“Only because no one seems to know them,” Elizabeth apologized. “If you tell me, then I shall have something prepared for you when next you come.”
Henry grinned. “Parmesan ice. Can you make that here?”
“You have been speaking to your mother,” Elizabeth replied with a laugh and shake of her head. She set several seed cakes on a plate for William and placed them on a table next to him. “How is she?”
“Flush with success,” Henry said. “She has her eyes set on Fitz now.”
The colonel rolled his eyes.
“Now, gentlemen,” Elizabeth said once everyone had their tea and cake. “I believe Henry had something he wished to say?”
Henry was at that moment devouring one of Cook’s wonderful ginger spice cakes. Elizabeth took note.
He swallowed some tea as they waited. “I thought it was time you all know something.” He placed his plate to the side. “I was not in jest when I told Mama I would never marry.”
Elizabeth frowned. She had not been sure what Henry wished to announce, but this surprised her.
“I will say no more than that much of what I do is in service to my country. Yesterday, I used my skills to act in service to my family, and it struck me that I have been terribly remiss. I mean to make my decisions very clear, for your sake, Richard, and for the earldom.”
The colonel’s brows pinched together. “What do you mean, Henry? Of course you will marry, and I should hope it would be soon. You are nearly forty, brother.”
Henry ran a hand over his face. “I will not marry. I cannot bring a wife into the life I lead.”
Elizabeth felt William take her hand, and she exchanged a glance with him. His expression was somber.
“Henry,” the colonel insisted, “you must sire an heir. It is your line that will continue the earldom.”
Henry shook his head slowly. “No, Richard. That is why we are here. I am informing you that should you outlive me, a distinct possibility once you leave the army, you will be the heir. And you will sire the next generation of earls.”
When the colonel froze so completely that he did not even blink, Elizabeth wished desperately there was wine in their sitting room. She spooned a good deal of honey into a cup of tea and pressed it into his hands.
“Darcy,” Henry said, ignoring his brother’s shock, “I intend to sign over a portion of my savings and allowance to my brother. Father can teach him politics, but you are the best of us all at managing an estate. Will you help?”
“But what will you do for funds, Henry?” the colonel asked, and waved weakly at his brother’s expensive clothing. “Surely you cannot live on less.”
Henry shrugged. “I have a second, rather generous allowance from the government, brother, and I am an excellent gambler. I have made quite a tidy fortune since university.” He took a sip of his tea. “No, I have done very well with my money, Richard, and have ways to earn more. I would much rather you leave the army and find yourself a wife like Elizabeth.” His sigh was wistful. “I will never be able to make Mother happy that way—but you can.”
“Does the earl know of your work?” Elizabeth asked. She felt she could be direct with Henry. “I presume the countess does not.”
Henry took up his plate again and dropped another spice cake onto it. “He knows enough to wish for ignorance. Mama must never know.”
William had been very quiet. “Henry, how much will Fitz have when you are through?”
Fitz stammered a protest, but it was ignored.
“Not a great fortune, but enough to allow him to wed.” Henry addressed his brother. “Several years ago, Father finally cleared the debt our grandfather left on the estate and has been putting away the extra for Richard. He and I will place the principal in the funds. The interest will generate a little more than one thousand a year in addition to your current allowance.”
Elizabeth placed a hand over her heart. “Not a great deal?” she laughed. “My father has only two thousand to support a wife and five daughters.”
“Four,” William reminded her.
She smiled at her husband and waited for the colonel to say something. Even if Henry were to change his mind at some point, William’s closest friend would be safe from the war. Her heart swelled with happiness for them both.
Still, the colonel did not speak.
“I will be pleased to assist you, Fitz,” William said, breaking the silence.
“And I can provide a connection to the best fabrics in the country at excellent rates,” Elizabeth assured him cheerfully. “Somewhere there is a woman who would marry you for that alone!”