On his desk at that moment, Cash knew there were three different reports from stewards at his various properties, seven petitions his secretary thought important enough for him to personally review, a letter to Prince Leopold of Bavaria which required his signature, and a list of his mother’s concerns.
She’d been displeased to learn that he did not plan to take the full summer off from his responsibilities, and in fact had brought his responsibilities with him to Dumpkins. But his concession was private dinners in the suite he’d been given, as the visitor with the highest standing. On the nights he could avoid Lady Dumpkins’s formal meals, he’d enjoyed the chance to dine with his mother, his sister, and often, even Matthew.
Last night, Mother had met with him alone, and laid out her concerns for the coming year in London..
Apparently, before they traveled north for the summer, Carlotta had managed to scare off her third musicinstructor—no surprise there—but had already gained the attentions of some earl’s son thanks to her fine riding skills. Mother was enthusiastically planning Carlotta’s presentation next season, which would either be a Smashing Success or a Giant Disaster, depending on how well his uninhibited sister managed to make her curtsey. Oh, and Mother had spent at least seven minutes bemoaning the fact that her Precious Baby was growing up too fast and would become a woman soon.
Cash assumed this meant he’d be expected to visit London in the autumn and either a) curtail Carlotta’s wilder tendencies, b) escort the pair of them around Town, or c) give his approval—or disapproval—of The Match Of The Season. At least that was what Mother had called this hypothetical future marriage proposal, and he wasn’t at all certain how he was expected to reply to that.
Yes, Cash had plenty to worry about in terms of his responsibilities.
So what was he doing standing in shallow water with his trouser legs rolled up to his knees, teaching a tow-headed lad one of the necessary skills for living in the country?
Having a far better time, that is for certain.
“No, Callan. You have to curve your leading fingeraroundthe stone. Like this.” He held the boy’s hand in his. “Otherwise, you won’t get the correct spin on it.”
“I’mdoingthat!” the lad shrieked in frustration. “But it’s no’listening!”
“The stone’s not listening?” Matthew asked drily. “Have you tried explaining things louder? That might help.”
Just as Cash sent his son an exasperated glance, Callan lifted the smooth river rock to his lips, and screamed, “Ye have to skip! We’re skipping ye! Skip, if ye ken what’s good for ye!”
Matthew doubled over with chortles, and Cash hid his smile as he nodded at the younger lad. “Yes, that should work. Remember to curl your finger around the edge, and try to hold it as straight as possible. You don’t want to let it go on an angle—it has to be flat when it hits the water.”
“Flat. Got that, Rocky?”
“You named the rock?” laughed Matthew, just as Callan swung and released the flat stone. It skipped three times—a personal best for the lad—before sinking about ten feet out.
Cash immediately nodded and exclaimed, “Oh, well done, lad!” as Matthew clapped…but Callan burst into tears.
“I miss Rocky! He was my bestest friend, and Ithrew him away!” he wailed.
Matthew’s eyes were wide, torn between surprise and laughter, and Cash’s brows went up. It was the lad’s mother who came to his rescue.
With a no-nonsense manner, Athena joined them at the bank. “Callan, focus. Ye asked Rocky to do his job, and he did it. He did it verra well.”
“But Imisshim!”
“Then go and get him.” Her lips twitched. “Besides, ye ken good and well that Rocky wasnae yer best friend.”
The lad’s tears seemed to have magically dried. “Nay,Matthew is. Matthew, can ye fetch Rocky for me so I can try again?”
“I can…” Matthew hesitated, glancing down at his shirt and trousers. “I can fetch youanotherstone, if you’d like?”
Before Callan could throw another fit—goodness, Cash had forgotten what it was like to have a child young enough to require a nap—Athena tweaked her son’s nose. “Strip down to yer smalls, lads, and I’ll make sure yer clothing doesnae get dirty while ye swim.”
Before Cash could even give his approval, both boys whooped and started divesting themselves of their clothes. Over their heads, Athena cocked a brow at Cash, as if asking his permission. He inclined his head in approval.
He was aduke. It wasn’t just that he was used to getting his way, it was what was expected. His entire life had been full of people asking his opinion and suggestions and approval.
But here was a woman—a woman he knew nothing about—who had taken command of the situation, of hisheir. Matthew listened to her and sought her approval in a way he’d never done with his nurses and tutors.
And Cash didn’t mind at all.
“Will ye come swimming with us, Mama?”
“Oh yes, please, ma’am? And Father? Come swimming with us?”
