Page 95 of The Viscount's Silent Pugilist

From beneath the table, Floppy protested with a soft, “Arff.”

Sophia peered down at the dog. “Don’t worry, Horatio. I will still love you even after I win a kitten.” She tore off the edge of apastry, holding it to his nose. He sniffed, gobbled it up, and then licked her fingers clean.

“Jonathan and Genevieve, I am so sorry I missed your wedding,” his sister Caroline said, drawing his attention away from Sophia’s handwashing and her attempt to eat a sugar volcano. He had assured his sister at least a half dozen times that she couldn’t control the weather, and still she apologized profusely.

Jonathan’s one-year-old nephew, Max, gurgled with happiness as Caroline bounced him on her lap. Performing for the babe, Jonathan widened his eyes, opened and closed his mouth like a guppy, and waggled his fingers. Max giggled.

Cooing at her grandson, Jonathan’s mother took the baby’s hand in hers. “You were only one day late, Caroline, and it could not be helped. I am thrilled that you and Maximillian could visit before Christopher had to leave for school.”

“It has been lovely to spend time with you, Christopher,” Caroline said. “Little Max adores you.”

True. The lad seemed to enjoy male attention.

“Are you excited to return to your studies?” Caroline asked.

“Exceedingly so,” Christopher said. “I shall finish the semester at Eton, and thanks to Lord Davenport investing in my future, I hope to attend Oxford next year. Although I wish I weren’t leaving so soon. I hate that I am going to miss Gen’s big mill against Mad Hurricane Meg.”

“Do not fret, I shall write and tell you all about it,” Gen said. “You can watch me fight when you come to London this summer.” Her eyes pleading, she regarded her brother. “That is, if you plan to spend the summer in the city. I know how much you love the fresh country air.”

Christopher blew out a long huff. “I think we should close Thorn Manor until I finish my degree. Then, I will deal with the rot, decay, and painful memories.”

“You may use my man of business to assist you with anything you need,” Jonathan offered. “He is quite competent and trustworthy.”

“Thank you,” Christopher said. “I shall take you up on that offer.”

Sophia eyed her mush with skepticism.

“Your beak can hold more than your belly can,” Jonathan teased.

“I am not a pelican,” she said, alluding to their personal mealtime joke. Turning her attention to her brother, she frowned. “Christopher, I don’t ever want to return to Thorn Manor. Please let me stay here with Gen and the Davenports forever.”

“You are welcome to stay with us as long as you would like,” Jonathan’s mother said. “All of you can stay with us. Forever.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Mother, I can visit for a month. But then I must return home. I do have a husband, you know?”

His mother’s eyes lit up as if she’d just had the greatest epiphany ever. “He can live at Greenpark House, too.”

“Mother.” Jonathantsked. “Do not make Caroline feel guilty for having her own life. Of course, Sophia, you can stay with us as long as you want.”

“Sophia will need a tutor,” his mother declared, holding her finger in the air as she often did when she wanted to emphasize the magnificence of one of her ideas. “We have room for a tutor to live with us.”

If his mother had her way, all of London would share their home, which was entirely too many people for Jonathan. However, he quite enjoyed having Gen’s siblings with them. And the tutor was fine. Perhaps he’d even sit in on a few lessons and learn a thing or two to make up for his avoidance of schoolwork when he was a student.

“I am sure we can find room for Sophia’s tutor. Kitty also has a place on our staff,” Jonathan added. “And Christopher can stay with us during school holidays.”

His mother’s eyes took on a faraway, dreamy look. “That sounds lovely.”

“My lord, do you think you can find a permanent position for Melvin and Mrs. Whistler?” Christopher asked. “I know Melvin can be quite uppity, but he looked out for us in the end. Clyde, our carriage driver and groom, can rot in hell for all I care.Pfft. Abducting Gen to appease our monster of a worthless father.”

Jonathan knew firsthand what it felt like to become the patriarch of a family at a young age. At least Jonathan’s father had been honorable, and he had finished university before having the weight of the world thrust upon him. He would do everything in his power to help Christopher navigate the choppy ocean of responsibility, so he didn’t drown gasping for breath.

“I require more staff at Millhurst Manor,” Jonathan said. “I plan to spend more time in the country when Gen isn’t competing. In fact, we plan to visit for a month this summer. Perhaps Mother and Sophia might want to stay longer. All of that to say, I will offer Melvin and Mrs. Whistler suitable positions.”

“Thank you,” Christopher said. “When I am able, I will repay you for your kindness to my family and staff.”

“Of course. Your family is my family,” Jonathan said.

“The other day when Lord Davenport took me to White’s I overheard a rumor,” Christopher said.