Stephanie Laurens - A Gentleman's Honor

As soon as David and Matthew had had a turn at batting, she called a halt. “Come along—we have to get back for tea.”

Her brothers, flushed and glowing with happiness, ran up.

“I say.” David tugged her hand. “Can Tony come home with us for tea?”

Alicia looked down into David’s bright eyes. Tony— Torrington was Tony to them. That seemed dangerous. But David, even more than the other two, was lonely here in London, and what, after all, could Torrington do? She smiled. “If he wishes.”

“Will you come? Will you come?” The chorus was instantaneous.

Joining them, Tony—Torrington—glanced at her. “If your sister doesn’t mind.”

She wasn’t at all sure it was a good idea, and he knew it; she met his gaze, but kept her expression easy. “If you have no objection to sitting down to a nursery tea, then by all means do join us.”

He smiled, not just with his lips but with those coal black eyes; if she’d had a fan, she would have deployed it. He bowed. “Thank you. I’d be delighted.”

Thrilled, thoroughly pleased with their new acquaintance, the boys took his hands; surrounding him, they danced by his side all the way back to Waverton Street, peppering him with questions.

At first, following behind with Jenkins, she merely listened, learning that Tony was an only child and had grown up mostly in Devon, but also in part in London. He knew all the childhood haunts. But when Harry, military mad, asked if he’d served overseas, and he replied he had, her protective instincts flared.

Quickly lengthening her stride, she came up beside Matthew, tripping along, Tony’s hand in his, gazing adoringly up at his new friend.

“So which were you in—the navy or the army?”

“The army—the Guards.”

“And you were at Waterloo?”

“Yes.”

“Did you lead a charge?”

She jumped in. “Boys, I really don’t think we need to hear about charges and fighting over tea.”

Torrington glanced at her briefly, a swift, penetrating look, then he turned back to her brothers. “Your sister’s right—war is not fun. It’s horrible, and frightening, and dreadful to be involved in.”

David’s eyes grew round. Harry’s face fell.

Alicia only just managed to keep her own jaw from falling.

“But…”Harry blinked at Torrington. “I want to be a major in the Guards when I grow up. Or the cavalry.”

“I was a major in both, and I’d suggest you rethink. Aside from all else, there are no more enemies to fight. Being in the cavalry in peacetime might not be the exciting life you imagine.”

They’d reached the front steps of the house. Torrington waved the boys ahead of him, then waited for Alicia to precede him. She went quickly up the steps and opened the door, then stood back, and the three boys filed in.

Gracefully, Torrington waved her on, then followed.

“Upstairs and wash your hands, please.” She shooed her brothers to the stairs. “Then you may join us in the parlor.”

They flashed swift smiles at Torrington, then clattered up the stairs. Jenkins shut the door. She turned to him. “If you could order tea, Jenkins?”

“Indeed, ma’am.” Jenkins bowed and left them.

She turned to Torrington. “Thank you.” She met his black eyes. “That was just the right thing to say.”

He studied her for a moment, then one black brow arched. “It’s no more than the truth.”

But one few ex-majors in the Guards would admit . Inclining her head, she led him to the parlor. Located at the back of the house, it was the room she and Adriana used most, when they were alone or with the boys, en famille . A comfortable room in which the boys could relax without worrying overmuch about the furniture, it was a trifle shabby, but she didn’t care as she led Torrington in; she’d warned him it was to be a nursery tea.

Adriana was there, poring over the latest fashion plates. She glanced up, saw Torrington, and rose, smiling.

After Adriana and Torrington exchanged greetings, they all sat. Even though the room was decently sized, Alicia was aware of his physical presence, his strength. Adriana asked how he had come to join them; he related the story of the game in the park. Every now and then, his gaze would touch Alicia’s, and a teasing smile would flirt about his lips. She was relieved when the boys rejoined them, bursting upon them in a noisy, albeit well-behaved wave, and the talk became more general.

Jenkins appeared with the tray; if Torrington noticed the oddity in that, he gave no sign.

She poured; on their best behavior, the boys offered Torrington the plate of crumpets first. He went up in their estimation—and hers—when he accepted one and smeared it with globs of jam, just as the boys did with theirs. All were soon munching happily.

Crumpet dealt with in three bites, Torrington wiped his fingers on his napkin, then reached for his teacup. He looked at her brothers. “Your sister told me you live in Warwickshire—is there much sport up that way? Shooting? Hunting?”

David wrinkled his nose. “Some fishing, some shooting, not much hunting just where we are. That’s south Warwickshire.”

Harry waved his remaining crumpet. “There’s hunting around Banbury, but not down near us.”

“Well,” David temporized. “There’s a small, really tiny pack runs out of Chipping Norton, but it’s not what you’d call a real hunt.”

From the corner of his eye, Tony saw Alicia and Adriana exchange a swift glance; the instant the boys had started mentioning towns, Alicia had tensed. He pressed harder. “Chipping Norton? Is that your nearest town? I’ve a friend who lives up that way.”

Alicia leaned forward. “Harry! Be careful. You’re about to drip jam.”

Adriana grabbed his napkin and wiped Harry’s fingers. Neither Tony nor Harry could see any physical reason for his sisters’ sudden action.

“There.” Adriana sat back. “Now why don’t you tell Lord Torrington about that huge trout you caught last year?”

Instead, the boys fixed Tony with round eyes.

“Are you really a lord?” Matthew asked.

Tony grinned. “Yes.”

“What sort of lord?” David asked.

“A viscount.” Tony could see from their faces they were trying to recall the order of precedence. “It’s a small lordship. The second smallest.”

They weren’t deterred. “Does that mean you get to wear a coronet at a coronation?”

“What sort of cloak do you get to wear?”

“Do you have a castle?”

He laughed, and answered as best he could, noting the relieved look Alicia threw Adriana; his presence in her parlor was making her skittish, and on more than one front.

Interrogating her brothers was not a gentlemanly act, yet he’d learned long ago that when it came to matters of treason, and that was what he and Dalziel and Whitley were dealing with in one guise or another, one couldn’t adhere to gentlemanly scruples. In that particular theater, adhering to such scruples was a fast way to die, failing one’s country in the process.

He felt no remorse for having used the three boys; they’d come to no harm, and he’d learned what he needed. Now he had to interrogate their elder sister. Again.

“Time for your afternoon lessons, boys. Come along, now.” Alicia stood, waving her brothers to their feet.

They rose, casting glances at Tony; knowing on which side his bread was buttered, he gave them no encouragement to defy their sister, but rose, too, and gravely shook hands.

With resigned polite farewells, the boys trooped out; Alicia followed them into the hall, consigning them into Jenkins’s care.

Seizing the moment, Tony turned to Adriana.

She’d risen, too, and now smiled. “I believe you’re acquainted with Lord Manningham, my lord.”