A MORNING OF NEWS
The next day
The first to arrive in the breakfast parlor the next morning, David filled a plate from the offerings on the sideboard and settled into his usual chair. He was sure his father would have shared what he had learned about David’s afternoon with Rose, and he expected his mother would either congratulate him or thoroughly scold him.
She did neither, for when Elizabeth entered on the arm of George, she was reminding him of their schedule for that evening.
“We’ve already seen that opera,” his father said, nodding to David before he helped himself to a plate.
“But Ertugrul hasn’t, and the Adelphi still has that magician—”
“The Great Wizard of the North,” David interrupted, imitating the announcer who introduced John Henry Anderson to the Adelphi Theatre stage.
“—andAn Hour in Ireland,” his mother continued, ignoring her oldest son.
“SoThe Bohemian Girl, it is,” George said with a shrug. “In less than a fortnight, they’ll be starting a new one.”
“The Brides of Venice, I think it’s called,” she said as George placed a plate of coddled eggs and toast points before her.
“Speaking of brides,” George said as he returned to the sideboard to fill a plate for himself. “When can we expect Rose to marry you?” he asked of David.
“She wants to wed by mid-May,” he replied with a grin.
“Well, I should hope so,” Elizabeth said as a footman set a cup of tea before her. “She’s not getting any younger.”
David scoffed, wondering if Rose had said something to her. “Might I be allowed to bring her with us this evening?”
“Of course,” his father replied as he took his seat. “There’s plenty of room,” he added as Elkins appeared with coffee. They usually sat in the Morganfield box. Given David Carlington’s distaste for the theatre, the Marquess and Marchioness of Morganfield rarely attended.
David asked Elkins if a footman could be sent to Ariley Place with the invitation.
“Right away, sir,” the butler said. Once he had poured coffee for George and David, he disappeared from the breakfast parlor only a moment before Ertugrul and Adeline entered.
“Speaking of room, orroomsrather, we’ll need to decide where you’d like yours,” Elizabeth said, her attention on David.
His gaze darting to George—David had expected his father to have already shared the information with his mother—he said, “Actually, I will be moving out of Bostwick House after the wedding.”
“Good morning,” Adeline said happily, immediately going to the sideboard.
“Good morning,” Ertugrul offered, his nervousness apparent when George glanced up from his newspaper.
“You’re moving out?” Elizabeth repeated.
“Who’s moving out?” Adeline asked, her happy expression faltering.
“To where?” Elizabeth asked in awe.
“An Ariley townhouse in Green Street. Rose is moving in today,” David explained. “Her brother is to marry Hope Batey in June, and she’ll be moving into Ariley Place.”
“Green Street,” Elizabeth murmured softly. “An excellent address. Well, you won’t be so far away, I suppose,” she said.
“Rose gave me a tour of it yesterday. Before I bought her a betrothal ring atEwen and Ewen. There’s some redecoration to do. I’ll get started on the details right away,” he explained.
“A betrothal ring?” Ertugrul repeated as he held a chair for Adeline.
“She’s a duke’s daughter,” David replied. “I thought it best I get her a ring with a bauble. Something that will work with the gold band I’ll give her when we wed.”
“Oh, what sort of bauble?” Adeline asked with excitement. “Sapphire, I hope. The blue will go perfect with her eye color.”
