Chapter Nineteen
Aubrey had never understood the expression “drunk on love” until he, himself, had been intoxicated by the incredible Maeve Sullivan Nelson.
He was, quite simply, obsessed with his beautiful wife.
No matter how many times they made passionate love, he wanted more.
If he wasn’t with her, he was thinking about her and counting the hours until he could be alone with her again.
With his friends in residence, he was forced to go through the motions of being a proper host, of ensuring his guests were happy and well entertained.
However, after looking forward to their arrival for more than a year, he couldn’t be less interested in doing anything that didn’t also involve Maeve.
Fortunately, Derek and Simon were equally smitten with their wives and understood Aubrey’s predicament—and even teased him about his obvious desire for his wife.
The three couples and Justin had spent a delightful Sunday afternoon sailing in Narragansett Bay onboard the sleek, classic sailboat that Aubrey had named Sundowner before he’d met Maeve.
Next Season, he would change the boat’s name to honor her.
Earlier that morning, he had accompanied her to mass at St. Mary’s Church, on Spring Street and Memorial Boulevard.
Though he was Protestant, he had indulged his Catholic wife’s desire to attend mass, which probably had given his mother another round of fits when she heard where they had gone.
Not that he cared. Whatever Maeve wanted he wanted, too. It was that simple.
“Tell me,” Aubrey said to his friends that night over billiards, “does the marital madness become less so in time?”
“It hasn’t for me.” Derek aligned the cue with the ruthless precision that had him leading their summer billiards league by ten games over Simon, who was in second place.
Not surprisingly, Aubrey was in last place because he couldn’t care less about winning the games they played any chance they got between the seemingly endless social obligations.
He cared only about finishing the games so he could join his wife in bed as early as possible.
“If anything, the madness has become more so the longer we are together.”
“For me as well,” Simon said. “I’m well and truly besotted with my sweet Maddie.”
“What a bunch of pathetic fops you’ve turned out to be,” Justin said with his usual disdain for the lovelorn.
“So sorry to disappoint you, dear friend,” Derek said with a big smile. “And I, for one, cannot wait to throw your words back in your face when you meet the one that turns you into a fool like the rest of us.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” Justin muttered.
“We were just like you,” Simon reminded him, “until lightning struck.”
Justin stood next to the table, leaning on his cue. “Why do you think I prefer to be indoors?”
Derek barked out a laugh. “If you think you can avoid this sort of lightning by remaining indoors, you’re the biggest fool of all.”
Simon nodded. “He’s right. I got struck in a ballroom, which you know because you were there.”
“Yes, I was, and it was the most pathetic display I’d ever witnessed until we arrived here and were treated to Aubrey panting after poor Maeve like a bitch in heat.”
Aubrey tugged dramatically at his collar, endlessly amused by his friends. “It’s rather warm around here this summer.”
“It sure is,” Simon said. “Something about the sea air has made my wife even more agreeable than usual.”
“Which is saying something,” Derek said dryly. “From what I’ve witnessed at home, Mrs. Simon Eagan is nothing if not agreeable toward her husband.”
“She does rather love me.”
“Someone’s gotta,” Justin said, making the others laugh.
“You’d better watch out, Justin,” Derek said. “You’re beginning to sound like an old curmudgeon.”
“I’d rather be an old curmudgeon than a pathetic, lovesick fop like the rest of you.”
“We need to find him a companion,” Aubrey said. “Perhaps if he was getting a little affection, he might not be so . . .”
“Grumpy?” Derek asked.
“Frustrated?” Simon posed.
“All of the above,” Aubrey said.
“Sod off,” Justin said. “The last thing I need is female complications.”
“But those are the very best kinds of complications,” Aubrey said.
Justin rolled his eyes. “You would say that, Mr. I-have-a-headache every day, three times a day.”
Aubrey bent in half laughing because he couldn’t begin to deny what Justin had said.
He had gone to enormous lengths, even bordering on rudeness to his guests, to be alone with his wife.
Despite the teasing, he knew none of them thought less of him for neglecting them at times to spend more time with Maeve. They were, after all, newlyweds.
When he’d recovered from the laughing fit and returned his attention to the billiards table, he was sobered by the nagging feeling that something was amiss, even in the midst of his pervasive happiness. “It’s been too easy,” he said, giving voice to his concern for the first time.
Derek’s brows furrowed with confusion at the sudden change in tone. “What has?”
