A Christmas Affair (29 page)

“Edward!” he exclaimed, moving forward unabashedly to take his brother in a fond embrace. Evidently the easy affection of the Lawrence household was having a salutary effect upon him, he decided, his lips quirking in a rueful smile as he stepped back. “It is good to see you!”

“So I gathered,” Edward, Sixth Duke of Stonebridge, replied with an answering smile, his brown eyes bright with affection as he studied his younger brother’s face. His slender hand trembled as he lightly touched the angry scar on Justin’s cheek. “A small token from one of your Spanish ladies?”

“More like a Spanish partisan,” Justin said, shrugging aside the memory of the ambush that had almost taken his eye. “But what of you? How have you been? You must tell me all.” And he led Edward to one of the large chairs set before the crackling fire.

“Not much to tell, old boy,” Edward said, helping himself to the contents of the cellarette with his customary indifference to custom. “Society’s a dashed bore, and the House of Lords is even worse. If it weren’t for my little investments, would have succumbed to the
ennui
eons ago.”

“Your little investments?” Justin repeated, remembering his plans to discuss Edward’s finances with him.

Oh, this and that.” Edward waved his snifter of brandy,
about indifferently. “A fellow ought to have a passion, you know.”

“But a rather expensive passion, don’t you think?” Justin pressed, thinking of the large fortune Edward must have already lost. The money was his to do with as he pleased, of course, but Justin’s more cautious nature cried out at such a waste.

“All passions are expensive, dear boy; I should have thought you already knew that.” Edward gave his brother a judicious look. “And at least with my passion, I needn’t worry that she will betray me, or run off with the family silver!”

“How much have you lost?” Justin decided to cut to the heart of the matter, praying he wouldn’t offend Edward’s sensibilities.

He needn’t have feared, for Edward tilted his head back and gave a merry laugh. “No more than I can afford, little brother,” he said, giving Justin a fond look. “Why? Did you think I would lose your inheritance before I was even half in my grave?”

“Edward, I never meant to imply that —”

“Oh, don’t fret, Justin,” Edward laughed, shaking his head at his brother’s look of consternation. “I was only twigging you! Of course I wouldn’t do anything so foolish as to risk your inheritance! Especially after you have nobly sacrificed yourself on the altar of matrimony,” he added with a teasing grin. “I can not tell you how much I appreciate the gesture. Things were getting decidedly uncomfortable there for a while.”

“What do you mean?” Justin asked, grateful Edward hadn’t taken offense.

“Lady Deidre Howell.” Edward grimaced slightly. “The newest reigning beauty whose comely appearance is only surpassed by her avarice. She has already gone through
her late husband’s fortune and is said to be on the catch for another. She was stalking me like one of those great jungle cats one reads about, but thankfully news of your betrothal cooled her ardor, especially when I made it obvious that I was deeding everything over to you. Up until then, you see she was certain I would
have
to marry, if only to see to the succession.” He gave Justin a cheeky wink. “She was the second person I told about your coming nuptials. Aunt was most incensed, I can tell you.”

“Who was the first?” Justin smiled to think of his aunt’s fury at not being apprised of the situation.

“My solicitor, Henry Teale. You did say I was to contact him for you.”

“Henry Teale?” Justin frowned in confusion. “I thought Sir Alec Creshton was your solicitor.”

Edward shook his head. “Old Creshton popped off last year,” he said. “I was certain I wrote you about it; it was dashed amusing, you know. The old goat had sneaked his latest doxy into his house, and when he died in the . . . er. . . heat of battle one might say, the silly creature screeched the house down. Are you quite sure I didn’t write you?”

“Quite sure,” Justin replied firmly. “Blast it, I have been sending all my correspondence to Creshton’s office. . . .”

“Oh, if that’s all that’s bothering you, you may relax.” Edward poured more brandy into his glass. “Teale took over old Creshton’s practice last August, and has been running it ever since. He’s a very good solicitor too, even if he is a trifle stuffy. The two of you ought to get along quite well, though.” He raised his glass in a mocking toast. “He is almost as stern in his notions as you are!”

“Thank you.” Justin inclined his head coolly, although his eyes gleamed with laughter. “Have you arranged for the church?”

“Teale is seeing to it. I told him I wanted you safely leg-shackled before you changed your mind . . . again.”

