“May I go now?” Patrick half-stood up.
“I haven’t finished yet.”
Patrick huffed, sitting down again. “Yes.”
“From now on, I want you to work close to my secretary when I’m busy.”
“Anthony!”
“Brooks can work unsupervised, but you can’t. You’ll follow his work closely and learn what he does.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re part of this family and you’ll share the responsibilities.”
“I’m the spare.”
“What if something happens to me?”
“I am an optimistic chap.”
“Patrick!” He raised his voice.
Patrick rested his forehead on his head in a dramatic pose. “I’ll die out of boredom working next to Brooks. I need entertainment or I’ll go mad.”
“It’s incredible how you set very low personal goals and then fail to achieve them consistently.”
Patrick rolled his eyes. “I’m not made for a life of duty. I wouldn’t have been born as the spare otherwise.”
“Thank you for your enthusiastic cooperation. I’m impressed.”
“Joke if you want. May I go now?”
He gave him a sharp nod.
As Patrick left, scoffing, Anthony couldn’t stop a smile of relief. He was free to pursue Isabella.
* * *
Not a dropof ink had been spared for Helen in Anthony’s personal diary, which made him feel guilty.
As he promenaded next to her along the path in the garden, he cast glances at her. She was composed, serious, and elegant while Isabella was loud and vivacious. She was talking with Patrick about the latest types of dances, waving her arms about and improvising the music and steps. She and Patrick had nothing in common.
Patrick was a rake who enjoyed spending his days playing cricket, ravishing ladies, and cheating at cards. She was an innocent, vibrant young woman who just wanted to be free. Yet they talked and talked as if they’d known each other for years.
“Your sister seems to enjoy herself,” he said just to break the silence.
“I apologise for her behaviour.”
He stiffened. That was the wrong thing to say. “I don’t understand why you feel the need to apologise on her behalf.”
“She’s boisterous and loud. I understand you’re used to more sombre people.”
“I’m used to honesty.”
“Oh, she lies sometimes, too.”
He exhaled through his teeth. The situation had to be his fault. Everything he said came out twisted. “You can express your opinion about anything you want when you’re with me. I would prefer it.”