“Marrying Maeve. It’s been too easy.”
Justin bent over the table, the eight ball within his sights. “How do you mean?”
“Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m delighted that Maeve has been so warmly received at the various events and that my sisters and the children seem to adore her nearly as much as I do.”
“So what’s the problem?” Derek asked.
“My mother.”
“What about her?”
“She’s been too quiet.”
“Could it be she’s preoccupied with your father’s declining health?” Justin asked.
“I wish I could believe that, but she doesn’t give a hoot about him.
She’s barely spoken to him about anything other than social obligations in decades.
Even after Nelson Industrial became fabulously successful, she acted as if he’d done her a disservice by making her part of the nouveau riche.
As you well know, there is nothing more bourgeois than new money. ”
“Ouch,” Simon said. “That’s cold. How did they end up with seven children if they barely speak?”
“We were all born in the first twelve years of their marriage, which we believe was the high point, if you will.”
“Ah, I see,” Simon said. “It’s not as if your mother can do anything. You’re legally married to the woman, whether she approves or not.”
“There is so much she can do to undercut our union. I fear she is biding her time to make her move, hoping to ensure maximum carnage.”
Derek tipped his head. “What can she really do?”
“I don’t know, and that’s what has me so unsettled. I know she’s got to be planning something, but the not knowing has my nerves stretched to their limit. I suspect Maeve is equally concerned but doesn’t speak of it to me out of respect for the fact that the woman is my mother, after all.”
“Have you thought that maybe she is willing to accept and respect your choice?” Simon asked.
“Not for one second.”
“That is a dilemma to be certain,” Derek said. “Catherine tells me Maeve has been well received everywhere they have been so far this Season.”
“Maeve believes that is because Catherine and Madeleine have made it their mission to make sure no one is unkind to her.” The thought of anyone being unkind to her, even his own mother, was enough to make Aubrey want to commit murder.
“They do make for a formidable pair of bodyguards,” Simon said, drawing a laugh from his cousin.
“Indeed, they do. I wouldn’t want to cross the McCabe sisters,” Derek said. “That’s for certain.”
“I hope you know how grateful we are to all of you for the way you’ve embraced Maeve. It means so much to us.”
“You love her,” Derek said. “That’s all we need to know.”
“Is that so very obvious?” Aubrey asked.
“As obvious as the nose on your face, old chap,” Justin muttered. “You’re like a lovesick puppy when she’s around.”
“That is not true!”
“Ah, well, it’s kind of true,” Simon said with a snicker.
Aubrey was about to protest when Plumber came in the room. “Pardon the interruption, but a cable has arrived that was marked urgent.”
Aubrey took it from him. “Thank you, Mr. Plumber.”
“Of course, sir.” The butler turned and left the room.
Anxiety had Aubrey opening the envelope with the same caution one might give a container full of dynamite. What now? He read the brief message with a sinking feeling.
“What is it, Aubrey?” Derek asked.
“My God,” Aubrey said, glancing at Justin. “I’m so very sorry to have to tell you that your father and brother were killed in a riding accident yesterday.”
Justin’s expression went flat. “What?” He shook his head as if he hadn’t heard Aubrey correctly.
“None of the details were provided. That’s all it says.”
Justin found the nearest chair and landed hard, dropping his head into his hands.
Derek and Simon sat on either side of him, their hands on his shoulders.
“I’m so sorry, Justin,” Derek said.
“What can we do for you?” Simon asked.
“What kind of riding accident could’ve killed them both?” Justin asked, his disbelief conveyed in his every word.
“I can’t imagine,” Derek said.
Justin looked up all of a sudden, his eyes gone wide. “Dear Christ, this means I’m the earl now.” He moaned. “This cannot be happening.” And then his shoulders heaved as a great sob shook him.
Derek moved quickly to wrap an arm around his friend while Simon patted him on the back.
Aubrey stood by, feeling inept and uncertain as to how to help. First thing in the morning, he would arrange transportation to get Justin home to England as soon as possible. That much he could do.
“I’m sorry.” Justin wiped the tears from his face. “It’s just such a shock.”
“Of course it is,” Derek said. “And please don’t be sorry. You’re among friends here. I just wish there was something we could do for you.”
“I’m going to need you to tell me how to be an earl with holdings so vast it’ll take the rest of my life to understand it all.”
“That I can do. Whatever you need, whenever you need it.”