Page 98 of Appointment in Bath

“I never thought I’d see the day,” James remarked, coming to join him.

“Nor I.” Ivo walked on, his sights firmly fixed on Meg. She was but a few yards ahead of him, the gentle sway of her pale pink wool skirts unmistakable in the milling crowd.

James walked at Ivo’s side, hands thrust into the pockets of his trousers. His austere black suit stood in stark contrast to the more colorful, and often dated, ensembles worn by the other gentlemen in the Pump Room. “They’d only endure it for your sake,” he said. “Were it me, I’d never have asked them to.”

“I didn’t ask them.” Ivo cast his brother a narrow glance. “Anyway, you mustn’t disapprove entirely. If you did, you wouldn’t be here.”

James looked at Meg. “She is rather perfect for you, I admit.”

Ivo’s brows lifted. “I’m sorry. I seem to have suddenly lost my hearing.”

His brother smiled slightly. “I can admit when I’m wrong.”

“And can you apologize?”

“I shouldn’t think it necessary. My concern was only for our parents, and for the preservation of the title. Sir Frederick knew our father as a boy. He set out to destroy him once. I don’t give second chances.”

“Maybe you should start,” Ivo said. “Some people are capable of changing, you know. Anyway, he won’t hurt us now. Not now that Meg and I are to be married.”

“I trust not.” James paused. “By the way, Pinnock is putting it about that he had a hand in orchestrating your betrothal.”

Ivo gave a short laugh. “I’m not surprised.”

Ivo had sent Ruggiero home last month. Companionable as he was, his valeting skills had left a great deal to be desired. Doubtless, on returning to Maidenbridge, the signore had given his new employer a full report on the state of Ivo and Meg’s romance.

“And I still haven’t heard an apology,” Ivo added.

“Very well,” James said. “If it will shut you up. I’m sorry if I was—”

“An arse? You were. But I accept your apology.” Ivo flashed his brother another look. “Though I’m not such a gudgeon as to believe you came all the way to Bath merely to show your support for my engagement.”

“True,” James said. “I’m eager to talk with you about this railway business of yours.”

“Oh?”

“Father gave me the impression that it would take as many as seven years to complete building the extension through Somerset.”

“A standard amount of time.”

“And you’ve obtained enough subscriptions?”

“I have,” Ivo said. The acknowledgment contained a wealth of satisfaction. Now that enough money had been pledged for the expansion, all that remained was for Parliament to approve the scheme. “But I wasn’t talking about the railway. There’s another reason for your being here that has nothing to do with my engagement, or with my business prospects.”

James lapsed into silence.

“Miss Heywood is arriving next month, is she not?” Ivo asked.

His brother’s stern face was immediately wiped clean of expression. “What has that to do with me?”

“Nothing, I imagine. She’s not a duke’s daughter, is she? Nor an heiress or a princess. She’s merely a very interesting young lady. A beauty, to be sure. I wager she’ll make a match in the first month.”

“Ivo—”

“The first week,” Ivo added remorselessly. “You’ll have to act fast.”

James glared at him. “Are you quite finished?”

“For the moment. But do recollect, I’m poised to marry the woman I love this summer. If you require my advice on courtship, you need only ask me for it. Or you could always ask Kate. She’s about to marry as well. Indeed, it seems we’ve both beaten you to the finish line.”