Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

Agatha swept into the room on her grandfather’s arm and every nerve in Oscar’s body tingled. She was here for Lilly, not him, and the knowledge twisted his gut into a crushing band. She should be on his arm and by his side. He still had to speak with her grandfather and gain his permission for marriage before he could attempt to obtain a special license or else run off to Gretna Green. If he could get a license, perhaps he could persuade Mr. Manning to marry them, too.

His father. His real father.

Oscar took a drink. He wasn’t quite as shocked as he probably should be over his mother and Manning. But knowing the truth would take some getting used to. He had overheard the whole of the conversation he thought, and Manning’s feeble excuse for sharing her bed. He could hardly begrudge the man who gave him life. He would confide in Agatha about it as soon as he could. He wouldn’t keep secrets from her anymore.

Oscar moved closer as Lord and Lady Daventry greeted her. Her simple gown of burgundy silk with fine lace edging accentuated the long, smooth curve of her throat and the tightly bound blonde hair on her head.

She looked enchanting.

She looked nervous.

Her gaze darted about the room and settled briefly on a far corner, where Lady Penelope stood with her father, sister, and her ever-present brother-in-law, Lord Prewitt. It would be expected that Oscar should be conversing with their party, not delaying his return with meaningless chatter to another of Daventry’s friends. But he wanted Agatha.

As he drained the last of his drink, a necessary fortification for the long dinner ahead, he noticed how often Penelope’s eyes turned toward her brother by marriage. She was clearly fond of him, though there was never anything in Prewitt’s manner to suggest he was similarly affected. Her sister gazed adoringly at Prewitt, too, but in the manner acceptable in polite circles for a wife—a saucy smile, a gentle touch.

He looked forward to the day when Agatha might be that easy with him in society. He longed for the moment when he might introduce her as his wife.

He accepted another glass, swallowed a mouthful, and then considered his fresh glass. He wasn’t foxed. The drink had had little effect on him so far, but he was well on the way to feeling more himself than he had in months. A man who was sure of one thing.

The woman he loved beyond anything else in life had stepped into the room.

Within moments, he was at her side. “Miss Birkenstock, may I say you look enchanting tonight.”

Agatha blinked at his sudden arrival, and then quickly dropped into a curtsey. “You are too kind, my lord.”

So formal, so proper. Too distant. That would never do. He caught her hand and kissed the air above it. He let a little of his delight show in his grin, but only so much that Agatha would notice. He turned to her grandfather. “Mr. Birkenstock, sir. It is good to see you returned to Town. Was your trip a pleasant one?”

“Yes, yes. No trouble at all,” Birkenstock puffed. “Although I did not like being absent from my granddaughter.”

“I’m sure that being at any distance from Miss Birkenstock is quite unsettling.”

Oscar spoke the truth. The minute Agatha was near, all his troubles vanished. His heart no longer raced, except with anticipation. But there would be very little touching tonight. He had to be on his best behavior or else risk spoiling Lilly’s evening.

A little bell rang out in the hall and they turned for the splendor of the Earl of Daventry’s dining table. The room was perfect, glowing with golden light with fine china and crystal. The servants waited patiently to ensure Lady Daventry’s first dinner was a success, each determined to make the night perfect.

Oscar skirted the table until he found a servant holding his chair. When Agatha moved to sit in the space beside him, he was momentarily startled. By rights, Lady Daventry could place her guests anywhere, of course, but her choice tonight was interesting. He had expected to sit next to Lady Penelope. In fact, he’d dreaded that very event. But Penelope was seated far from him, and when the ladies all sat in unison, he wasn’t disappointed in the least.

But Agatha fidgeted, clearly uncomfortable with her location at his side. A glance across the table showed that more than one eye turned their way, considering the odd seating placement. Lady Daventry met his gaze and winked—actually winked across the long expanse of mahogany. If he didn’t know her heart was firmly captured by her possessive husband, he’d be uncomfortable with the gesture. But knowing Lilly’s nature, he concluded that Daventry had told her of his attachment to Agatha, and she’d taken steps to place them together.