Justin flushed at his brother’s unspoken question. “I can explain about that,” he began, leaning forward intently.

“No need, old boy.” Edward waved his explanation aside. “I’m such an infamous clothhead that everyone took it for granted that I made a hash of the information you sent me. Think nothing of it.”

“What about Teale? He knows the truth.”

“He’s your solicitor,” Edward reminded him with a careless shrug. “Regardless of his feelings in the matter, I think you may count upon his discretion. After all, he is a Cit, and if he was to gossip about you, then you may be very sure he would lose each and every one of those highborn clients he has been at such pains to cultivate. But enough of that prosy fellow.” He set his glass down and looked at Justin expectandy. “When am I to be introduced to Amelia?”

“Amanda,” Justin corrected with a quick smile. “Her name is Amanda.”

“You see? I told you I can never get anything right.”

“I’ve promised Aunt Letty we would dine with her this evening; you can meet Amanda and the rest of the family then. Unless you have other plans?”

“Nothing I can’t cancel,” Edward said with a negligent shrug. “Family first, don’t you know. Besides, I must admit I’m most eager to make the twins’ acquaintance. If even half of what you’ve written of them is true, then I think it may be prudent to get on their good side as quickly as I can.”

At Edward’s insistence, Stephen and the twins were allowed to join the adults for dinner, a circumstance that
wasn’t at all pleasing to Lady Lettita’s pimply-faced son. He spent most of the meal with his nose buried in his mama’s best brandy, and Amanda wasn’t the least bit disappointed when he took his leave. His departure lightened the atmosphere considerably, and her first night in London passed quite pleasantly.

All too soon it was time for Justin and Edward to leave, and while Edward was busy flirting with his aunt, Justin took Amanda to one side.

“Have you made plans for tomorrow afternoon? Will you and the children be going out?” he asked, his eyes moving over her appreciatively. She was wearing one of the gowns he’d purchased in Godstone, and he thought the gold satin dress to be particularly flattering with her coloring.

“We might, although much will depend upon the weather,” she replied, doing her best to ignore his warm look. “If it is as cold out as it was today, I think we’ll stay indoors.”

“That will probably be wisest,” he agreed with a nod. “In fact, why don’t you wait until I can go with you? I know London quite well, and I should love showing it to you.”

“I’m sure the others would like that very much.” Amanda’s heart raced at the thought of spending even more time in Justin’s company. “Although I daresay the twins will be chomping at the bit to be out. They’ve already drawn up a formidable itinerary.”

“The waxworks?”

“And Gentleman Jackson’s salon, and a list of gaming hells that would put a rake to the blush,” she admitted with a laugh. “Why do you ask? Is there somewhere you wish to go?”

“I thought we might visit Dover House and check on
the preparations,” he ansered, grinning at the thought of the twins turned loose in one of London’s gambling dens. “I will be at my solicitor’s for the better part of the morning, but we could go afterward, say after lunch?”

“That will be fine,” she said, doing some swift calculations. Lady Lettita had said something about going to the modiste’s but she wouldn’t let that stop her. “Will you be dining with us?”

“No.” He shook his head regretfully. “I have some other business to attend to, and I’ve no idea when I shall be free. Amanda?”

“Yes?” She heard the intimate note that had crept into his deep voice and cast him a curious look.

“I’m pleased the others are looking forward to my company,” he said, his strong hands cupping her shoulders and drawing her slowly to him. “But what of you? Would
you
like to spend the day with me?”

She met his steady golden gaze, her heart pounding with an emotion she dared not name. “Yes,” she said softly, “I would like that very much.”

“Good.” Justin dipped his head to brush a warm kiss against her lips. “Until tomorrow then, my love.”

Chapter Sixteen

The next morning dawned even colder, and both Justin and Edward were shivering as they were escorted into Mr. Teale’s office. The solicitor was a tall, cadaverously thin man, whose receding hairline and watery blue eyes gave him the appearance of a country cleric. But once he began talking, there was no mistaking his profession.

“I must say I find your coming nuptials to be most troubling, m’lord; most troubling, indeed,” he said, peering at Justin over the rim of his spectacles. “Am I to understand that your bride, a Miss . . .” he consulted his notes, “a Miss Lawrence is an orphan with less than three hundred pounds per anum and no bridal portion to speak of?”

