Page 73 of The Scandal of the Season

‘Including Duke Wellington.’

‘I see…’

‘Who is to perform as well.’

Lord Rotherby waited, beginning to understand that his wife’s youngest sister had Benson entirely wrapped around her little finger, and Benson was as much traumatised as he was captivated.

‘Miss Godminster also asked me to mention there has been a delivery from Paris, which she believes may be a response to her ladyship’s sketches.’

‘Ah, well that is good news, Benson.’

‘Though I’m not sure what a Parisian modiste can have to say to a lady in the Rotherby household after all,’ Benson huffed.

‘Quite,’ Lord Rotherby agreed, trying to edge back through the doorway. ‘But if she takes Paris by storm in the spring, no one will be prouder than me.’

‘Of course, my lord,’ Benson said, clearly not quite ready to leave. ‘Mrs Farleigh was also wondering, my lord… that is, she asked if you’d like the, ahem… adjoining bedchamber opened now?’ he added, coughing to cover his embarrassment. ‘It’s only on account of the length of timeLady Rotherby has occupied your lordship’s bedchamber, my lord. She is a little concerned that you might not both be getting… enough rest.’

A grin broke out across Lord Rotherby’s face, as he finally understood the question to which his elderly retainer had been building.

‘Benson, please tell Mrs Farleigh that I appreciate her concern, but my answer is the same today as it was three months ago. Lady Rotherby and I are most content with our bedchamber arrangements, and will undoubtedly be so for some time. Perhaps, if Mrs Farleigh is so inclined, she might like to redirect her concern to Horace, who will be in need of considerable understanding for the foreseeable future?’

‘Yes, my lord. I will let her know, my lord,’ Benson said with a sigh, finally turning away.

Rotherby closed the door with an amused smile, before glancing at his sleeping wife. Then he set about collecting his scattered clothing, marvelling at how he, Lord Dominic Hugo Rotherby, notorious rake, sworn gambler, wager-maker and unrivalled darling of the ton, could ever have been brought to this state: a married father-to-be with more headstrong family, whimsical friends and cantankerous dependents than he ever would have believed.

And that he was really, quite scandalously, content.