Chapter Seven
“I look forward to our conversation on Friday. Remember, you must read at least one of the three works to fully participate.” Christopher rose from his wingback chair, anxious to return to the study where the instructional staff prepared and relaxed.
Having eight women staring at him as if he were a bowl of barberry ice cream was unnerving. He’d barely kept his focus.
Two ladies had started forward when his brother stepped in their path. “No more questions for today. Remember, you are here to study, and I suggest you start your reading this evening.”
After the last lady filed out of the “conversation area,” an opening among the stacks of books with a set of chairs in a semicircle and one chair facing the rest, Andrew turned back to him.
“I don’t believe that’s happened here before.
I suggest we talk to the other faculty about how it should be handled. ”
“Are all the faculty married?”
Andrew frowned for a moment. “I do think they are. Maybe we could let it be known that you’re betrothed.”
“Betrothed? To whom?”
Andrew shrugged as he leaned against a bookcase. “Does it matter? We can set it about as a rumor until someone proves it false. I’ll talk to Amelia about starting that.”
Christopher shook his head even as he grinned. “Sometimes, brother, your mind goes in directions I never expect.”
“You mean starting a rumor.”
“Yes, that, as well as investing in trade and covering up Father’s debt.”
Andrew jerked away from the bookcase. “You know about that?”
Christopher leisurely picked up the three volumes from the small table next to him. “Yes, I do. You did well to keep it a secret, and as your brother, I understand why you did, but you could have told me. I am family.” It still rubbed him raw that he’d been left out.
Andrew ran his hand through his hair. “You were away at school. I didn’t think you needed to worry about it, and I certainly didn’t want Mother to know. By the time you came home, I’d married Amelia and the investments did well. There was really no reason to tell you. How did you find out?”
Christopher clapped Andrew on the shoulder. “You leave out the ledger in your study quite often. It’s very interesting reading. I only wish you had told me, so I could have learned how you did it last year.”
“You don’t need to go into trade. I wouldn’t have, but the duke gave me some sound advice.”
It was his turn to be surprised. “The Duke of Northwick?”
“Yes. The man is knowledgeable on far more than philosophy. When paired with his wife, I believe they could solve any problem if their audience was willing to listen.”
Christopher raised his brows. “That’s high praise from you. You make me think I should consult the duke on my next problem.”
“You could do a lot worse.”
“Then I definitely shall, as I have more than a couple I’m mulling over.” He walked to the bookcase where he’d found the books and reshelved them.
Andrew rested his hands on the back of the wingback chair nearest him. “Like what you wish to make of your life? I thought you were considering the military.”
Before his brother could mention the winnings from Harewood, Christopher interrupted. “No. I’ve actually made my decision on that front, and as soon as I hear the results of my inquiry, I promise I will let you know.”
“To be honest, Chris. I’m pleased that you will be moving on from tutoring at Oxford. You have so much more potential.”
Now this was new. Not that Andrew had ever made Christopher feel like he wasn’t worthy, but to hear his older brother thought well of him was reassuring. “I promise I will be settled by my thirtieth birthday.”
“So you can marry? I’ve seen the bets in White’s.”
He grimaced. “That was Durham’s idea. Said I was one person he could count on to stay my course.
” He rolled his shoulders, not comfortable that people were betting against his keeping to his plan.
“Actually, I’d like to find the right woman by the time I’m five and thirty.
I want to be young enough to take an interest in all my children. ”
“Father was interested in your future.”
Christopher met his brother’s gaze. “He was just more interested in women, paintings, horses, and the latest invention more.” Andrew didn’t deny it, and for that Christopher was grateful. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve had you looking over my shoulder since I was in leading strings.”
“I was, but I haven’t been able to look over your shoulder since you reached nineteen.” Andrew grinned as he pointedly looked at Christopher’s shoulders, which were the exact same height as his.
Christopher grinned back. “And grateful I am at that. A man has to have some secrets from his brother.”
“They’re only secrets until I discover them, like that mistress you were keeping two years ago.”
Christopher laughed. “Yes, I can thank Harewood for revealing that.”
