It was Malcolm’s misfortune, however, that the landowners were nowhere near him.
The local men were grouped at one end of the table, where they sat talking over crop prices, rain, and projected profits for this year.
Malcolm yearned to join them, but it was impossible.
The three visiting young gentlemen from London sat at the middle of the table.
And he sat at the furthest end, surrounded by his brothers, who all looked at him with amused expressions.
“Malcolm,” said Severn.“Don’t be cross—but you seemed quite familiar with Miss Tilly’s older sister.Miss Scarlett, is it?”
Malcolm tried not to flush and suspected that he was failing.
“Come now, Severn,” George said.“Leave Malcolm be.He is doing us a favor, you know.”
“He didn’t look like he was doing anyone else a favor just now,” Philip chimed in.
His mouth, Malcolm noticed, was stained a very faint red.He was still young enough to overdo himself with wine at table, evidently.
“Enough,” Malcolm growled.
“Would you like our commentary any better if I said she seemed quite charmed by you as well?”Severn said.“I am sure she thought you quite fine.Tilly asked me several questions about my mysterious,handsomebrother.If I weren’t only filling in for George, I might have felt jealous.”
Malcolm grimaced.He didn’t like the idea of the younger Miss Perkins mocking him either, even if she wasn’t as beautiful as her elder sister.
“Ah, I need not worry about Tilly’s faithfulness,” George said.“No matter how mysterious and handsome Malcolm may be.”
“And what of me, brother?”Severn said lightly.“Do I pose no threat on that account?”
George laughed.“No, Severn, not as much as Malcolm.Tilly knows you too well to take any of your flirting seriously.”
Malcolm was surprised to see a shadow flit across Severn’s face.Before he could study it, though, the thing disappeared.
“Ah, of course.I’ll have to set my sights on some other quarry for this house party.Someone who knows my flirtation can be very serious indeed.”
“Lady Ransom is quite good-looking, Severn,” Philip said, his speech slurring ever so slightly.“You may try her.”
Severn gave a bright, short laugh.“Perhaps I might.I constantly surprise myself.”
“I believe Lady Ransom loves her husband,” George said with a frown.“Miss Wallington has suggested as much to me.”
“Then my plan is foiled,” Severn said, looking down and swirling what remained of his brandy.
“George,” Philip said, his voice far heavier than Severn’s.“Will you be offended if I make love to one of your prospective brides?Not Tilly, of course.”
George arched his brows.“Is that your plan, little brother?”
Philip lowered his voice.“Miss Jones has an awfully large dowry.”
Severn gave a low, long whistle.“Philip, that’s mercenary.”
“Well, I haven’t a farthing of my own.Beyond what Beatrice might do for me.But one cannot always be living off one’s sister.I must marry rich.You know it is the same for you, Severn.Or nearly, anyway.”
Severn downed the last of his drink.“That’s the difference between you and me, Philip,” he said, gesturing to Marks, one of the footmen, a good lad who had worked his way up from the kitchens, to refill his glass.“I never think of marrying at all.”
“Youshould,” Philip said.“You’ll need a real establishment one day.Especially when George is married.”
“I will meet that challenge when it appears.”
