Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match(41)

“He’s a good match for Solomon; they both have the same white blaze. Sir Black’s horse,” Jacob prompted when she looked blank.

“Will finally named his horse,” Angelika said, beaming. “Please make his stable a nameplate.”

“I surely will. Sir, I’ll take him.” He led away the two horses, tying Christopher’s nearby. As he walked off into the darkness, Jacob called out, “And, miss? I’m terribly sorry. For what I did.” He was gone before she could question him.

“Has he already made a blunder?” Angelika pulled off her gloves. “More staff popping up around here. Probably a good thing.”

“Who is Sir Black? An uncle or cousin to impress?” Christopher examined his cuff. “Never fear, I shall attempt it.”

“He is my brother’s colleague,” Angelika said as the front door opened. “Ah, here he is now.”

Will stepped out to join them, and the two men faced each other.

It was like comparing daylight to darkness. Christopher was a bright, blond sunny day; a creaseless sheet on a washing line. But Angelika had always been drawn to the calm, cool, and stars. She liked lightning strikes, and the tawny patterns in owl feathers. The intimacy of what she had done with Will—how she had created him and watched his first breath—could not be matched by any other.

The shock of the two men’s juxtaposition blended into a new concern: this was a huge risk for Will to take if he had indeed originated from the military academy. But a bland silence followed.

“How do you do? I am Commander Christopher Keatings.”

“Will Black. I am well, thank you. Very late to come home, Angelika.” Will spoke like a chiding husband—a role he seemed to take on whenever it suited him. “You are not dressed well enough for the cold.”

She would usually luxuriate in his concern, but it was not done for her benefit. “I’m not a child. Hiring stablehands for me, are you? And a groundskeeper?” She ran a hand over the tamed honeysuckle.

Will’s stare intensified. “I live here, so I see where the household shortcomings are. You also have a cook starting tomorrow.”

Christopher raised his eyebrow. “Hiring staff is a wifely duty.”

Will did not take the bait. “All I want is for Angelika to live comfortably.” The unspoken end to that sentence was when I am gone.

She bristled. “I’ve always been comfortable.”

Will continued answering Christopher. “We don’t rely on rank, and we all contribute. Men and women do things quite equally here.”

“How modern,” Christopher managed. The air between the men was now tense. “What exactly is your acquaintanceship, Angelika?” It was obvious to Christopher that the brother’s colleague label did not fit. When she dithered on a reply, and Will offered nothing, Christopher decided to sidestep the foot soldier and appeal to the general. “I should like to meet your brother.”

Before she could answer, a female voice above them said, “And to think, I’d been worried about the lack of theater in the countryside.”

They all looked up to see Victor and Lizzie both hanging out an open window. He was shirtless, and Lizzie appeared to be wearing bedsheets.

Victor bit into his apple, and said with his mouth full, “So you’re the commander. Jelly has been very coy about you. Handsome blighter,” he added as an aside to Lizzie. “Bloody hell, not a hair out of place, and meanwhile, Jelly looks like she’s waltzed through a hedge.”

“Shut up,” Angelika cursed him. “Lizzie, do I?”

“You look ethereal,” Lizzie assured her. “Moonlight becomes you ever so much.”

“You are truly lovely,” Christopher confirmed.

Will crossed his arms, his face tight with displeasure.

“Hedge,” Victor said again.

Christopher bowed to him. “Lord Frankenstein, it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Commander Christopher Keatings.” Meeting a flushed undressed couple, one floor up, did not faze him. “And good evening to you, madam.”

“Hello, I’m Lizzie. Almost-Duchess Lizzie Frankenstein.” This earned her a ravenous love bite on her shoulder, and her husky laugh rang out across the gardens.

Christopher persevered. “I have escorted Angelika home safely. We were enjoying ourselves too much, and afternoon tea became supper.”

“He’d like it to turn into breakfast.” Lizzie’s whispered quip carried beautifully in the night air. “Oh, invite him in, Bear. Let’s all play cards.” Then she whispered something, and Victor whispered back. Then they started kissing.

Angelika huffed at how socially inconsiderate they were. “Did you find that man you were searching for, Vic?”

“I didn’t go out today,” Victor said, after tearing himself away. He did look suitably chagrined. “I was . . . busy.”

“Well, it looks like rain, so well done. He’ll be wet and cold.”

“Perhaps I could be of assistance,” Christopher offered, glancing between the siblings. “Who is it you are looking for?”

Victor hesitated, and then appeared to make a decision. “Come for dinner, Chris, so we can get to know you. We could use some entertainment. Here, Belladonna.” He dropped his apple core into the garden below, which prompted a great deal of rustling and grunting, but Christopher did not blink.