While Harrington pored over correspondence, Blake lounged in one of the two wingback chairs positioned near the window in the well-organized study. It had become routine for him to arrive each morn to join Harrington and his family to break their fast. At first, Blake had been disappointed to find that Lucy had decided to adjourn to the country. However, as each day passed, his intuition grew stronger that her departure was somehow related to him. Harrington had explained that his sister was visiting a friend in mourning, but he was rather vague about the details.
Blake had been waiting for days for the right opportunity to bring up the topic of Lucy. Should he disclose his longtime infatuation with his best friend’s sister? His inability to forget a face was considered a boon by most. However, there were times he considered it a curse.
Lucy’s image had remained at the forefront of his thoughts since the day he laid eyes on her. Every night for nearly a decade, she came to him as soon as he closed his eyes to sleep. For years he had tried to banish the vision of her, especially after Harrington had informed him of her attachment to Lord Taylor. His errant mind stubbornly held on to her features, specifically her ever-changing gray-blue eyes.
Blinking to release the image of Lucy, Blake focused his gaze on his surroundings. In stark contrast to his own cold and sparsely filled town house, this room was a mix of comfort and practicality.
Blake commented, “Your household runs extremely efficiently, Harrington.”
“Now. But when I first inherited, wasn’t it the same year as yourself? How old were we?”
Blake recalled the year vividly—his parents had been taken in a carriage accident. “I was sixteen, which would have made you fourteen.”
Harrington’s eyes darted to meet Blake’s. “Well, my papa had many talents, but the management of the estates was not one of them. I tried my best, but being away at Eton made it difficult. When Lucy offered to take over, I didn’t hesitate, for she has a brilliant mind. By the time we graduated Oxford, she had everything in order, which made it all the easier for me to resume my responsibilities, although I have to say it is mighty time-consuming. How have you fared while away on the Continent?”
Blake turned to gaze out the window. He didn’t care to speak of his family, despite the passage of time; it was still painful to think of and refer to his parents.
On an exhale, he answered, “My papa was blessed with the talent for managing estate accounts, but he had also hired extremely talented stewards, whom I trusted to act on my behalf during my years away. I haven’t visited Shalford Castle, but I’ve been informed that apart from having to refurbish a few rooms, all is well.”
Blake didn’t mention that only a few staff remained since he had not taken up residence after he inherited. He had always managed to obtain an invitation to a friend’s house for the holidays, and then he left for the Continent.
“That reminds me. Lucy should return home tomorrow.”
It took every bit of Blake’s self-control not to press Harrington for details of Lucy’s absence. His original plan had been to visit Harrington in the hopes he would have an opportunity to apologize to Lady Lucy for not joining her for supper the other evening. But when Harrington informed him that she had left Town, he had patiently waited for her return. Tomorrow.
Lord Edward, Harrington’s eight-year-old brother, bounded into the room, full of exuberance. “Lucy’s to return tomorrow?”
“Yes. She promised to accompany me to the Emsworth ball tomorrow evening.”
Blake made a mental note to go through his salver to see if he had received an invitation to the event.
“Devonton, would you care to join us?”
“Perhaps.”
Lord Edward faced Blake solemnly. “I’d rather stay at home and read a book than have to deal with the nattering of the ladies.”
Blake had never heard the word. “Nattering?”
“Yes, nattering. I heard Lucy use the term.”
Harrington coughed. “Edward, you are not to eavesdrop on Lucy. In fact, no eavesdropping at all.”
“Well, it isn’t eavesdropping if the person is speaking loud enough for all London to hear, now is it?”
“Edward, please do not be obtuse. You know what I mean.”
“Yes, Matthew. No eavesdropping.”
Blake chuckled as Lord Edward crossed his fingers behind his back while making the promise to his brother. Just as quickly as he entered, the boy exited. “Harrington, he is too clever by half. You will have to keep an eye on him and put his intelligence to good use.”
Harrington groaned. “Please do not tell me you were implying I should introduce him to Archbroke.”
“Of course I wasn’t implying such a thing. More to the point, I was stating the fact.”
Lord Edward, being the second son, would need a purpose, and if Harrington didn’t believe the Home Office could use a brilliant mind, then Blake would speak to his own superiors. The Foreign Office’s leaders were more broad-minded. They even employed female agents, which Blake believed was ingenious. He held in a chuckle at the idea of Archbroke employing a female to assist the Home Office. If he did, it would have to be one remarkable woman to put up with him as a superior.
Harrington’s fingers tapped against the chair but stopped when he asked, “Do you miss wandering all over the Continent?”
“Not particularly.”
“To have seen and experienced new cities, different languages and cultures.” Harrington’s voice was tinged with longing.
In an effort to keep the conversation and his tone light yet still communicate the challenges he faced during his time away from home, Blake replied, “Perhaps now that the war is over, the Continent might be a tad more alluring, but the constant traipsing from one supposed safe haven to the next was not my ideal life. Being held captive for days, weeks, on end was not the adventure I assumed I’d signed up for when I agreed to assist the Foreign Office.”
“My apologies. I did not mean to remind you of those times.”
“No apologies necessary, Harrington. I’m no longer a young lad seeking adventure. I am of an age now that I need to attend to my duties here in England.” He had just declared he was in search of a wife. Would Harrington encourage him to consider Lucy?
“By duties, are you suggesting you want to become leg-shackled? You have only recently returned. We have time before we need to marry.”
“Harrington, a wife could help me ease back into society. I’m unaccustomed to having people about, and Town life is not to my liking. I’d prefer to find a wife and retreat to Shalford Castle.”
“Devonton, you are but four and twenty. We’ll find you a mistress and…”
“You are not listening. I don’t want a mistress, Harrington. I need a wife.”
“A wife… Huh.”
“Yes, one that has a mind.”
Harrington chimed in. “A bluestocking?”
“A woman that can easily converse on varied topics, fashion, politics…”
“Not a bluestocking then.”
“A lady who is beautiful inside and out.”
Had Harrington not realized Blake was describing Lucy? Did he not deem Blake worthy of his sister’s hand? Blake considered Harrington like a brother. Could it be that Harrington viewed Blake more like a brother to Lucy than a potential suitor? If that was the case, did she see him in the same light? He would seek her out later this eve and try to uncover how she perceived him.
Eager to return to his town house to look through his salver, Blake bid Harrington goodbye.