Miss Fanshawe's Fortune - Linore Rose Burkard Page 0,14

Christmas holidays; and I mean to accept!”

“For Christmas? So we may admire his new, simpering wife?” she said acidly.

“He hasn’t found a wife yet, Mama. He wrote only to warn me that he is on the hunt.” Sebastian could hardly repress a grin. “It does seem irregular for him to warn us.”

Edward said, “You smile. Don’t you feel the least sorry for it? To be disinherited when all your life you’ve been set up as the next baronet of Bartlett Hall after Sir Hugo? I daresay it disappoints me, and I’m not as close to it as you are.”

“He’s not married yet,” replied Sebastian. “And baronetcies bring headaches and obligations as well as honours.” But he returned his attention to his mother. “I shall reply by special messenger that you do not require his escort for Thursday night’s ball; and that we will be happy to descend upon Bartlett Hall for the Christmas holidays.”

“Wait, wait, sir!” cried his mama, as color rushed to her face. “I have not decided about Christmas! I must think on it.”

Sebastian said, leaning forward gently, but speaking slowly so she might have the benefit of reading his lips, “As the head of the family, I have made the decision. I’ve supported your ancient grudge far too long by indulging your dislike of him; but I have no such aversion to the man; he is my elder relation. We will go, Mama.”

Mrs. Arundell looked dejected. She swallowed. “If he has a new wife, I shall not go, no, by no means. You cannot force me, Beau.”

Sebastian’s mouth twisted, stifling a grin. “Mama, if I did not know better, I should say you were jealous!”

Edward too regarded his mother with a face that looked mildly embarrassed. “Indeed, Mama,” he said gently—and thereby went wholly unheard.

Frannie shifted in her seat, feeling as though she were eavesdropping on private family affairs. She wished she could excuse herself. But if Mrs. Arundell didn’t send her from the room, she was not at liberty to take leave. She looked imploringly at Sebastian.

Receptive green-grey eyes surveyed her and seemed to instantly comprehend her discomfort. “You must excuse our conversation, Miss Fanshawe. I’m afraid that as Mama’s companion, you are fated to be included in all the familial, eh, niceties, otherwise known as dirt.”

The matriarch apparently heard that. “Do not exaggerate, Beau! You’ll give the poor girl frights! We aren’t ogres; and as for being jealous, don’t be absurd! I am not in the least jealous except on your account, for you are the rightful heir to the title!”

“Only if Sir Hugo has no son of his own, dearest!”

Mrs. Arundell pursed her lips, and nodding at Frannie to follow, rose from the table. The men instantly came to their feet and bowed. But their mother stopped, her head turned in thought. She leveled a defiant stare upon Sebastian. “You may reply to his letter,” she said imperiously, her small nose in the air, “with the information that I will accept Sir Hugo’s escort!”

While her sons stared in amazement, she turned on her heel and took a step but then turned back and added forcefully, “But I will not put him up, for there are inns and posting houses all over London where he may stay, or he can let rooms anywhere he likes!”

“Very good, Mama,” said Sebastian approvingly and with no small surprise. He might have wished to open their home, but he knew a concession when he saw it and accepted it graciously. “I may count myself excused then, from the ball?”

“I suppose you may,” she said, “though everyone shall ask why you aren’t in attendance. You are talked of as almost a recluse, Beau.” She paused, frowning. “Do you not care to see the princess?”

He gave her a patient look. “I am not averse to it, but I had my fill of balls during the season. Why there should be one now, when all the best families are at their country estates, I cannot fathom.”

“Word was put out long ago,” she returned. “Many of those ‘best families’ have harkened back to town for this event. There may be some special announcement from Her Royal Highness, I daresay.”

She glanced at Frannie, whose face was frozen in amazement. Imagine it, passing up a chance to meet Princess Charlotte! Frannie had often daydreamed of meeting the Regent’s daughter, who seemed to genuinely care for her subjects. She’d never known anyone who could enjoy that opportunity and now this family, the Arundells, her only benefactors