Chapter 2 #2
His wife would certainly not show such ill manners, and if she did, she would feel the flat of his hand on her upturned backside soon afterward.
However, he was even more eager to meet up with this young lady than before.
And her grandmother. All of this would be moot if the chit’s father were still alive, surely.
Had they been notified of her father’s passing?
Not that he could find. He would need to get someone to find out this information in the future. He hated loose ends.
When Lady Georgiana Weston returned, she was accompanied by Oliver’s youngest brother, Walter.
Walter had found himself engaged several weeks ago and was stupidly happy.
Except for, it seemed, the time leading up to the nuptials.
Oliver took the opportunity to tease him often.
The middle brother, Andrew, was in France.
Walter entered behind their mother, laughing at something that had been said. Oliver took his opportunity.
“Ah, if it isn’t the lovesick cow come following you home, mother.”
“Lovesick bull, if you don’t mind, brother.” They laughed together as they hugged heartily.
“Yes, alright, if you must. How is the fair Lady Rowena?”
“Beside herself, most days. Mother, I need a drink. Shall you join us?”
“No. I’m headed for my chambers and to have a lie down. I already had my tea at the Whitcomb’s so I will see you at dinner.” Lady Weston and her maid headed upstairs.
“Oliver, I love Rowena, but this marriage business was created to see if the parties will crack before the nuptials.”
“How so? The wedding itself is simple.”
“Yes, but the engagement ball, then the attendance of all the celebratory parties in your honor, then the wedding breakfast. Then there is the moving of Rowena’s things to my home and all that goes with that.
Next, the honeymoon arrangements so we may be away for a number of weeks without the affairs of the estate to hinder our time.
Then to decide who will know where we are. It is all too much.”
“You aren’t staying home?”
“Too many people to meddle in our alone time. No, I’m thinking Europe.”
“If you are able to leave your estate, I would agree.”
“Brother, you have the lion’s share of responsibility. I can leave easier than you. Our estate is small in comparison. Thanking our birth order for that right now.”
“True. Happy to accommodate your needs, little brother.” Oliver laughed.
“Besides all of the other things, there is deciding who is to be invited to the engagement ball, to the small dinner parties before the wedding. Then there is the first ball as a married couple before we can be rid of the rest of the world and be ourselves. Alone.”
“Surely the first ball comes after the honeymoon.”
“Yes, thankfully.”
Oliver handed the crystal glass with a good bit of whiskey inside to his brother as he continued to bemoan his fate.
“Well then don’t marry her and be done with the whole affair.”
The heavy glass landed with considerable force on the side table. “What?”
“It would solve these problems.”
“And create a hell of a lot more. It’s the noise before the vows that I don’t like. I simply want to marry my love and take her to bed.”
Oliver barked his laugh. “I’m sure that will happen.”
“Yes. I imagine it will, eventually.”
“In fact, it might lessen your tension if you married her in secret then take her to bed you will have avoided the public spectacle.”
“Rowena and her mother would not allow it. Especially her mother. My fate is sealed. Now, who is in your crosshairs?”
“No one.”
“Come on, Oliver. You have to have your eye on at least one.”
“I’ve been too busy. It will happen at some point.
Right now, I am knee deep into father’s affairs and making them my own.
Tell me,” said Walter after taking a sip of his whiskey, “what do you know about this girl father agreed to guardian? Now I am on the hook if she is left alone to manage her estate before she is twenty-five years old.”
“Really? All I remember is what I overheard him say once to mother. He thought she a bonny child with little male oversight. He would have liked to have taken her home if her grandmothers had allowed it. But they doted on her. He said she was a bit headstrong but that it would serve her well when she was left to do as she pleases.”
Oliver nodded. “He must have been taken with her. Twelve when she lost her mother, I hear. Well, he made sure that her care was part of his will should she need the protection. I now have the dubious task of watching over her if the situation should arise.”
“She might have turned into quite a beauty.”
“Yes, she might have, but I do not need a headstrong woman in my life. I have Mother.”
“But a woman who doesn’t hang on your every breath would be a relief, I would think. You are an extremely wealthy, sought-after husband, so Mother tells me,” Walter teased. “You can’t have a sniveling goodie as your wife. No vice will be allowed without torment.”
“I am lord of my own home and will do as I choose,” said Oliver.
Walter laughed. “If you think your wife won’t have you wrapped around her little finger, you have no clear idea about love. I cherish the moment you fall.”
“I don’t have to love the woman I marry.”
“I promise you, it is a windfall if you do,” said Walter. “Mark my words. You will want to love or have a deep affection for your spouse.”
“We shall see.”
“Indeed.”