It was David’s turn to display a red face as his father and mother both stared at him in disbelief while Adeline held a hand to her mouth as she tittered.
David straightened in his chair. “I’ve told you about Daniel on a number of occasions,” he claimed indignantly.
Ertugrul grinned, apparently well aware there was a younger Bennett-Jones boy.
Elkins appeared at the door and cleared his throat.
“Yes?” Elizabeth said as George set a plate filled with toast points and coddled eggs before her.
“The town coach has left the mews and should be in front of the house in a few minutes, my lady.”
When Ertugrul looked as if he was about to rise from the table, David held out a staying hand. “The coach will wait for us,” he said. “Take your time with breakfast.”
“Speak for yourself,” Adeline said. “Ertugrul and I are anxious to get to the museum.” She turned her attention on the sehzade. “Aren’t we?”
Having finished most of what was on his plate, Ertugrul nodded. “I am,” he agreed.
David rolled his eyes. “Addy,” he scolded.
She grinned. “I have to run upstairs for a bonnet and a shawl, but thanks to mother allowing her lady’s maid to see to me first this morning, we needn’t wait for my hair to be done.”
Elizabeth sipped her chocolate before aiming a flirtatious gaze in her husband’s direction. “I’m about to allow you to have her all the time,” she said in a teasing voice. “I hardly have use of her these days.”
George looked up from the newspaper. “Nonsense, my sweet. Someone has to sew all those buttons back on your corset,” he said with a straight face, his attention turning back to an article inThe Times. “The tip of my fencing sword was a bit sharper than I thought.”
David blinked while Adeline rolled her eyes, as if she had heard the same comment on other occasions. Ertugrul’s look of alarm was directed to David.
“They were probably playing pirates last night,” David whispered. “Nothing’s changed around here, it seems.”
“Highwayman,” George murmured, his gaze still on the newspaper.
“Highwayman?” David repeated in a whisper.
“I stopped her coach… the bed… and stole all her jewels. And her clothes, of course.”
Left speechless, David stared at his father.
“Don’t look at me like that. It washeridea,” George murmured. “A good one, too. Now I have jewels I can bestow on her every day for the next week.”
Rolling his eyes, David felt heat suffuse his face as he stared at the remains of his breakfast.
Leaning over so he was closer to David, Ertugrul said, “Father pretends to be a Saracen with Sultana Charlotte. I have never heard her complain.”
David stared at Ertugrul. “How do you evenknowthat?” he asked in shock.
Ertugrul‘s gaze darted to George, who had a grin on his face despite his apparent attention on the newspaper. “I believe they are proud of their prowess and merely need someone with whom to share news of their conquests.” When David gave him a quelling glance, Ertugrul added, “We would do well to learn from them. To ensure our wives do not wish to bed another.”
Elizabeth glanced at Adeline, who was doing her best to keep a straight face and her eyes on her plate. “It’s best they learn these thingsbeforethey are wed,” her mother whispered. “Otherwise lessons can be terribly costly.”
Adeline’s eyes widened. “Did father do something costly?” she said in hoarse whisper.
“No!” Elizabeth responded. “Of course not. I was referring toothers. Your father is the model of a perfect husband. Always has been.” Her gaze darted to George, who looked up from his paper to regard her with an expression of bemusement. “What is it, darling?” she asked.
“Whenever I see you like this...” He motioned to her hairstyle. “I am simply reminded of our first night together,” he said in a quiet voice.
Elizabeth inhaled softly. “Oh,” she responded, sounding breathless. She visibly swallowed. “Well, it’s about time you three be off, don’t you think?” she asked as she turned her gaze on her son and daughter. “The museum will be opening at any moment, and your tailor isn’t going to wait for you all day,” she added in a scolding voice.
“Yes, Mother,” Adeline replied as she rose from the table. The young men immediately followed suit, bowing before they all took their leave of the breakfast parlor.
