no need for that,” Sebastian said with a little smile, “but we are no children here, and for now on, I shall call him my cousin, and leave it at that.”
“Call him whatever you like,” his mama replied, waving a hand at him. “The important thing is, there are no other male heirs beside you and Edward.”
Sebastian said, “Precisely, and for which case if he comes to town, by rights we ought to offer him hospitality. Isn’t it time you let bygones be bygones—whatever it is that makes you refuse to see him? With Sir Malcolm gone, there is one less ogre for you to fear. In my past correspondence with Sir Hugo, he has always seemed very gentlemanlike and proper.” He paused and gave her a penetrating look. “We had ought to be on good terms with the man who leaves his title and estate to me.”
“He has no choice,” replied his mama, delicately dabbing her mouth with a cloth.
She took a sip from her glass, but put it down decisively, her eyes widened. “So that is why he wrote to you!”
Sebastian’s brows rose. “You knew?”
“Binnie saw the letter and told me of it,” she explained, while moving aside just enough to allow a footman to give her a serving of cauliflower in sauce. “I daresay I thought it would be some such fiddle faddle.”
Sebastian rubbed his chin, as though deliberating on what to reveal. “Actually, Mama, the biggest surprise in Sir Hugo’s letter is that he wished to advise me of his intention to find a wife.”
Mrs. Arundell froze. Her eyes widened. Quickly she put her fork down and sat there blinking.
“Have no fear, dearest,” Sebastian hurried to say. “If he sires an heir and disinherits me, we shall do well enough with my investments. We’d not suffer the slightest lowering in our current lifestyle, and you, I suppose, can grow accustomed to your son not being next in line to inherit. There is nothing you cannot countenance in it.” Seeing her stricken face he added, “Perhaps I needn’t have mentioned it. Perchance it may come to nothing.”
“But—Hugo has ever been utterly averse to marriage, which I always thought nonsensical for a titled gentleman. But to change his mind now! So that is why he comes! He wishes to find a wife from the best circles, does he?” She stabbed her fork into a mound of boiled turnip. “Who would wish to marry that old clodpate!” Then, looking up as struck she said, “May I read his letter? I must hear his tone, the manner of his speech. I must determine if he is in earnest or if he seeks merely to vex me—”
“To vex you?” asked Sebastian. “I am sure my cousin has no wish to marry simply to vex you, dearest. ‘Tis only natural a man wants an heir from his own loins, I daresay.”
But Mrs. Arundell’s face scrunched in distaste. “You don’t know him as I do. He wishes to marry! Either his estate is out at the heels and he needs a wealthy bride, or ‘tis only to vex me, I assure you!”
“If anyone has reason to be vexed, it is I; but I believe I can say with equal parts equanimity and honesty, that I wish him well. I wish him success. The few times I have met and spoken with my cousin—and I will continue to call him that, if itʼs all the same to you—I have found him nothing but amiable and good-natured. I never understood why you refused invitations from Bartlett Hall and denied us the society of our relations for most all our lives.”
Mrs. Arundell hadn’t heard this very well and looked to Frannie. She startled to attention, but then echoed loudly, “Mr. Arundell is not vexed by Sir Hugo, ma’am!”
“Yes, I caught that much,” the lady said, nodding. “Refer to him as Beau for me, Frannie. That’s what I call him, so you must also.”
Frannie blushed, keeping her eyes on her plate.
“What else did he say?”
Frannie took a deep breath and replied with admirable volume, “He doesn’t understand the difficulty between you and Sir—”
“Pray, Miss Fanshawe, do not trouble yourself,” Sebastian interrupted. “My mother and I have trod this path before. She refuses to disclose the cause of their ancient argument. But more to the point, there is one other reason for his writing me, which I will inform her of.” He turned to his mama and said vigorously, “Sir Hugo invites us to his home for the