“But George will marry soon.And then you’ll need to make yourself scarce for his domestic felicity,” Philip insisted.“You’ll need to marry soon yourself.”
“Really, Philip.I beg you to let me manage my own affairs.”
“No one need make themselves scarce, or marry, for my domestic felicity,” George said, frowning.“Nothing at Parkhorne will change after my marriage.Everyone is as welcome as ever.”
“You may want more privacy,” Malcolm said, not wanting his good-natured brother to commit himself too far in this vein, “once you have a wife.”
“If I want privacy with my bride,” George said, “I will take her on a honeymoon.But I suspect it won’t be necessary.Tilly isn’t the fussy type.”
“Dear God, George,” Severn broke out.“Even a practical girl deserves a honeymoon.”
“Of course I will consult her wishes,” George said.
“Sometimes, brother,” Severn said, “you speak as if Miss Perkins has already agreed to marry you.”
“She has given every sign that she will agree,” George said.“But you are right.I don’t mean to presume.I should be more circumspect.”
Malcolm saw that shadow pass over Severn’s face again.
“I don’t want you to quarrel with your favorite,” Severn said, his tone light once more.“Ladies generally do not like theiryesto be seen as a foregone conclusion.”
“You are right, brother,” George said, giving a cheerful laugh.“I have not properly asked her.And so I shouldn’t speak so freely.But there is something like an understanding between us, you know.”
“Yes,” Severn said quietly.“Of course.”
“But you must understand, George,” Philip said, breaking in once more.“That after you marry, Severn and I will be like the fifth wheel of the coach around this place.”
“Two additional wheels make six,” George retorted.“Hardly a hindrance.”
Philip rolled his eyes.“You intentionally avoid my meaning.”
“I think you worry for nothing,” George said, only now seeming a bit vexed with Philip’s insistence.“I want to marry to help Parkhorne, not see my family out of it.I do not comprehend why anyone should feelde tropjust because I take a wife.”
Despite George’s reassurances, Malcolm could understand why Philip might be anxious.Whereas Severn’s mother owned a small estate that bordered Parkhorne lands, and he could always retreat there—not to mention that, presumably, it would one day be his own, after his mother’s death—and where indeed he had always half lived, Philip had no other home but Parkhorne.
“You will no longer be a bachelor,” Philip said.“And having two bachelor brothers around—”
“What about Malcolm?”Severn asked.
“Yes, what about me?”Malcolm glowered.
Philip had always been a sweet boy, but the wine was making him irritating tonight.
“You are different,” Philip said.
“And why is that?”Malcolm pressed.“Because I did not go to Cambridge and don’t carry a silk handkerchief?”
A leaden silence fell between the brothers.
Philip frowned.“Of course not,” Philip said.“I meant because you have anoccupationat Parkhorne.You have a purpose.As steward.And the farm, of course.”
Malcolm hated himself in that moment.He had suspected the worst of Philip because he was feeling unsettled after that interaction with Miss Perkins.
Scarlett.
God, the way she had moaned when she bit into that strawberry…
He fought off the urge to relive that moment once more.He couldn’t get another cockstand at the table.One was far too many already.
