“Certainly, that is a consideration.”
He did not say anything more but reached for his brandy so that he might take another sip. On that point, Jonathan found himself a trifle more unsettled. He did not want to take a bride simply so that she might produce the ‘heir and the spare’ as so many put it. Nor did he wish to simply see his wife only on certain occasions whilst, in the meantime, maintaining entirely separate lives. Lord Harrogate might be contented with such a situation, but Jonathan knew that it would not suit him. He wanted very much to have a wife who would be something of a companion to him, to be there to converse with, to dine with, and to enjoy walks and carriage rides with. That was, perhaps, not what most gentlemen considered, but it was what Jonathan himself wanted – not that he shared such expectations and hopes with his friends for fear of mockery!
“You are not going to open the letter then and see when and where your mother is coming?” Lord Harrogate arched one eyebrow. “You will need to prepare yourself.”
Jonathan waved a hand and threw back the rest of his brandy before he answered.
“I shall do so in time,” he stated firmly. “There is no particular rush at present.”
And thus, the conversation continued, with talk of balls, of soirees, and gossip that either had overheard and, of course, of the young ladies who were at present in London. The letter from Lady Havisham remained quite forgotten and, indeed, as the days went by, Jonathan did not recall that he had not opened it and quite forgot that he had received it at all. It sat in between the chair cushions, resting there, and allowing itself to be quite forgotten as the days drew on and Jonathan threw himself into London society.
* * *
“My Lord?”
Jonathan groaned and did not lift his head from where he now rested it on his arms.
“I am certain, Armstrong, that I told you I was not to be disturbed this morning.”
His butler cleared his throat.
“Indeed you did, my Lord, but there is such a happening taking place that I had no choice but to interrupt you.”
His head felt so very heavy that Jonathan struggled to lift it.
“What is taking place?” he asked, his vision a little blurred still. “Is there something wrong?” A frown formed across his brow as he took in the way his butler shifted from foot to foot. “There has not been an accident?”
Shaking his head, the butler steepled his hands together, stilling completely.
“My Lord,” he said, with as much calmness as he could. “Your mother has arrived and insists that she is residing here for the Season.”
In an instant, Jonathan became completely alert. His eyes flared and he looked directly back at his butler, who gave him only one small, rather solemn nod.
“Residing here?”
The butler spread his hands.
“We had no knowledge of this, my Lord. I can only apologize that we were not prepared.”
Jonathan shook his head, flapping one hand towards the butler.
“There is no blame here, Armstrong. I did not know and thus, did not prepare you. I –”
He stuttered to a stop, his eyes flaring wide as he stared at the butler in slow growing horror.
The letter.
He had not read it. He had not even opened it and that, no doubt, was the reason for his shock at present. Lady Havisham would have informed him of her arrival in that particular letter, but he had quite forgotten about it. Closing his eyes, Jonathan dropped his head and groaned.
“My – my Lord?”
The butler sounded distinctly concerned and Jonathan could only shake his head, letting out a long, slow breath that did nothing to take away his frustration.
Planting both hands on his desk, Jonathan opened his eyes and muttered darkly under his breath. It seemed that he was going to be unable to escape from his mother this Season as he had done last year – and it had been all of his own fault.
“Have my mother’s room prepared as quickly as possible.” Straightening, he let out another frustrated sigh. “Ask her to wait in the drawing-room until such a time as her room is prepared and I shall join her there in a few minutes. Make sure there are refreshments sent up as soon as possible.”
The butler nodded but did not turn away.