Chapter Four
As the butler announced him, Arthur walked deeper into the drawing room.
In front of the fire stood his brother-in-law Graham.
Roxanne, his sister, sat on a gold wing-backed chair.
The pair were in the middle of a conversation, but seeing him, whatever they had been discussing was forgotten.
He was late and was sure Roxanne would let him know it.
She believed in punctuality and that everyone should do their best to be on time.
“Arthur, you made it. I was sure you’d forgotten,” Roxanne said with a hint of mischief in her voice.
“I’m a duke. The rules don’t apply,” he replied without missing a beat. He arched a brow and smiled at his sibling.
Graham, in the meantime, brought him a glass of whiskey. “We’re glad to see you. Have you found who owns that gray horse that keeps showing up?”
“Yes, and I met the elusive owner,” he replied, accepting the crystal glass of liquor.
“Who did it end up being?” Roxanne asked.
“It belongs to Lady Daphne Waterton, daughter of Viscount Andover.”
“Did you meet Lady Waterton or was she not in residence?” Roxanne had a mischievous smile on her face. Arthur knew right then, because a young woman was involved, his sister was going to have fun.
“I did meet the lady. Her parents are not in residence,” he replied.
“I hope she was grateful you returned her horse,” Graham said.
“What was she like, Lady Daphne?” Roxanne asked.
Arthur thoughtfully took a sip of his whiskey before answering. “Lady Daphne is very self-centered, condescending, and rude. To make matters worse, she has a parrot named Sam who cusses like a sailor.”
“Fascinating,” Graham interjected.
“I saw nothing fascinating about it. The bird is just like his mistress in temperament, though I will admit I never heard the lady utter those words.”
“Lady Daphne is coming to our house party, so be nice if you run into her, which I’m sure you will,” Roxanne said as she watched her brother closely. Her eyes never left his face.
“I was certain she would be. Please do me a favor and don’t seat us together or anything else that might force us to talk.”
“You’re usually not one to rush to judgment. You give people a chance. Your distaste for the lady is curious.”
Taking a sip of his whiskey, Arthur turned his attention to Graham, who was trying his best not to smile. “Talk some sense into her.”
Graham bit back a laugh and put both hands in the air in mock horror. “You’re on your own. I’ve made it my mission not to get involved in these sorts of matters.”
“I’ll give you a schedule of the events and place a check next to the ones I’d like to have you attend,” Roxanne said.
“I can’t wait,” Arthur said sarcastically. He finished off his whiskey and placed the glass down on a nearby table.
“What are you going to do if the gray shows up on your estate again?” Graham asked. He was trying to get the conversation on to another subject.
“I’ll return the animal, but I’ll also find the butler and ask if he knows how to contact the viscount. I will apprise him of the situation.”
“You don’t think that’ll make the situation worse?” Roxanne asked.
“No, but frankly I don’t care.”
At that moment, the butler announced dinner was ready.
“Perhaps our butler might be able to find the information you require through Lady Daphne’s butler,” Roxanne said as her devoted husband assisted her to her feet.
Arthur had known they would be good for each other.
They were sickeningly happy and deeply in love.
If any one person deserved happiness, it was his sister.
Their father had arranged a marriage for her, and the man chosen for her was cruel.
Roxanne would stay clear of him as much as possible as the man thought of women as second-class citizens.
Arthur could only wish he might one day find such happiness as she currently had.
Once they were all seated at the large mahogany dining table, Arthur realized he was hungrier than he realized. Knowing how meticulous his sister was, he concluded that this dinner would be a dry run for one she would serve during her house party.
“Which dinner are we testing this evening?” he asked as he accepted a glass of wine a footman had poured.
“This one is what will be served for the night before the ball,” she replied.
“You’re going to have a ball?”
She graced him with a smile. “But of course. The ball will be a masquerade. I think they’re so much fun.”
“Exactly how many people are you expecting to show up at this house party?” Arthur asked.
“Six couples will be staying here, then we have guests who live nearby and will travel to and from their homes. I expect approximately twenty. Just the perfect size. Not too big, not too small.”
