would be Giles’ reaction? Surely not, Father wasn’t a coward. Although, he did recommend Simon talk to Giles before giving him the papers.
Simon followed Giles across the hall and into his study. “Have I unknowingly become the bearer of unwanted news?” Simon asked, withdrawing the papers meant for Giles from his satchel.
“No.” Giles pursed his lips. “I misunderstood.”
“Was it something you were told?”
“By you.” He held his hand out toward Simon.
Simon pulled the papers against his chest, his father’s earlier words reverberating in his mind. “Instead of us going another two and a half months detesting each other, can you please elaborate?”
“The reason you came.” He flicked his wrist. “Simon, you don’t have to like me—or even pretend to.”
Simon tossed the papers down on Giles desk. “Might I remind you that I came last week—without a reason—and I’ll refrain from reminding you how that went. Just because I came by this time with a business reason, doesn’t mean I didn’t want to come on my own.”
Giles flopped unceremoniously into his chair, throwing his hands up into the air. “You’re more difficult to understand than my wife.”
Simon doubted that. “Did the two of you have a disagreement?” That would make a lot of sense as to why Lucy and Seth had gone to the library by themselves.
“No.” Giles huffed. “Not today.” He leaned forward and plucked up his quill pin. Spinning it between his fingers he said, “Lucy is perceptive. She’s the one who suggested you might have come by last week to make amends.”
“Is that something you didn’t want?”
“Of course I did.” Giles tossed his pen down and reached for Father’s note. With a quick flick of his wrist he broke the seal on it. His eyes quickly scanned the note, his face paling.
“Giles, is everything all right?”
Giles stared at the paper
“Giles?” When Giles didn’t respond, Simon walked around to stand behind him and read Father’s note.
…Mr. Finnley would like to meet with you tomorrow…
“Giles,” Simon said softly. “I know I’m the last one you’d want knowing your private details, and I assure you, I don’t know many of them. What I do know is Mr. Finnley is a good friend to our family. You have nothing to worry about.”
Giles swallowed audibly. “My whole world is in his hands.”
“No, it’s not,” Simon assured him. “Your wife and son will still love you and be here for you no matter what the outcome.” Simon could not imagine that Mr. Finnley would consider Giles incompetent. His speech might be slow and his London connections might be limited, but with Father’s help, Giles would be able to manage his barony without question.
“You sound like Lucy.”
Simon screwed up his face. “Must you keep comparing me to your wife?”
Giles released the missive, letting it flutter to his desk. “You should consider it a compliment.” He sighed. “She’s at the lending library if you want to speak to her.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”
“Then you must enjoy marital turmoil,” Giles said with a shrug.
“And you’re concerned about tomorrow’s meeting?”
31
Simon hadn’t felt so much unease in his entire life as he had in the last week. Considering his start to the Season, that was saying a lot.
The first few days he’d gone home, he’d been greeted with new furnishings and supplies. Most gentlemen might frown at their wife’s spending. Simon did not. He was glad she felt comfortable decorating his house.
What wasn’t so comfortable was his swollen belly and his ever-tightening waistband.
Along with new furnishings, Simon had also been presented with a feast fit for a king. Every night’s dinner had boasted a minimum of eight courses. That wouldn't be so bad if they were small portions. But no, Rae only knew one size: vats. Likely her cooking experience came from cooking for the small Hughes army, but for two people one meal provided more food than either of them could eat in a week.
Rae needed something else to do to occupy her time. A friend, perhaps. He’d concluded as much before they even married, but how he’d go about helping her make friends when she’d cowered in the presence of his mother hadn’t given him much promise that he could help her.
Perhaps he needed to take Father’s advice and ask what was behind her sudden coldness and how he could fix it.
Father’s advice had worked well with Giles. He’d just pushed and pushed and pushed until he and Giles reached a new start. Would it work the same with Rae? He had a feeling