Page 31 of Dearest Beast
Taste was personal. Though his was excellent. Perhaps a sampling of his favorites.
Now, that was a rather brilliant idea. Yes, he’d just have Lopez pull a few books and see what she preferred. Maybe some of his favorite fictions. A periodical or two.
And the Tennyson.
With some new spectacles. She needed those, did she not?
Mercy, this list was getting long. But he could do it. Could do it all from the comfort of his home.
He grimaced, recalling the state of his office.
He’d have to reassert control over that as well.
Well, delegate the same to Lopez.
Yes, it would all be fine.
Better than fine.
A new beginning. One of triumph.
However, “proud,” or even “pleased,” wasnothis oldest brother’s reaction to his impending marriage. No, instead of jumping in celebration, David’s cup of spiced chocolate clattered to the floor.
“I apologize,” his brother said as Roger pulled the rope to call Lopez. “I was just…” His lips made a thin line as he paused for a seemingly infinitely long amount of time. “Surprised.” David rubbed the back of his neck. “I daresay… I just hadn’t considered her for you, but I fancy she’s a reasonable choice.”
A ringing endorsement.
“Do you know her?” Roger asked.
“Only a little,” David told him, still frowning. “Sofia’s a year older and found her a touch… puerile. But you know how children exaggerate such things to show their sophistication over those whoare their juniors. I remember what I used to say about you back in the day to whoever would listen. Fictions. Mostly.”
Roger winced. Both at the comment regarding his own maturity and his betrothed’s age. Especially compared to his niece. David’s eldest had been born a little after his bar mitzvah. Not an inappropriate age for marriage, but still a touch uncomfortable given their separate generations.
Though, he reminded himself, David was nearly a decade older than he and never treated him as a peer. No matter how hard he’d worked to be his brother’s equal. But that would change, damn it. Once he had the seat on the Commission.
“But Teres is a good man,” his brother continued. “I was befuddled when it was suggested that he was in league with the others to thwart your ascendence, though vultures even circle wounded lions…”
True. But the seat would destroy all vulnerabilities. Make him invincible.
Or at least as much as he could be.
“This is what we need.” Roger smoothed his cravat. “With this, we shall be not merely secure in our position but more powerful than we’ve been in years, if not ever.” He clenched his fists, thrilling at the idea. However, when he turned to David, instead of pride on his face, his expression was merely thoughtful.
“You’ll be married again,” David pointed out. “Your children will have a new mother.” He cocked his head. “How do they feel about that?”
What sort of question was that? His children would benefit greatly from a second parent, especially one of Miss Teres’s background. Which his brother should know, as he’d been married for more than two decades now to a woman of similar parentage.
“We haven’t discussed it yet, but I’m sure they’ll be most agreeable. They’re sweet things,” Roger reminded him.
David’s chin shot up, and there was a flash of something in his eyes that Roger could not quite decipher. “How does Miss Teres feel about being a stepmother?”
“Quite enthusiastic,” he said. “Her father told me that she has always aided in managing their household and would be quite pleased to select a new nurse as well as direct the governess.” Something for which the entire household would be grateful, considering last night’s events.
Yes, he wouldn’t be marrying a moment too soon.
“That’s certainly a bonus,” David said, but he didn’t smile.
Roger sighed. What would it take for his brother to be happy for him? And, more importantly, to give him a modicum of credit for once in his life?
