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James nodded. "In a few weeks, I shall be getting married." He paused, then added with a dry expression, "Again to Olivia."

Hubert's eyebrows shot upwards. "Why?" he echoed, pushing away from the table. "Why on earth would you need to marry Olivia again? You are already married."

James sighed, knowing this question was inevitable. "Because Olivia wants a proper wedding with her sisters present," he explained, his gaze briefly shifting toward the window. "And I mean to give it to her."

"All right," Hubert said eventually, folding his arms. "How can I help?"

James was relieved that Hubert had not made more of the matter. "Make the arrangements, and we shall need to stay at the London house," he replied.

Hubert's face changed immediately. "My London house?" he asked, pointing toward himself.

James gave him a level look. "It is my house. You only have temporary ownership while I deal with this inheritance-clause nonsense my father arranged."

Hubert gave a low chuckle. "According to the will, James, that house belongs to me until you have an heir."

"Indeed," James replied, leaning back in his chair. "And I have an heir now. Just not publicly."

Hubert's expression changed at once, and the amusement vanished from his face. For a moment, neither man spoke. James knew precisely what his uncle was thinking, and he could hardly blame him. Felix was a secret, a vulnerable little boy whose existence could alter the entire future of Glenmore if the truth emerged too soon. Hubert had spent years helping James navigate his father's peculiar arrangements, and now James was asking him to accept another secret without hesitation.

James watched the concern settle across Hubert's features and felt an unexpected pang of sympathy.

"I know what you are thinking," he said.

Hubert gave him a wary glance. "Do you?"

James nodded. "You are worried that having my wife staying at your … my house will ruin your bachelor existence and stop whatever entertainments you usually … enjoy."

Hubert snorted. "I was not going to say ruin."

James's mouth twitched. "You were thinking it."

Hubert laughed and raised both hands in surrender. "Perhaps I was."

James walked toward the drinks cabinet, though he did not pour himself another drink. "It will only be for a while," he assured him. "Once the wedding is over, we shall return to Glenmore."

"Of course, nephew," Hubert said with a grin. "Anything you need." He paused, then his expression became more serious. "But I would like to meet the heir."

James looked at him, and for the first time since Hubert had entered the room, he did not feel the instinct to protect Felix from even those closest to him. Instead, he found himself considering the request properly.

Hubert is family.

More importantly, Hubert was one of the very few people James trusted completely. He had stood beside James through his father's cruelty, helped him manage the estate, and accepted his decisions even when he disagreed with them. There could be no harm in allowing him to meet the child.

And if anything should happen to me, I would trust my uncle to handle the situation with Felix and Olivia. Setting them up nicely, therefore he should know where Felix is and meet him.

James thought of Felix's small face, the purple-red mark stretching down one side, and Olivia's immediate refusal to allow anyone to call him cursed or deformed. He thought of the baby's tiny fingers curling around Olivia's hand, and the way Felix had seemed to settle whenever James held him, despite James's initial awkwardness.

My son.

The words were still strange even inside his own mind. Publicly, Felix was not yet his son, but privately James had begun to think of him as exactly that.

"All right," James said at last.

Hubert looked surprised by how quickly he had agreed. "You may meet him."

Hubert smiled, but James raised a hand before he could speak. "But you must understand that no one else can know where he is. Not yet."

Hubert's expression became solemn as he nodded. "You have my word."