The Marquis and I (The Worthingtons #4)(101)

Afterward they could take a ride in his phaeton, where he would find some little-used paths in the Park where they could be alone.

He yanked the bell pull, and a few moments later his valet appeared.

“Good morning, is everything in order, my lord?”

“Couldn’t be better. I shall be joining Lady Charlotte’s family for breakfast.”

Hot water appeared as if by magic, and in less time than he would have imagined, he was dressed and on his way down to the hall. How had he never noticed how efficient his staff was?

“My lord,” his butler, Webster, said when Con reached the hall. “Mrs. Henley would like to know if Lady Charlotte will be inspecting the house soon.”

That stopped him in his tracks. Naturally, Charlotte would wish to inspect the house. Whatever that entailed. He did not know what, exactly, the protocol was for a change in mistresses. Should his mother be in charge of her visit? Clearly, he would have to ask for advice. The problem was determining who should advise him. “I am sure she will wish to do so at some point.” If he had his way, it would be after their wedding. “I shall have to find out when she wishes to meet with Mrs. Henley.”

“Very good, my lord.” His butler opened the door. “Will you return for luncheon? Cook wishes to be informed.”

Con stopped and speared Webster with a look. “I do not recall ever being asked by my cook when I shall be here to dine.”

“No, my lord. However, you never spent much time at home before.”

That took Con aback. Still, his butler was right. Since moving out of his rooms into the house, he had had a series of mistresses and had spent most of his time with them, or at his club, or elsewhere. Come to think of it, he had spent more time here since he’d met Charlotte, than in the past four years together. “I shall have luncheon here, and tell her ladyship I would like her to join me.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

Luncheon would be the perfect time to tell his mother that his wedding had been moved from sometime in the summer, or the autumn, or never—to next week. He could also ask Mama when it would be appropriate for Charlotte to meet with his housekeeper.

He walked down the steps and lengthened his stride, entering Stanwood House about ten minutes later. His arrival barely caused a moment of silent surprise in the din he’d heard from the hall.

“Good morning.” He entered the breakfast room and strolled to Charlotte. “I thought we could at least have breakfast together.”

“I am glad you are here.” She gave him one of her sunny smiles, and he basked in the warmth.

Worthington nodded, and his wife grinned.

Phillip jumped up from his seat. “Good morning, you may have my chair. I’m finished.”

A footman cleared the remains of the boy’s breakfast, and reset the place. After Con filled his plate at the sideboard, he sat next to Charlotte. “What are your plans for today?”

“Do you mean after we meet with Matt about the settlement agreements?”

We? Con had assumed her brother would handle everything. “Yes. Before we left, I’d sent my information to him.” He was about to go through all the details with her, but stopped. He had not received the contract from his solicitor, and he and Charlotte would have enough time for that later.

“He mentioned it to me.” She handed him a cup of tea, and he spread jam on her toast. “I understand it is the same agreement that was used for Dotty and Louisa. Albeit with my information.” Charlotte munched on her toast. He even liked the sound she made when she ate. “You might as well know that there will be a provision for my property to be held in trust for my use only.”

He froze. His cup halfway to his mouth. “Did Merton and Rothwell agree to that stipulation?”

Her eyes began to dance. “Merton was not at all happy, but he wanted to marry Dotty, and that was the only way Matt would agree to the wedding. You must understand that he was not well liked at the time. Rothwell was having some financial difficulties, most of which have been resolved, and insisted Louisa not only retain her property but not use it to benefit the dukedom.”

“And now there is me.” He took a sip of his tea, wishing it was something stronger.

Charlotte’s sky-blue gaze was steady. “And now there is you.”

His family had always gained wealth through marriage. Con had given no consideration to Charlotte’s portion. It simply did not matter to him. But if he had, based on the number of brothers and sisters she possessed on the Carpenter side of her family, he would have thought her dowry was no more than respectable. Still, a little voice suggested that might not be the case. It was entirely possible that Worthington, clever man that he was, was more devious than Con had previously thought. Her friend and sister had got married within a matter of weeks of meeting their betrotheds. That was quick even by the standards of the ton.

Ergo, by the time the agreements were presented, a man in love would never oppose them. To do so would be to risk losing the only woman he needed. “I shall not disagree to that provision.”

Con thought he heard her let out a breath, but he could not be sure. He knew in his bones that if he did not agree, Charlotte would never be his, and her presence in his life was more important than increasing his family’s wealth.

As the children left, the breakfast room gradually quieted. Soon they were alone with Matt and Grace, who were seated at the other end of the table, their heads together, speaking quietly.