Lord Sebastian's Secret (The Duke's Sons #3)(76)

Unusually, the whole family lingered around the breakfast table. Emma hovered over her brother, plying him with food. Hilda pelted him with questions about his recent walking tour and his university activities, interspersed with more practical inquiries from their mother. Georgina listened to the answers with a fond smile. It was almost as if the king, or some equally august personage, had arrived, Sebastian thought. It seemed it was a grand thing to be the single son with several sisters, rather than just one of a crowd of boys.

It was obvious that the marquess was also delighted to see his son home again. He said little, but beamed on the scene like a benevolent blond bear. Miss Byngham, on the other hand, sat at the far end of the board and visibly brooded over her displacement from center stage. There was no sign of Mr. Mitra.

Edgar received all the attention with patent enjoyment, responding to each question with kind enthusiasm and devouring every tidbit offered. He’d already heard the ritual plan by the time Sebastian joined them, and he looked more boyish than ever as Hilda gave him more the details, seeming both amused and intrigued. Clearly, he wasn’t going to raise any objections.

Sebastian had had a good talk with him last night in the kitchens. Stripping down to your drawers before a man and washing off a coat of mud created a certain automatic intimacy, he’d found. While Edgar stuffed down stolen food like a starving schoolboy, Sebastian had dropped all the hints he could think of about the inappropriateness of this ritual idea. Without, of course, saying anything really negative about the Stane family. But here was Edgar apparently on board with it this morning. So there was going to be no help from that direction. Sebastian ate dourly, wondering what the deuce he was going to do.

After breakfast, Georgina’s father bustled about like a troop commander on the eve of a royal review. There was no question that he was enjoying himself hugely. Joanna and Hilda were his zealous junior officers, chivvying a group of servants about the place. The only good news from this unlikely trio was that they’d decided they needed more time to prepare, as well as incorporate a part for Edgar. So the thing was now set for Friday, only two days before the Gresham family was due.

Sebastian discovered that Georgina had given in on every other point, insisting only that it be over and done well before their guests arrived. Otherwise, she ignored the upheaval and worked with her mother to perfect the arrangements for the wedding party. Edgar, on the other hand, was gradually drawn into the planning. Sebastian watched him grow more interested, even as he remained amused. He soon headed off to the attics to root about for some bit of paraphernalia.

Sebastian found no opportunity to speak to Georgina until he came into the dining parlor in the afternoon and found her facing Randolph over the cold collation spread for luncheon.

“I thought they didn’t wish me to have anything to do with it,” Randolph was saying.

“Joanna isn’t keen,” Georgina replied. “It’s just that Papa has decided you should be there as a representative of Sebastian’s family.”

“Well, I should rather like to see it.” Randolph had noticed his brother’s entry. “I’ll guard your flank, Sebastian,” he added.

He meant it as no more than a brother’s teasing; Sebastian knew that. But he couldn’t suppress a wince as Georgina turned and smiled at him. “He doesn’t need guarding,” she said. “He’ll be splendid, because he always is.”

Sebastian allowed himself a moment’s basking in her loving gaze. It made the world seem brighter. But he’d never been a coward. He was going to have to find a way to tell her.

Georgina looked past him and nodded. “Mr. Mitra.”

The Indian gentleman bowed in his customary way and went over to examine a selection of fresh fruit. “I have decided that it is best I return home,” he said as he helped himself. “I have enjoyed your family’s hospitality for quite a time.” He acknowledged Georgina with a nod and smile. “I am most grateful. But the knowledge I attempted to impart in return…has not taken root.” He made a graceful gesture with his free hand. “I am a poor teacher, it seems. I shall go back home to become a student again.”

“I’m sorry if Joanna’s…imaginative interpretation of your ideas is driving you away,” Georgina replied.

Mitra sighed. “Please do not associate these two things, my Lady Georgina. Miss Byngham’s…philosophy is wholly her own, as I have tried so often to explain. I only hope this is not the impression I leave behind in your country.”

“But you will stay for my wedding?”

Mitra looked surprised.

“You’ve been here through so much of the…prelude. It just seems as if you should be there.”

He bowed again. “I’m honored that you ask it of me, Lady Georgina. Of course I agree. As long as it is clear that I can have nothing to do with the…” Mitra appeared to search for a word to describe Miss Byngham’s ritual. And fail.

Emma came into the room as Georgina nodded her understanding of his position. “Mama wants you,” Emma said to her sister. She began collecting food on a tray she’d brought with her, including a very large pile of cold meat. “And some luncheon.” She handed Georgina the now laden tray.

“We’ll never eat all this beef,” Georgina began. “Oh.”

Sebastian steeled himself and stepped forward. “There’s something we must discuss.”