A Wedding In Springtime(52)

Grant groaned.

“You mind telling me what is wrong?”

The men climbed onto Marchford’s curricle and Grant proceeded to tell him how he had acquired a child. The story was so remarkable, prompting Marchford to ask multiple questions, that Grant was unable to complete the tale before they arrived at the Bremerton household and were required to make an appearance.

Marchford discharged his duty, handing Lady Bremerton the guest list. Naturally they were invited to visit, and naturally they obliged. Despite the presence of Miss Talbot and Lady Louisa in the parlor, Lady Bremerton dominated the conversation. “I hear you are considering making some changes to your garden,” said Lady Bremerton.

Marchford acknowledged this was true.

“Why don’t you take a stroll through our garden, so you can get some ideas? Louisa has been instrumental in the placement of our new rose bushes.”

It was a clear ploy to get Marchford and Louisa to spend time together, but despite the apparent disinterest from either of the primary parties, the plan was accepted. Lady Bremerton bowed out of the excursion and so the young people went out into the garden.

The garden was quite beautiful with straight, manicured shrubs in neat lines and occasional rows of flowers, also neat and well manicured. After a few prods from Grant, Marchford took the hint and became more verbose, asking Louisa about the garden and describing his plans for his own garden expansion. Louisa responded infrequently, with hardly more than monosyllabic replies.

Genie and Grant held back to allow the betrothed time to foster their relationship, such as it was.

“I must thank you for encouraging Marchford to develop an acquaintance with his future wife,” said Genie when the dubious couple was out of hearing range.

“I believe the honor of this visit belongs to the scheming of the dowager duchess and Lady Bremerton.”

“Then I thank you for being one of the party. I am anxious to know how things are going with little Jem.”

Grant knew she would ask him and he was going to have to make a reply. He took her gloved hand and led her to a stone bench where they both sat down. He should release the dainty hand, but he did not, holding it loosely for fear he might crush her hand.

“Jem is quite a scamp. A more incurable heathen I have never met, which is saying quite a bit since I was educated at Eton,” added Grant.

Genie shook her head. “That is very bad. One can only hope he grows out of it.”

“Maybe he is growing. It would explain the appetite. Despite being fed here, he declared himself hungry and has been eating almost without ceasing. Must be hollow inside. He may beggar me on his board alone.”

“I do apologize for getting you into this predicament. I will certainly reimburse you for any expenses you incur in his upkeep.”

“Certainly not! Besides, the situation may be resolved, though perhaps not to your liking.”

“Has he caused any problems?”

Grant smiled. “My entire staff from the housekeeper to the cook threatened to quit if I did not find a new home for him.”

“Oh! That is very bad. Whatever did he do?”

“I put the lad in the charge of my housekeeper.”

Genie nodded in approval.

“Apparently, this morning, they tried to give him a bath.”

“Very reasonable,” said Genie in agreement. “He did appear to be in need of it.”

“He disagreed. A housemaid was bit, a footman has a black eye, and apparently the bath water was flung on François’s soufflé.”

“That is terribly bad!”

“Quite! You should have seen François. He brought me the soufflé, which had fallen something awful, and he was soaked through. The only one who did not take a bath today was Jem.” Despite the commotion it caused in his mother’s household, Grant could not think upon the incident without a smile.

Genie put her hands on her cheeks in an expression of dismay. “I am sorry I plagued you with such a child.”

“A plague! Yes, that is exactly what my housekeeper called him.”

“We shall definitely need to make better arrangements for him. Where is he now?”

“That is the part I fear will not please you. Jem took off running, with most of the staff in pursuit, destroying a vase in the process. Caused such a commotion I could not help but join in the fun. I chased the miscreant into the garden and over a hedge, but I fear I lost him.”

“You poor man! Well, that explains your cravat. I am very sorry.”