Page 32 of Dearest Beast
“Please don’t worry,” he practically begged, standing before his brother’s chair, his hands clasped. “This shall be exactly what the family needs.”
Yet still, his brother did not rejoice.
“And what you need?” David asked instead, cocking his head again.
Naturally. “They are one and the same,” Roger said.
“Truly.” His brother pressed his lips together.
What was wrong with the man?
“Yes,” he repeated. He paused, searching for the correct way to describe exactly what had occurred without drawing further attention to his own failures. He rubbed the back of his neck. “While I have continued to grow our reputation with the ton, the community has turned a touch cold toward me since the ugliness with Louis.” He inhaled to press down the annoyance creeping into his voice. “I want my place back,” he explained.
“A strategic marriage would do that, and quite a bit more,” his brother said after another long pause. Though at least this time hislips turned upward in a tacit sign of approval. Or as close as he could come when discussing Roger’s accomplishments.
“Besides, I can’t maintain this family alone. I need a partner. One who shares our vision and goals. Someone of whom Lucy would’ve approved,” Roger added, seizing upon the opening. “Leone Teres fits the role perfectly.”
“I’m sure she does,” David agreed with yet another bob of his head, though still less enthusiasm than was proper for the situation.
“Why can’t you be happy for me?” he finally asked, his voice now a touch tight.
“I am.” His brother shifted in his seat. “I’m just adjusting. After the fiasco with Isabelle, you expressed a desire for a respite before seeking a new wife.”
Which was… a fair point. He had said that. Though he’d not been precisely sincere. It was more to smooth any tension between the families when it was clear that he and Isabelle wouldn’t suit.
“I had,” Roger admitted, raising a finger. “But time has passed. Even if it hadn’t, when the right opportunity comes along, you seize it.”
And the right opportunity was present now. The timing and the woman were perfect, so questioning the same would be foolish.
“True,” David said, rising. “Mazel tov, then.” And for a moment, Roger believed his brother might attempt to embrace him, an annoying habit of the man’s wife, but instead he stuck out his hand for a firm shake. “May your days together be long and peaceful,” he added, squeezing Roger’s palm.
“Thank you,” he said when his brother released his grip.
“I shall have Isabelle review the language I was formulating for Sofia in advance of her husband search and add it to the Berab family’s usual proposal for the ketubah.” David moved to the door,only to stop as Lopez finally appeared to clean the mess. “What are those?” he asked, pointing to the man’s left hand.
“New spectacles for Miss Adler.” After showing them to David, Lopez handed them to Roger.
“Hers were damaged, and your brother tasked me with acquiring new ones so she could read properly,” he explained.
“Ah,” David said with a nod of appreciation in Roger’s direction. “Good to see you have the rest of the situation under control. I’ll make sure I accomplish my part.”
With another wave, he exited, Lopez following behind, leaving Roger alone to find Miss Adler and make the delivery himself. God willing, this time she’d be wearing more garments.
Leone Teres,he thought, working to picture the woman but somehow only conjuring long red waves and lips that quirked when she believed she’d won an argument.
Mercy.
Perhaps he required a bath. A cold one.
Posthaste.
Rebecca was… nonplussed. That was the only description for her mood one week into her stay at Roger Berab’s house. Or more aptly, her stay in his guest chamber.
Though for the life of her, she could not understand why.
No one treated her poorly. She’d been fed delicious food. Received amusing letters from Isabelle regaling her with tales of her guests. Not to mention, read several admittedly excellent books.
Poetry by Tennyson and Norton, fiction by Sedwick and Shelley, as well as a translation of a scientific text by Nasse. A fascinating grouping. Purchased with Isabelle’s advice, no doubt, as she could not imagine Berab choosing, let alone reading, any of the same.
