Page 57 of Return to Satterthwaite Court

“Four altogether. He stopped at Heywood House on leave for just a few weeks, then. He was but four and twenty and I only fifteen. I feared it would be a long while before we met again. And it has been.”

“I can’t imagine one of my own brothers disappearing for years on end,” Kate said. “Though sometimes I have wished them to Hades.”

“Charles wasn’t meant to disappear. He was supposed to go to Cambridge.”

“And instead, he joined the Navy. Yes, Mr. Trumble mentioned something to that effect.”

“My parents weren’t at all pleased,” Hannah said.

"Surely they didn’t expect him to remain close to home forever?”

“No, indeed. Charles didn’t like the peacefulness of the countryside as well as we did. Not then.”

“And now?”

“He speaks of purchasing an estate and settling down right here in Somersetshire,” Hannah said doubtfully.

Kate came to attention. “You don’t believe him?”

“I don’t know. I hope he’ll choose to settle here, but…”

“But?”

“In the past he was drawn away by his thirst for adventure.”

Kate’s brows notched. She recalled Charles mentioning his attraction to adventure on their return journey from Satterthwaite Court. He’d spoken of it as being part of his past. “Perhaps he’s changed, as you said.”

“Perhaps.” Hannah plucked at the silk covering of one of the cushions. She was loyal to her brother, that was plain, and was clearly regretting having already revealed too much. “I expect only time will tell.”

“As diplomatic an answer as any.” Kate took Hannah’s hand. “Be easy. I won’t spend the whole of your visit interrogating you about your brother. However,” she added with a cheeky grin, “if you want to know anything about one of mine, you need only ask.”

* * *

Charles was returning to his room to change for dinner after a game of billiards with Ivo and Jack when he passed the Earl of Allendale on the stairs. Thus far, the two of them had only met in company. There had seemed no need to solicit a private interview with the man. At least, not this early in Charles and Kate’s acquaintance.

But Lord Allendale, it seemed, had other plans. “Heywood,” he said. “Well met. Join me in my study a moment, if you please.”

Charles could hardly refuse. He followed the earl back down the hall. His study was a darkly masculine room furnished with leather, mahogany, and claret-and-gold-threaded Aubusson. A branch of candles flickered on the mantelshelf, illuminating another portrait of Lady Allendale.

It was a similar painting to the one Charles had observed in the drawing room, though this portrait was smaller and obviously of a more intimate nature. The countess’s hair was loose over her shoulder and she was half turned, as though casting a private glance at the viewer.

That viewer being her husband.

Lord Allendale’s desk was situated directly across the room from his wife’s portrait, presumably so he might look at it while he worked. Another indication of the happy state of their marriage.

It put Charles in mind of his own parents. Arthur kept a portrait of Philly as well. Except the painting of Charles’s mother had been done in miniature, making it easier for his father to carry it with him always.

Lord Allendale sat down behind his desk, motioning for Charles to take a seat. “You’ll forgive a father’s curiosity, but hearing of your association with my daughter, I took the liberty of writing to a friend of mine at the Admiralty.”

Charles remained standing. “I see.”

Lord Allendale extracted a letter from his desk. “I believe you know Admiral Dixon?”

Charles stiffened. “You must know that I do.”

Lord Allendale glanced up at him. “Come. Sit down. I won’t torture you any more than your own father would torture a gentleman who had become entangled with your sister.”

Charles reluctantly took a seat in one of the chairs in front of the earl’s desk. His mouth settled in a grim line. “That’s not very reassuring.”