He put a hand on the stitched cut. “I am.”
Quick footsteps came from behind him. “Lady Effie, I’m here.” Rowan slowed down as he walked past Tristan. “Thank you for coming.”
“Lord Rowan, I’m glad to see you again,” she said before turning to Tristan. “I would like to see Zeus and talk to Rowan about veterinary medicine books.” She tapped the large bag she was carrying. “Are you going to join us? It would be lovely.”
Rowan shot a glance at her. Tristan could bet his brother had in mind another word instead of lovely.
He didn’t have any urgent appointments that morning. Well, not very urgent.
While Rowan’s scared face and the maid’s hostile expression urged him to say no, Effie’s bright eyes made him feel welcome. Someone genuinely wanted to spend time with him, as absurd as it sounded. And not because she had a business deal to discuss with him or worse, a marriage proposal.
His brain told him to say no and head to the factory in Pimlico to supervise the production. But his heart believed the factory could wait an hour or two.
“Gladly,” he said.
George walked to the hallway as well. “Good morning.”
Tristan stretched out an arm. “Lady Effie, this is my business partner and friend, Mr. Fleet.”
Effie gave a graceful nod of her head. “Mr. Fleet.”
George bowed. “My lady, you’re Lady Euphemia, Lord Winchester’s daughter, I believe.”
“I am she.”
“Interesting.” George turned towards Tristan who lifted his chin, challenging him to say more.
He had to keep Effie out of the quarrel with Winchester.
“Lady Effie is going to teach me about becoming a veterinary doctor,” Rowan said with a smile that Tristan didn’t remember having ever seen.
George’s face brightened. “Excellent. You’ll be great with your love of animals. Only good things come out of a great passion.”
Rowan blushed. “Thank you, Uncle.”
“Backgammon tonight?” George asked.
Rowan nodded. “Yes! I’ll tell you everything about today. We’re all going to the stables. Even Tristan.”
“Aren’t you going to Pimlico?” George asked as the footman helped him don his coat.
He waved a dismissive hand. “Later. I would like to see Zeus as well.”
“The more, the merrier,” Effie said, but no one seemed to share her enthusiasm.
George shifted his gaze from Effie to Tristan, like a confused dog who didn’t know which squirrel he should chase. “Yes, I often associate the word ‘merry’with Lord Montcrest.”
Rowan started to chuckle but hid it with a cough.
“Excellent.” Effie seemed oblivious to the awkward atmosphere. “Shall we go?”
“Peter, my coat,” Tristan said to the footman.
George hugged Rowan and nodded to Effie. “It was a pleasure to meet you, my lady.” He angled towards Tristan. “I’ll see you later.”
They walked together to the stables in an uncomfortable silence—though not uncomfortable for Effie. She hummed a tune and smiled at the warm sunlight. She pointed out this or that flowering plant or a cloud with a funny shape.
The maid was so serious and stiff she could be a statue, and Rowan walked close to Effie as if not wanting to stay close to his brother.
