Chapter Four
June 14, 1818
Royce sipped his tea as he stared at nothing in particular. Amusement and excitement twisted together in his gut, for renewing his association with Miss Storme the night before had been thrilling—exactly what he’d needed. Though he’d known of her through their family connections, he wouldn’t mind furthering a relationship. For what or how deep he didn’t know, but did it matter?
He took another sip as he contemplated an oil painting of an English wildflower meadow. No, it didn’t matter overly much, for she was like a fascinating new plaything to a cat. A slow grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. In this instance, he wasn’t entirely certain if he was the cat or if she played that role.
It was something he wished to discover.
“What are you so chipper about this morning?” Trey groused as he came into the morning room looking as rumpled as if he’d just strolled in from his club.
“I wasn’t aware that I was.” Royce regarded his brother with a grin. “And good morning to you. By the way, you look like a dog’s breakfast.”
“I overslept. Besides, it’s not as if I’ll see anyone of consequence at the clinic.” He straightened his cravat as best he could with his one hand. “You were humming just now when I came in.” Apparently, such a sound worked to further aggravate his brother if his scowl was any indication.
“I was not.” Royce drained the remainder of the liquid from his cup. “I don’t hum.”
“Well, you were this morning. Additionally, you’re grinning at your reflection.”
“What?” He glanced about with a start, for no longer was he peering at the painting. In fact, he’d somehow wandered over to the sideboard and now regarded himself in the rectangular mirror that hung over that piece of furniture. “Not more than usual, surely.” He shrugged. “It’s no crime if I wished to check my appearance before going out.”
“Such gammon you speak.” Trey shook his head as he shoved his hand through it in an effort to tame some of the red tresses. “You detest mornings.”
“I don’t.” Calmly, as if he weren’t hiding an enormous secret, Royce lifted the teapot from its trivet and poured a measure into his cup.
“You do. Always have.” Trey’s frown deepened as he roved his gaze up and down Royce’s person. “For that matter, where the devil are you going? You’re dressed too fine for the clinic even if you have rounds this morning.”
“Not this morning I don’t.” He slid his regard to Trey and then saluted him with the teacup. “You and Finn can keep an eye on things for a couple of hours.”
“Why?” Trey poured out a cup of coffee for himself and then moved to the round table that sat four, for he and Royce shared a townhouse and rarely had guests.
“I’m going for a walk in Hyde Park.” Would Trey read too much into it?
“Again, I ask why.” His brother narrowed his eyes.
Apparently, he would. Had Trey always been so annoying? “Why not?” Royce laid his teacup on the sideboard and checked the knot of cravat one last time. Then he turned and faced his brother. “It’s good exercise. Fresh air. A good opportunity to clear the mental faculties.”
“Ah hmm.” Trey slipped into a chair.
Their butler rushed—as quickly as he could with a slight limp—to fill a plate for him, which was funny since Dirkens had been one of Trey’s friends during their stint in the military. He, Trey, and Royce were around the same age. One day Dirkens had come into the clinic. His outlook was bleak since he’d been injured at Waterloo, and along with his limp, sometimes his mind wandered, rendering him unemployable for much work. Trey had made the decision to offer him the butler’s position, and they’d been getting on well together for the few years since Royce and Trey had taken up their bachelor residence.
“Do you recall that we have a full schedule today at the clinic?” Trey continued once his food had been delivered.
“I’m aware, but my appointment doesn’t begin until ten. There’s plenty of time for everything.”
“You planned it this way?”
“Not quite, but it is rather serendipitous.” Royce drifted over and sat beside his brother but declined food. “I’ll eat later. Thank you, Dirkens.”
Like a dog with a particular toothsome bone, Trey wouldn’t let the matter rest. “Explain. You’ve never taken to walking Hyde Park before.”
There was no harm in telling his brother, for he would worm the information from him eventually. There were very close as brothers, with a small age gap separating them. “I have decided to cultivate a bit of my personal life.”
“Oh?” Trey’s eyebrows shot into his hairline. “What aspects of your personal life?”
The heat of embarrassment crept up the back of Royce’s neck. “Uh, finding a companion of sorts.”
His brother snorted. Even the butler had a good chuckle. “You’re hardly elderly nor do you require friends. Be more specific, please.”