“Not to worry, Arthur. I have shooting and hunting excursions planned, along with card and billiard games,” Graham said with a grin on his face.
He seemed to enjoy seeing his old friend and brother-in-law uncomfortable.
Arthur would never admit it, but he hated these sorts of parties.
Even if it were a good place to find one’s future duchess.
“We’ve also got plenty planned as a way for guests to mingle and get to know each other,” Roxanne interjected.
“I’m sure you’ve thought of everything,” Arthur replied with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
The soup course was served, a cold asparagus soup which Arthur found quite refreshing.
His sister was always trying something new like this soup.
It had garlic and cream and was topped off with a small stalk of asparagus.
He noted Graham was eating with gusto, which ended when Roxanne set her spoon down.
Soup bowls were replaced with a plate of two lamb chops accompanied by mint sauce. “The lamb is from the estate,” Roxanne announced.” I’ve done my best to use only local products. You can’t get more local than one’s own estate.”
“It is delicious, and you know how particular I am about lamb,” Arthur said as he took a second bite.
“I wanted to do something a bit different. Everyone serves roast of pork or beef or roast chicken. Ham was my second choice.”
“I’m glad you decided on this,” Graham said.
Roxanne smiled and took another bite of lamb. “I’m glad you both approve.”
“What’s next?” Arthur asked as he set down his knife and fork on an empty plate.
“Vegetables. I’m going to use whatever is available. Dessert will be strawberries or a mixture of fruit with cream on top.”
“You’ve outdone yourself, Rox. People are going to talk about this house-party for some time,” Arthur said.
Dinner continued with polite conversation, with the focus being on the meal rather than anything else. When the trio finally finished, they all returned to the drawing room where the men had their port and cigars and Roxanne partook with a small snifter of brandy.
“Arthur? You do have a mask for the ball, don’t you?”
He gazed at her with interest. “I’m sure my valet can come up with one.”
“I’ve had one made for you.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I know how forgetful you can be, especially when it comes to things like a masquerade ball.”
He nodded. “Thank you. That’s quite thoughtful.”
“Are you going to take your seat in Parliament?” Graham asked suddenly.
“Yes. It’s time, and there’s some legislation I would like to know more of.” Arthur and Roxanne’s late father had held the seat from the time his own father died. Now it was time for Arthur to take his place.
“I think you’ll do a splendid job,” Graham added.
“Thanks. I’m going to try my best.”
“You’ve always had an interest in what goes on in Parliament. Ever since Papa took you as a young boy,” Roxanne said.
“It’s true. I love seeing how laws and bills are made.”
Graham sat down in a dark-gold upholstered chair near his wife. “You’re a great debater. I remember that from university. I have no doubt it’ll come back to you effortlessly.”
“Everyone will be returning to London soon. Parliament reconvenes the first of November this year,” Arthur said.
The conversation continued, politics forgotten, to Mary and how she was thriving.
She was a good baby and Roxanne and Graham were both enamored of her.
Arthur finally saw an opportunity open for him to make his departure.
He had taken his carriage only because it was a moonless night and not particularly made for riding.
Goodbyes were said and Arthur settled in for the short ride home.
It had been an enjoyable evening. His sister was keeping her bride hunting to a minimum.
She now, however, knew of the viscount’s daughter living at the family estate alone, without chaperone.
If she had one, they hadn’t made their presence known.
He hoped Roxanne wouldn’t make a point of inviting the girl for tea or calling upon her.
He was planning on contacting the viscount to let him know what had been going on.
He’d have to be subtle about how he brought his daughter into the conversation.
He didn’t want to ruffle any feathers with his neighbor.
Arthur smiled, thinking about the parrot the girl kept.
He wondered if the bird had that much freedom when the viscount and his family were in residence.
He couldn’t imagine the viscountess allowing the parrot to have free roam of the residence.
He found his way to his rooms once he arrived back.
It was fairly early by his standards but he didn’t want to spend time in one of the large rooms alone.
Having a good book he’d been meaning to read, his sitting room was perfect.
He could sit in front of the fire with a brandy and read with no interruption.