provincial theater.”
Now it seemed to be Jack’s turn to laugh, but it was a short-lived relaxation of tension between the brothers. “I won’t ask why you’re following Dickie, for that’s self-explanatory. But what do you want with me? Oh, and don’t fret about our destination. Henry’s coachmanhas been warned that he is to proceed slowly enough that yours doesn’t lose him.”
“How you ease my mind,” Puck said, that mind actually racing at least three leagues beyond the simple matter of their destination. “Our parents are in good health, or were when I last saw them before coming to town. You did mean to inquire about them, I’m sure.”
“I did? No, I don’t think so.”
“Really? Then you don’t know that Papa wishes to speak to all three of us together, at the estate?”
“All three of us? At one and the same time? He may be doomed to disappointment.”
“Especially if our mother is there?” Puck opined, wishing there was more light inside the coach so he could see his brother’s expression, not that the man ever gave anything away. “I never believed you’re afraid of her. And yet you were so careful to avoid her last year, when we buried Abigail.”
“We buried the Marchioness of Blackthorn, our mother’s sister. I paid my respects to Abby, which was all that was necessary.”
“Yes, you did. In the dead of night, with none but the servants to know about it before you were off on your way again. Mama nearly suffered an apoplexy when she spied the token you’d left behind.” Puck waved a hand in front of him to erase the words. “No, let’s not travel there right now, shall we? I originally wanted to find you tonight to tell you about Papa’s request. He really does want all three of us at Blackthorn.”
“So he only has to say once whatever it is that he seems to think he needs to say?”
Puck nodded. “Yes, whatever that thing is. He was going to tell Beau last year, as Beau tells it, but then changed his mind when Abby…when the Marchioness died. I would like to be able to tell Papa you’ll agree to come to the estate, even give him a date for the thing. Sometime other than in the dead of night would probably be preferable. He’s not growing younger with each passing year, Jack, and he apparently feels he needs to say what it is he wants to say as soon as may be. Not that Mama approves.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t,” Jack said tightly. “You may inform the marquess that I’ll give his request some consideration. But not at the moment, I’m afraid. I’ve other business that will keep me occupied for a time.”
“One question, Jack. Which of the two do you hate more? Our mother or our father?”
Gaston slowly sank low onto his spine as he sat beside Black Jack.
“The puppy has grown fangs, I see,” Jack said, reaching out to hold on to the strap as the coach turned a particularly sharp corner, revealing the shape of one strong, long-fingered hand, a discreet fall of lace extending from his cuff and a large, black onyx stone set in gold adorning his index finger.
“The puppy hasn’t been a puppy for a long time, Jack. And I’m only two years your junior. I propose a pact. I won’t again underestimate you if you agree not to underestimate me.”
“After the way you’ve turned the tables on Henry and Dickie, neatly maneuvering them into introducing you to Society? Be careful of Will Browning, he’s no man’s fool. He might even make a good ally, should you ever need one. But all right. Agreed. Now, what was the second reason you wanted to see me tonight? Telling me about the marquess’s summons was only the original one.”
“Caught that, did you?” Puck was more than happy to leave the subject of their parents behind them and move on to other, actually safer, ground. He did not underestimate himself, either, but he would be a fool and unfair to the missing Miranda if he did not avail himself of all the help he could enlist.
“The cousin of
Now it seemed to be Jack’s turn to laugh, but it was a short-lived relaxation of tension between the brothers. “I won’t ask why you’re following Dickie, for that’s self-explanatory. But what do you want with me? Oh, and don’t fret about our destination. Henry’s coachmanhas been warned that he is to proceed slowly enough that yours doesn’t lose him.”
“How you ease my mind,” Puck said, that mind actually racing at least three leagues beyond the simple matter of their destination. “Our parents are in good health, or were when I last saw them before coming to town. You did mean to inquire about them, I’m sure.”
“I did? No, I don’t think so.”
“Really? Then you don’t know that Papa wishes to speak to all three of us together, at the estate?”
“All three of us? At one and the same time? He may be doomed to disappointment.”
“Especially if our mother is there?” Puck opined, wishing there was more light inside the coach so he could see his brother’s expression, not that the man ever gave anything away. “I never believed you’re afraid of her. And yet you were so careful to avoid her last year, when we buried Abigail.”
“We buried the Marchioness of Blackthorn, our mother’s sister. I paid my respects to Abby, which was all that was necessary.”
“Yes, you did. In the dead of night, with none but the servants to know about it before you were off on your way again. Mama nearly suffered an apoplexy when she spied the token you’d left behind.” Puck waved a hand in front of him to erase the words. “No, let’s not travel there right now, shall we? I originally wanted to find you tonight to tell you about Papa’s request. He really does want all three of us at Blackthorn.”
“So he only has to say once whatever it is that he seems to think he needs to say?”
Puck nodded. “Yes, whatever that thing is. He was going to tell Beau last year, as Beau tells it, but then changed his mind when Abby…when the Marchioness died. I would like to be able to tell Papa you’ll agree to come to the estate, even give him a date for the thing. Sometime other than in the dead of night would probably be preferable. He’s not growing younger with each passing year, Jack, and he apparently feels he needs to say what it is he wants to say as soon as may be. Not that Mama approves.”
“I’m sure she wouldn’t,” Jack said tightly. “You may inform the marquess that I’ll give his request some consideration. But not at the moment, I’m afraid. I’ve other business that will keep me occupied for a time.”
“One question, Jack. Which of the two do you hate more? Our mother or our father?”
Gaston slowly sank low onto his spine as he sat beside Black Jack.
“The puppy has grown fangs, I see,” Jack said, reaching out to hold on to the strap as the coach turned a particularly sharp corner, revealing the shape of one strong, long-fingered hand, a discreet fall of lace extending from his cuff and a large, black onyx stone set in gold adorning his index finger.
“The puppy hasn’t been a puppy for a long time, Jack. And I’m only two years your junior. I propose a pact. I won’t again underestimate you if you agree not to underestimate me.”
“After the way you’ve turned the tables on Henry and Dickie, neatly maneuvering them into introducing you to Society? Be careful of Will Browning, he’s no man’s fool. He might even make a good ally, should you ever need one. But all right. Agreed. Now, what was the second reason you wanted to see me tonight? Telling me about the marquess’s summons was only the original one.”
“Caught that, did you?” Puck was more than happy to leave the subject of their parents behind them and move on to other, actually safer, ground. He did not underestimate himself, either, but he would be a fool and unfair to the missing Miranda if he did not avail himself of all the help he could enlist.
“The cousin of
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