to give way.
“Oh, do be careful, darling,” Diana warned.
“I hate getting old,” Adam murmured as he moved to help Daphne down from her seat. She shook out her skirts before placing a gloved hand on his arm.
Diana’s prim grin had him doing a double-take. “Wot?”
She giggled. “You certainly didn’t seem old earlier today,” she teased, her brows waggling.
Straightening to his full height before offering his other arm to her, he smiled. “Let’s hope I never feel too old to make love to you,” he murmured. “Or life won’t be worth living.”
She gave him a quelling glance and then pasted a brilliant smile on her face.
It was time to face thetonfor another Season of entertainments.