His mother, ever one to deflect attention from any faux pas made by new hostesses, began an animated and very timely conversation with their hosts as a distraction. But her glances in his direction hinted that she was going to question him later. He hadn’t satisfied her curiosity earlier in the day, and he wouldn’t be doing it tonight either.

Once all attention had been diverted by the delivery of the first course and further conversation, Oscar cleared his throat. “I understand you’ve been quite a help to our mutual friend. Daventry tells me you assisted Lilly a great deal with the planning for this evening. Everything looks wonderful.”

“I did assist her with some things, but this, the seating arrangement, was entirely her doing. For all her delicate looks, she is quite the most willful creature.”

He chuckled and signaled for Agatha’s glass to be refilled, as well as his own. “I must remember to thank Lilly properly later. She is a woman determined to secure my heart.”

“Your heart? Is your heart so easily captured then by a saucy wink?”

Oscar pressed his napkin to his lips to hide his smile. “Affection and loyalty seem far too tame when offered such a great service. She has seated me beside my heart’s desire, and a few paltry words cannot properly express my joy. You see, I may talk to you all evening without causing any great scandal simply because I must be attentive. Most hostesses have not been quite so nice to me in the past.”

Agatha’s lips lifted in amusement while she directed her attention to her fish.

Beneath the table, Oscar pressed his leg to hers. “You see now why I must love her as I would perhaps a sibling. But a nice sibling, not like my own sister, Mirelle. She would never be so good to me.”

Agatha turned her head and caught his gaze. Her hand dropped to her lap and then, as she fidgeted with her napkin, her fingers slipped sideways to brush his encroaching thigh. A small tingle of awareness shot to his groin, and then, when she did it again, he had the devil of a time not returning the caress.

Thankfully, the dinner was barely begun. He would have plenty of time to regain control of himself before he was forced to stand as the ladies left the table. “I see the Ettingtons and Hallams are not in attendance.”

Agatha’s hands returned to her utensils. “No. Unfortunately—or fortunately, from their perspective—the ladies are in somewhat delicate conditions, and their husbands prefer them not to travel. Lilly looks forward to seeing them at Christmas.”

Oscar sipped his wine. “As should you.”

Agatha’s gaze shot sideways. “My grandfather has made no decision, as yet, of whether to accept Ettington’s invitation. I hope to go.”

Oscar took a bite of lamb and looked about the table as he chewed. Most couples were either in deep conversation or devouring the earl’s repast with great enthusiasm. No one was paying attention to them. He offered Agatha a quick, reassuring smile. “Depend upon it. You will be at Hazelmere for the house party. We are going.”

Agatha’s eyes widened.

“I’ll call on him tomorrow.” He nodded toward her grandfather. “I promise.”

She quickly returned her attention to her plate, and Oscar relaxed. It would be nice to take Agatha away from London. He didn’t think she’d left since she’d come to stay with her grandfather all those years ago. Wonderful years, where they’d grown to become the best of friends.

They passed the next course in silence, but holding his tongue proved impossible. “I was unable to visit with the children at the orphanage today. How is little Betty coming along?”

“Very well,” Agatha replied, after a footman had taken her plate. “She is full of health and liveliness again. And the other children are the same, as always.”

Oscar laughed. “Full of beans and ready for adventure?”

“The very thing.”

“Most boys are like that, and girls too, at a young age, before they are taught to imitate only their mothers.” A smile flittered across Agatha’s face at his words. “What?”

“The boys were quite curious about you the other day. They peppered me with all manner of questions. You’ve become quite the novelty. But I think boys learn a great deal from their fathers, too, without ever realizing it. It is such a pity they will be forever without one.”

“I won’t always be a novelty for them.” Oscar took a hasty swallow of his claret. “With luck, they will get quite sick of me.”

Agatha grinned. “It won’t happen. It is good that the boys have your influence at this stage of their lives. I have noticed an increased attention to their appearance by the older ones, but I must arrange a tailor for some of them. They have quite outgrown their things. Simon’s arms are very long now.”