“Yes,” Justin’s voice had an edge to it that would have warned a more astute man. “May I ask how this concerns you?”

Mr. Teale’s beaklike nose twitched in annoyance. “I am your elder brother’s solicitor,” he reminded Justin with a sniff. “It is my duty to insure that His Grace’s interests are protected.”

“I fail to see how my marrying Amanda can possibly endanger Edward,” Justin said coldly. The little lawyer’s audacity infuriated him, and it was all he could do to answer
his insinuating questions in a civil manner.

“You are the second son,” Mr. Teale continued in a reproving voice, “and as such you are obliged to make an alliance that will strengthen the family’s coffers, not weaken them. Miss Lawrence has neither the breeding nor the fortune to make this marriage anything other than a
mesálliance,
and I urge you to reconsider before it is too late.”

Edward took one look at his brother’s face and gave a light laugh. “Oh, cut line, Teale,” he said, hoping to forestall the violence he saw flashing in Justin’s eyes. “This is surely much ado about nothing. Let my brother marry the chit if that is his wish. And you wrong her to say she brings nothing to the marriage. She brings her whole family, and a more delightful group of assets I have yet to meet.”

“Yes, three young boys who will require schooling, and two girls to be provided with dowries,” Mr. Teale said, his lips pursing with disapproval. “You may call them “assets,” Your Grace, but I can not. There is the succession to be thought of—”

Justin surged to his feet, his patience at an end. “What you choose to call my
family
is of little interest to me,” he snarled with deadly fury. “I sent you a list of instructions, Teale, and all I require from you is that you carry them out. Should that prove too difficult, there are other lawyers in London.”

Mr. Teale’s pallid face grew red with angry embarrassment. He picked up another pile of papers and began leafing through them. “In regards to your country house, I have written your manager, and he assures me all is in readiness,” he said, not raising his eyes from the document. “Also, you are now the fifth Viscount Marston, and in addition to the property mentioned above, you have several holdings in Kent. Your annual income from these properties is slightly over ten thousand pounds. Not a large amount, but more than enough to keep you in style.”

“And the church?” Justin had returned to his chair, but he
was still far from mollified.

“As you mentioned no specific date in your first letter, I have been unable to secure St. George’s,” Mr. Teale replied in prim tones. “Might I suggest one of the other churches? St. Michael’s is quite lovely and better suited for . . .” he paused delicately, “smaller weddings.”

“St. George’s,” Justin answered in a voice of steely command. “All my ancestors were married there, and I don’t mean to be the exception. As for the date, the afternoon of January tenth will be fine. See to it.”

“But, my lord, that gives me less than a fortnight! You can not expect me to—”

“See to it,” Justin repeated, pleased to see the other man so discomfitted. “As I have already said, you are not the only lawyer in London. Unless you wish to seek one out, you will do as you are instructed. Am I understood?”

Henry Teale’s face darkened. “You are understood,” he said tonelessly.

Justin and Edward quickly departed, and once they were in their coach, Justin confronted his brother. “How the devil can you stomach that sanctimonious little worm?” he demanded furiously. “I vow, I came that close to snapping his scrawny neck!”

“So I noticed,” Edward replied, unperturbed by Justin’s show of temper. “But I did warn you he was rather nice in his notions.”

“He’s an insufferable prig, and I’ve half a notion to take my trade elsewhere!” Justin snapped, hunching his shoulders against the cold. “How dare he presume to pass judgement on Amanda?” He was silent for a few moments, and then cast Edward a worried look as a sudden thought occurred to him. “You don’t agree with him, do you?”

“Me?” Edward gave a soft chuckle. “Good God, no. I have said that I approve of your choice, and I am dashed grateful for it. Since your engagement was announced, the matchmaking mamas have washed their hands of me.”

Justin knew Edward was attempting to divert him, and he was oddly touched. He pushed aside his anger with the solicitor and shot Edward a teasing grin. “Really? And what of your avaricious widow? Has she also washed her hands of you?”

“Yes, may God be praised,” Edward intoned piously. “And speaking of Lady Deidre, you will have the dubious honor of making her acquaintance. She and Aunt are bosom beaus and she will be attending the party.”