Page 82 of Appointment in Bath

“Miss Burton-Smythe’s father won’t show such forbearance,” Lord Allendale interrupted. “He has no love for the Beresfords.”

Ivo’s already frayed emotions rebelled in the face of his father’s implacable resolve. He felt for a moment as though he was once again a boy of seven, trying to persuade his father to let him have a horse instead of a pony.

“He cares for Mother,” Ivo said sullenly, though he knew full well that even that fact was in dispute. He’d disputed it himself not a month ago, along the banks of the river. It didn’t prevent him from making the same feeble argument that Meg had made that day. “He named his daughter after her, didn’t he? It follows that he must have some fondness for Mother’s children.”

“My children,” Lord Allendale said. “Your mother’s and mine. Fred hasn’t changed so much in the intervening years that he’d refrain from destroying the lot of you. He wouldn’t view it as hurting your mother. He’d view it as hurting me.”

James drew closer, adding his voice to their father’s. “If you won’t think of me, think of Kate. She’s barely out of her first season and still seeking a titled lord for a husband. She can’t afford to have someone questioning her legitimacy.”

“Kate’s given up on a title,” Ivo said. “She’s interested in Heywood now.”

“She’s toying with Heywood,” James said. “She’ll soon grow tired of him. When she does, she won’t thank you for tarnishing her good name. If you’d given a thought to her instead of indulging your childish urges, you wouldn’t be standing here now.”

“Childish? Is that how you label caring for someone?”

James’s attention sharpened. “You do care for her, then?”

“Yes,” Ivo said, provoked. “Deeply.”

His brother shook his head, as though Ivo had just admitted to an offense punishable by law. “Perfect,” he said. “Splendid.”

Lord Allendale looked to his eldest son. “That’s enough.”

“But father—”

“You may leave us. I desire to speak with your brother alone.”

James gave a humorless, laugh. “That changes everything, does it? He cares for her, so the rest of us can go to the devil?”

“James.” Their father’s tone held an unmistakable command.

“Very well,” James said. He turned to leave, delivering one last parting shot as he went. “Good luck talking sense into him.”

Ivo remained silent until his brother had gone, shutting the door behind him.

Lord Allendale contemplated Ivo with a thoughtful frown. “She’s pretty,” he said at last.

Ivo exhaled a frustrated breath. “It’s not about that.”

“Isn’t it?”

“No.” Running a hand over the back of his neck, Ivo paced the hearthrug. “If you must know, I met her by chance. And then…after that…it all got tangled up in some business I’m engaged in with Pershore.” He paused, explaining. “I’ve been meaning to discuss it with you. Pershore and I, and several of our friends, have formed a railway company, with a view toward building an extension here in Somersetshire. Lord Bruton has offered his backing. Since I returned last month, I’ve been attempting to rally support for it. Subscriptions and so forth.”

Lord Allendale betrayed no surprise.

Ivo stopped for an instant, his pacing arrested by a sudden, sinking realization. “You already knew?”

“You’ve met with Horsley, Standish, and Pinnock. It’s hardly a secret.” Lord Allendale studied Ivo’s face. “I gather that this is the reason you met with Fred, and not some secret desire to wed his daughter?”

“Yes. That is…I did meet with him to talk about the railway. He was quite interested in the idea, if you must know.”

“He would be.”

“I found him rather reasonable on the subject. Not a pleasant man, by any means, but not at all monstrous.”

“Is he not?”

“But that isn’t why—” Ivo broke off again. He resumed pacing. “I haven’t been using Meg to get to Sir Frederick. The truth is, I like her. I have from the first moment we met.”