.

a laugh.

      “Oh, I think here at the table where we are all on equal footing is preferable,” Mrs. Higginbotham said and looked at James. “Unless you object?”

      “Not at all, Mrs. Higginbotham.” He smiled at the older lady. No doubt the next three years would be fraught with problems regarding her interpretation of Uncle Richard’s stipulations. It was not too soon to try to get her in his corner.

      Her eyes narrowed slightly as if she knew exactly what he was thinking. “Excellent.”

      Violet signaled Andrews, who nodded and left the room, returning almost at once with decanters of brandy, port and sherry. Andrews obviously anticipated the company staying at the table and James wondered if Violet and Uncle Richard had done so during her visits.

      Once the table was cleared and they all had glasses of brandy or port, the older ladies insisting they preferred the more traditional lady’s offering of sherry, Mrs. Higginbotham began. “I gather the two of you have agreed to abide by the terms of the will.”

      James met Violet’s gaze and they nodded.

      “Excellent.” Mrs. Higginbotham looked at Marcus. “Shall we take Richard’s stipulations one at a time?”

      Marcus nodded. “Whatever you prefer.”

      “Very well.” Mrs. Higginbotham thought for a moment. “First, is the requirement that you live together for the next two years, eleven months, one week and three days or rather two days now with no more than fourteen days spent apart in any given year.” Mrs. Higginbotham’s gaze circled the table.

      “That seems fairly straightforward to me. Are there any questions?”

      “Is there any requirement as to where we reside? Are we confined to England?” Violet asked.

      “As long as the two of you are living together, under the same roof, not at all.” Mrs. Higginbotham paused. “Although it would be most difficult for Lady Blodgett, Mrs. Fitzhew-Wellmore and myself to oversee the terms of the will if you chose to live abroad. In Rome for example.”

      “In which case, Effie, Poppy and I would feel it necessary to reside with you.” Lady Blodgett smiled in an agreeable manner that in no way negated her threat.

      “I for one have always wanted to live abroad.” Excitement rang in Mrs. Fitzhew-Wellmore’s voice.

      “I don’t intend to live anywhere but England.” James’s tone was more than a little pompous. Where on earth had that come from? He’d never been even remotely pompous before. “And I don’t consider it confinement.”

      Violet’s jaw tightened but her tone was cordial. “I wasn’t suggesting we live somewhere else. I was simply wondering if it was possible to travel.”

      “Of course it is, dear.” Mrs. Fitzhew-Wellmore, who did seem the nicest of the older ladies, smiled at Violet. “You’d simply have to take him with you.”

      “I have no desire to travel,” James said in an offhand manner. His reticence to travel had more to do with the violent reaction of his stomach to being on a ship than anything else. Even the rocking motion of lengthy train trips, especially those through mountainous areas, brought on a nasty queasiness. When he had discovered that tendency he had blamed it on an overindulgence in spirits. He really didn’t care to find out if he was right or not.

      “Travel is the grandest of adventures, James,” Violet said. “There’s an entire world beyond England’s shores, you know.”

      “I traveled the continent after I left school and found that more than sufficient.”

      “Ah yes, the grand tour young men of privilege take to indulge in scandalous pursuits under the guise of culture.” Violet smiled pleasantly, belying the look in her eye that clearly indicated what she thought of young men on grand tours.

      He ignored her. “Besides, I have entirely too many responsibilities here to take the time needed for traveling.”

      At once five pairs of skeptical eyes fixed on him. Marcus nodded encouragement. James smiled and sipped his brandy.

      Violet opened her mouth to say something, then apparently thought better of it and pressed her lips together.

      “The second condition,” Lady Blodgett began, “requires you to be seen as a couple three times a week.”

      “That seems rather a lot,” Violet said.

      James leaned forward and met her gaze. “Don’t you want to be seen with me?”

      “Not particularly.”

      He smiled slowly. “You don’t really have a choice.”

      She ignored him and turned her gaze to Mrs. Higginbotham. “What constitutes an appearance as a couple?”

      The ladies exchanged glances.

      “We’ve been discussing that very thing,” Lady Blodgett began. “We don’t believe it’s necessary to attend a ball or soiree or anything of that nature three times a week.”

      “That would be most exhausting,” Mrs. Fitzhew-Wellmore added.

      “Appearing as a couple is not at all complicated,” Mrs. Higginbotham said. “Why, tonight’s dinner is certainly the two of you as a couple with others.”

      “Perhaps you should have dinner with us every night,” James said wryly.

      “Sarcasm, my lord?” Lady Blodgett pinned him with a hard look, and James resisted the urge to squirm in his seat.

      “Sorry,” he murmured.

      “We couldn’t possibly be here every night,” Mrs. Fitzhew-Wellmore said then sighed. “Although the food was excellent.”

      “We feel something as simple as guests for dinner would be acceptable to meet that obligation,” Mrs. Higginbotham said. “Especially in the beginning. We propose the three of us join you for dinner once a week although you may certainly invite other people. That takes care of one weekly appearance and will allow you to keep us informed as to the other two appearances, as well.”

      “We have taken the liberty of asking your secretary, my lord,” Lady Blodgett said, “as well as Mrs. Ryland—”

      Violet shot a surprised look at her friend who winced.

      “—to gather the invitations you’ve received of late. We shall compile a list of those which would be suitable for your initial public appearances.”

      James drew his brows together. “I think we are more than capable of handling our own social engagements.”

      “No, she’s right.” Violet cast the older woman an admiring look. “While I have kept up on the comings and goings of London society there are no doubt nuances I have missed. And it might be best to ease our way into this new life rather than leap in headfirst.”

      “I’ve always liked leaping in head first.” James smirked. Marcus bit back a grin.

      “And that has proved to be so successful for you in the past,” Violet said in an overly sweet tone.

      “We also suggest rides in Hyde Park, either on horseback or in a carriage, visits to galleries, attendance at lectures, the theater, exhibitions, concerts, that sort of thing.” Lady Blodgett smiled. “It might be quite enjoyable.”

      “That would be four hundred and twenty-four appearances as a couple. I figured it out.” Mrs. Fitzhew-Wellmore paused. “Well, four hundred and twenty-three given this evening counts as one.”

      “I’m not sure it was necessary to calculate the number of appearances, Poppy.” Mrs. Higginbotham’s gaze shifted from Violet to James and back. “I believe you’ve frightened them.”

      “It does sound rather overwhelming,” Lady Blodgett noted.

      “Nonsense.”