Andrew shook his head, but his lips twitched with mirth. “Now, we’d best head back to the study before we run into any more students. I never thought I’d have to be looking out for your reputation.”
Christopher grimaced as he followed his brother out of the cozy corner and through the maze that was the former ballroom turned educational area.
The room that covered an entire wing of the building now housed an extensive library and many study and discussion areas.
The second-story balcony held more books around the outside walls, making it easy for the duke and duchess to oversee all that happened.
He hadn’t had a chance to explore much else, but he fully intended to.
Lady Sophie was somewhere at the school.
He just needed to find her, preferably soon.
Once back in the faculty study, his brother set out to find his wife.
Christopher walked past the case of scotch he’d had carted from Hawthorne Park and delivered to the study. He hoped to share it with a few of his fellow instructors. It was a pleasant way to relax in the evening. At the moment he was alone, so he took the opportunity to write to his solicitor.
He was anxious to prepare his new property for the year.
He planned to have it in better circumstances in a couple of years, so his prospects for a wife would be better.
He was in no hurry, happy to increase his new wealth and take his time to enjoy the Season each year, something he hadn’t been able to do.
In fact, it could take him years to find a woman of the peerage that he rubbed along well with.
He also needed to have his solicitor forward any paperwork on Durham’s townhouse.
He wanted to give Durham a chance to win it back before the Season started, and having the paperwork in his possession gave him that opportunity.
The man always paid his debts, but that was much to his own detriment.
Christopher didn’t need the additional home.
He would simply stay at Sommerset House with Andrew and Amelia when in Town.
He’d just finished his letter when the far door opened and the short but broad man he’d noticed at the welcome gathering stepped in.
There were a variety of desks, chairs, and settees, not to mention two fireplaces between them, but the man spotted him immediately.
“Ah, I see our new resident lord has found our haven.” The stocky man started across the room, weaving between the furniture.
He wore a waistcoat, cravat, pantaloons, and boots, but no tailcoat.
“Mr. Loyd Billings, proud owner of a small estate in Winslow and fortunate to have this position to sustain it.” The man chuckled as he extended his hand.
Christopher stood. “Mr. Billings, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m Lord Tamworth, as I’m sure you heard.” The man’s grip was a bit strong, and close up, his nose seemed slightly crooked.
“It must be complicated for you as an unmarried man of means, my lord. Grateful I am that I have a missus back home.”
“I don’t think Lord Sommerset had thought about it before accepting my offer to provide knowledge on philosophy, but I’m fortunate that he has stepped in to ensure all interactions with my students are chaperoned.”
Mr. Billings swung a straight-backed chair around, straddled it, and rested his bulky arms upon the back.
His round hazel eyes gleamed with good humor.
“Including you, there’s only five of us manly types, not including the duke, of course.
I instruct the women on how to defend themselves in case they’re attacked, as well as how to avoid uncertain circumstances. ”
Surprised by that information, Christopher sat again. “I’ve never heard of such a subject.”
“I don’t think there’s another like it, for these aristocratic types. But the duchess was adamant that the ladies be able to handle themselves should a dangerous situation arise. I have to tell you, I was a bit shocked myself when she found me.”
“Found you? Do you mean because of your qualifications?”
The man nodded, though his very short-cropped black hair didn’t move at all. “You may be too young to remember, but I was a well-known pugilist in my day.”
Since he’d never followed the sport and only participated in it while attending Oxford, Christopher didn’t recognize Mr. Billings, but based on what he knew about pugilism, he was duly impressed.
“It appears the duchess only hires the most knowledgeable of instructors.” It also appeared that the duchess had designed the entire curriculum.
“That she does. Me missus—I mean, my missus—was pleased as punch that a duchess visited us.” Mr. Billings shook his head. “I’m supposed to be practicing talking better. Mrs. Kingman, the lady that teaches stories, has been helping me.”
“You sound like a true self-made man.”
“I don’t know nothing about that. I’ve had a lot of help, and my mother and father gave me this body.”
Christopher held back a grimace that he’d used such a new term as self-made man with the former pugilist. “I meant only that you have made the most of your own attributes and are quite a successful man.”