“I’m not,” he promised her. “I would make an abysmal soldier. And any profession I might reasonably claim without aptitude or education would require time and distance from my properties, which would only see them fall into even more disrepair.”
“Sometimes our efforts to improve situations only render them worse.” Mater spoke with utmost empathy.
“Sadly, that is true. But I don’t intend to give up.” Not yet, at least.
“You were always a very faithful correspondent, Scott.” Mater held his gaze with a very firm one of her own. “I expect to hear from you while we’re apart. I can’t solve your difficulties, but sharing worries can help a person face them. I will be very put out with you if you neglect to write.”
He actually smiled a little, which felt good. “I have never neglected to write to anyone. Sending letters has always been a source of great enjoyment for me. I even write to my mother, though she never writes back.”
“Speaking as a mother, I am certain she enjoys getting your letters even if she is not as dedicated to writing them as you are.”
“Or asyouare,” he said.
“Or as my Lucas was. He wrote the very best letters.” The memory didn’t seem to pain her, which Scott appreciated. Sometimes recollections of the late earl weighed on her.
The traveling coach was turning toward a house. “I suspect this is Brier Hill,” Scott said.
They both watched as the humble elegance of the home came into view. There was nothing ostentatious about it, neither was there any degree of neglect or disrepair. How Scott hoped that proved the case at Thimbleby.
A man who was likely the butler stepped out the front door as the carriage came to a stop. Mater was handed down. Scott stepped out as well. Their traveling trunks were quickly seen to.
In the next moment, Artemis Jonquil rushed out the door toward them, eyes bright with excitement but also with surprise.
Surprise.
That was not a good sign.
“Mater!” Artemis threw her arms around her mother-in-law. “How wonderful. Charlie is in the garden, else he would have greeted you, I’m certain.” Artemis’s eyes darted between Mater and the trunks being unloaded. Her unspoken question could not be mistaken.
“Did my message not arrive?” Mater asked.
“We have had no messages from you.”
Scott’s heart dropped to his feet. It was what he’d feared. Mater would, of course, be welcome; she was beloved by everyone. Buthisreception was more in question.
“Some have an heir,” his uncle had often spat at him, “but I have nothing but a burden.”
Nothing but a burden.
“I am on my way to Falstone Castle,” Mater explained to their would-be hostess. “Adam will be fetching me from here. I wonder if the messenger misunderstood and went directly to Falstone.”
“No matter.” Artemis waved off all objections. “You are welcome here anytime you choose, with or without warning.” She turned to Scott. “You are entirely welcome as well, Mr. Sarvol. Jonquils will always have a home here.”
“I’m not a Jonquil.” He felt he ought to remind her.
“Tosh. You are one of Mater’s boys, whether you recognize it or not.” Artemis didn’t sound annoyed at his presence. He chose to see that as promising. “I will have Mrs. Giles take your things upstairs. We are a bit packed to the rafters at the moment, with friends here for a house party.” She looked to Mater. “I hope you will not be uncomfortable if I have you use my bedchamber until Adam fetches you. It was yours before it was mine, after all.”
“I will not toss you out of your room, Artemis,” Mater said firmly.
“Nonsense. I will simply make myself at home in Charlie’s room. He will have no objections.”
“If I am causing you too much difficulty,” Scott said, “I assure you I can find myself lodgings somewhere else.”
“We have room. Three of Charlie’s friends from Cambridge are descending upon us today. You would need to share a room with one of them, but the rooms are well arranged for precisely that. It was the Jonquil boys who used them over the years, so they are all furnished to be shared.”
“You are certain Charlie’s friends won’t object?” He didn’t want to cause anyone difficulties.
Artemis tipped her chin upward at a regal angle. “They wouldn’t dare.”