Chapter 2 #2
“I’m glad to be home, too,” Milo promised, settling the child in his arms and rocking him.
“Now, off to sleep with you, Charlie boy. I insist you obey your big brother and do as I say. Papa has guests to entertain and must dress appropriately. Dinner, port and cigars later, all of which you are far too young to partake in yet.”
Father chuckled weakly, turned away before sinking into a chair by the fire with a groan. He rubbed his hands over his face. Milo paced the room, concerned about his father’s state, while he studied his brother’s chubby face.
From what he could see, Charlie resembled the duchess slightly more than the duke, but at this young age, his features could still change a great deal more, and perhaps his hair might turn fair like they all once were.
Charlie seemed darker but his hair was turning to curls. His small fist was clenched against his mouth, and a look of discomfort suddenly crossed his face.
Milo adjusted him up onto his shoulder, drawing up his knees beneath him, and after a moment, the boy passed wind loudly.
The duke looked around in surprise. “Why didn’t I think of that?”
Milo smiled. “Because you haven’t slept properly for days, I expect. Have you eaten today, Father?”
“Yes,” Papa promised, but then he squinted at Milo. “You came directly here from somewhere?”
“Yes. I was at the estate of a friend. Reynolds.”
“You rode from there?”
He nodded. “My carriage will arrive soon.”
Father subsided with a heavy sigh. “Well, your sisters will be overjoyed to know you haven’t abandoned your children. Rebecca was asking only yesterday what kept you away for so long.”
“And Jessica, too, I suppose?”
The duke sighed. “Jessica is preoccupied with offspring of her own these days.”
“Of course. How is Whitfield taking to fatherhood?”
“He looks astonished every time he holds his son. He never expected children of his own, I suspect.”
Milo laughed softly. “No one thought the last bachelor in the district would ever wed. And to my sister? But he was always fondest of her. Once she decided it was love between them, he stood no chance of escape.”
“I don’t believe he’s once complained about the loss of his bachelorhood,” the duke said with a laugh.
Milo believed his sister’s marriage to his oldest friend—his father’s best friend—was a good match for Jessica, but it had caught the family by surprise.
Gideon was not titled, but he was sensible and wealthy in his own right.
A good man. The marriage also kept Jessica close to the ducal estate, and to Papa, which made it instantly acceptable to everyone.
Milo made a mental note to call there tomorrow to see the pair—no, a trio now—and share his news with them as well. If Jessica were the last in the family to know about his marriage, she would never forgive him.
As he passed his father’s chair, he noticed his head droop, and he held his tongue about his plans for tomorrow. Milo took Charlie toward the tall windows overlooking the gardens, determined to allow his papa to fall sleep if he could.
“Nicholas?”
Milo spun about as the door to the duchess’ chamber swung fully open, revealing his stepmother, Gillian. The duchess looked dazed, ten times sleepier than Papa had seemed.
She blinked when she noticed Milo in the room, and holding her son no less. She cast an anxious gaze about the room for her husband and sighed when she spotted him.
Milo drew closer to the duchess, bent awkwardly into a bow. “Father is resting.”
“I should take him from you,” she whispered, reaching for her son.
“No, no. I volunteered.” He glanced over at his father and noticed that the duke’s chin now rested on his chest. “I should have been told you were having difficulties with the boy.”
“Isn’t that what marriage and parenthood is all about?” she said with a soft laugh. “Suffering and sleepless nights and endless worry.”
“I suppose so.” He glanced toward the window, worried about how long it would take for Amelia to arrive.
“It’s good to see you home again, Milo,” Gillian whispered, drawing his attention back to her. “Your father has missed you.”
Milo nodded.
He and Gillian were not as close as his sisters were to her.
That was not to say he disapproved or approved of her.
It wasn’t his place to make that judgment.
She made his father happy. She’d caused no scandal so far and was seemingly content to spend her days wherever Papa wanted her to be, which was always with him.
He watched her creep toward her husband and peer at his face, a soft smile playing on her lips. Milo winced at how obvious her affection was. How true. He’d never have that in his marriage.
“He’s out cold,” she whispered.
“I’m not asleep,” Father protested, head rising. “I’m merely resting until the next bout of wailing starts.”
Father caught hold of his wife’s hand and pulled her down to sit in his lap. The pair cuddled each other, and Papa kissed her brow. “You were supposed to be resting, my dear,” he complained.
“I heard voices and thought you were having trouble with Charlie again, or one of the guests had come up to bother you.”
“Charles has his big brother wrapped around his finger instead, as you can see,” he said.
Milo noticed Charlie had settled into sleep and patted himself on the back. “It is the other way round, I would say.”
Since Charles was asleep at last, Milo moved toward his father’s large bed, placed some pillows around the edges, and slowly and gently lay his brother down. The boy squirmed a little, and Milo held his breath a moment. But he did subside, and Milo remained close until he was properly under.
Eventually, he backed away and went to sit opposite his papa and Gillian.
“You need help,” he told them. “Can you not hire a decent nursemaid to take care of him for you?”
“You know I disapprove of simply handing off children to servants,” Papa said sternly.
Milo winced and glanced at Gillian. She did not say she agreed with her husband, but she did not dispute the duke’s decision, either. Milo wondered if that was because Gillian was a new mother and anxious to never let her only child out of her sight.
She had taken care of Jessica as a governess just for the one year before Jessica made her come out, but it was obvious she needed someone else to support her—and the duke—now at this challenging time of Charlie’s life.
Milo would probably meddle, but not right this instant. He would wait a few days to speak his mind, and perhaps Father would relent and allow Gillian more help.
He looked at them together, so obviously in love, so obviously overwhelmed by parenthood, and winced. It may not be the best time to introduce further change into their lives…but he had no choice. “I have some important news to share.”
“Oh? Have you finally decided to move home to Stapleton to stay?” Papa teased. “We can announce it tonight at dinner if you like.”
Milo shook his head quickly. “No, Papa. I enjoy my independence and having an estate of my own.”
“But you’re seldom there.” Papa sighed. “You’ll be leaving your children here again, I suppose?”
“No. We’re all going home this time.”
Father appeared crestfallen.
“Papa, you do not need me constantly underfoot.”
“This estate is your inheritance,” Father complained. “You should be involved in what happens here.”
“And I will be, but not now,” he promised. “The distant future is not the subject I want to discuss with you right now.”
Father blinked. “Perhaps Phillipa can convince you to stay.”
Milo groaned. “Not a chance.”
“Why not marry her at last?” Father raised a brow. “Given your long acquaintance, I hoped this time you might finally get around to asking for her hand in marriage. She is in a word, perfect for you.”
Milo gaped, appalled by his father’s attempt at meddling. But he was far too late. “Father—I am a married man. Married this morning, in fact.”
Father shifted the duchess into her own seat and burst to his feet. “The hell you are!”
Charles, startled by Papa’s outburst, started to cry again.