Cocky Earl - Annabelle Anders Page 0,64

good a time as any.” He also needed to do something about the Crabtree woman before she set to harassing Charley again.

“Go ahead without us.” Mantis waved him away. “I’m sure any of us will be happy to serve as your second if Brightly insists upon restoring his daughter’s honor over pistols.”

Jules sent Mantis a scowl “Very funny.” But it wasn’t.

“Sure it is.” Mantis wasn’t one to dance around Jules’ feelings though and simply shrugged.

In answer, Jules jerked his neck to the side, enjoying the satisfying crack and Grey’s resulting wince.

“Noon?” Jules would confirm the plans he’d made with them earlier before taking his leave.

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Chase supplied for all of them.

Blasted irreverent reprobates.

A half an hour later, Jules rubbed the smooth side of his jaw and then angled his head so that his valet could slide the blade just as easily along the other side. He’d decided it would be best that he didn’t smell of horses when meeting with his mother, Lord Brightly, and then Felicity.

“Did you ever think to marry?” he mused aloud to his valet going on three years now, Mr. Robbins.

Robbins hesitated for a fraction of a second and then expertly drew the blade through the lather. “I was married.”

“You never told me that, Robbins. Seems a man ought to know such information about the person who holds a blade to his throat daily.”

“You never asked, my lord.” Robbins rinsed the knife in the basin beside him and tipped Jules head back a few more inches. “For twelve years.”

“Might I ask about it now?” Jules kept his eyes closed, perfectly relaxed. Without his own father to turn to, Jules would glean any information he could from another gentleman who’d experienced the marital state.

“You may, My Lord.”

“Did you love her?”

“More than life itself,” Mr. Robbins said, sounding as stoic as ever.

His valet was good at that. He could give Greys a run for his money when it came to arrogant indifference. “I didn’t think I could go on after she passed. She died when our coach overturned on the road to Brighten the summer of twenty-two.”

“But you did. Go on, that is.”

“I did at that, My Lord. It’s what she would have wanted me to do.” The thought of Charley meeting with some sort of accident arose unbidden in his mind. The painful sensation it invoked had him hastily pushing it away.

Jules’ mother had hired Mr. Robbins to perform valet duties for Jules shortly after Jules’ father’s death. She’d declared most adamantly that Jules needed to look the part if he was going to take over his father’s responsibilities. He needed to act the part, as well. Jules had been in no position to argue. He’d been the cause of her husband’s demise, after all.

Guilt was a powerful motivator, and yet he didn’t want to lose Charley in recompense for the mistakes of his past.

When his mother stepped into his office, the familiar punch of shame forced him to recognize that the power his guilt held over him was as strong as ever.

“You needed to speak with me, darling?” She was impeccably dressed even though most of their guests were likely only just now taking tea or chocolate in their beds. She lowered herself into the leather chair placed in front of him and then met his gaze expectantly. “Have you spoken with Lord Brightley yet, then? Or better yet, with Felicity?”

“I won’t be meeting with Lord Brightly, Mother, at least not in the way you would have me.” It was best to tell her the truth quickly. His mother would see right through any excuses or preamble he’d attempt. Her desire for candor was actually something he rather appreciated about her. “I’m not going to marry Felicity.”

“You aren’t ready yet?”

“I’m not going to marry Felicity ever. I’m courting Miss Jackson.” He’d thought he might feel some regret at his decision, knowing his bachelorhood would soon be coming to an end. But as he said the words, he felt a sudden lifting of an invisible weight on his shoulders and a warmth flowing through his veins. He had to admit to himself that, oddly enough, he was looking forward to marrying Charley.

Amongst other things.

His mother chuckled. “Don’t scare me like that.” She drew back her shoulders. “In fact, I rather think it would be best if I sent Miss Jackson back to her grandparents rather than wait for Mr. Jackson to return. She isn’t… fitting in with the other guests. Mrs. Crabtree