“How did Simon come to be in the orphanage?” Oscar adjusted his chair so they were an inch closer together. “There is very little noted about him in the records.”

“We know little more. He was found waiting on the front steps one morning, a sack of clothes at his side and a handful of coins clutched in his fist. There was a note—a piece of much- folded parchment with my grandfather’s name written upon it.”

“Did your grandfather recognize him?”

She shook her head sadly. “Not at all. And since Simon will never speak about the past, we have little else to go on. He’s a good influence on the younger boys though.”

“How so?”

Agatha’s smile returned. “He can read. His penmanship is quite superior to what was first expected. He’s even started helping the little ones learn their letters.”

Now that was surprising. “Well, perhaps his skills will set him up for a career when he grows older. I’ll make sure to speak with him tomorrow.”

Agatha’s smiled dimmed. “That may prove difficult. He’s not fond of gentlemen, by and large, and does his best to remain unseen. It’s quite vexing to be always searching for him.”

“He obviously does not take after Miss Mabel then.” Oscar laughed loudly and all eyes turned toward them again. He forced his attention to the delicacies being placed before him with considerable reluctance. He liked discussing the children’s needs with Agatha. And he was incredibly curious about this Simon boy. Reading and writing so well as to impress at the age of ten was quite an achievement for an orphan. Perhaps his circumstances now were far removed from where they had begun. He’d question the boy carefully so as not to frighten him and then see what might be done for his future.

At the end of the meal, once the ladies had departed for the drawing room, Oscar sprawled untidily in his chair. He had no wish to converse; his thoughts lingered with the orphans, and with steps he must take to make Agatha his wife as soon as possible.

“You’ve got a fine handful there.”

Oscar glanced at Lord Prewitt and frowned. “I beg your pardon?”

“Don’t deny it. You practically made love to her over the table.”

Oscar got to his feet. “Miss Birkenstock and I were speaking of the orphanage, actually. I suggest you keep your base accusations to yourself.”

“Just remember, you’re to marry Lady Penelope this month. She’ll not tolerate you publicly embarrassing her by flirting with your light-skirt before her very eyes again.”

Oscar let the revelation that Prewitt believed he would marry Lady Penelope this month slide. He wouldn’t stand for Prewitt’s slander of Agatha. “Tomorrow my—”

Daventry set his hand to Oscar’s shoulder and nudged him back. The earl smoothly stepped between them. “If there is a disparaging word to be said against my wife’s closest friend, then I shall be the one calling him out. After all, this is my house, and if a guest has imbibed too freely of spirits and ceases to speak as a gentleman should, then I shall be more than happy to take him to task tomorrow morning at dawn if needed.”

Prewitt glanced between them, weighing up Daventry’s threat. Eventually, he offered a lopsided smile. “Perhaps you are right. You do set a fine table, my lord. I should call it a night.”

Daventry’s smile was cold. “Perhaps you should.”

Lord Prewitt collected his father-in-law and, with one last smirk, departed the room.

Daventry pulled Oscar away from his guests. “Have you lost your mind?”

“He insulted Aggie.”

“And now he will be more curious about her place in your affections. You could have handled that better.”

Oscar shrugged. “Hardly matters now.”

“Why? What’s going on?”

Oscar clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Change is good for the soul, they say. I’m sick of playing by society’s rules.”

Daventry set his hands to his hip. “If you’re about to elope, then for God’s sake, keep your voice down.”

Oscar grinned. “Not eloping. Not yet, at any rate.”

“Good.” Daventry raked his fingers through his hair. “Lilly is planning to host your wedding breakfast. Don’t disappoint her.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Did you speak to my mother?”

“Yes, thank you. She was a great comfort.” Daventry stirred restlessly. “We should rejoin the ladies. My wife will be wondering where we’ve gotten ourselves to.”

Daventry moved off with the other men, but Oscar dawdled. He fell into step with Thomas Birkenstock. He gave Oscar an odd look then quickly crossed to his granddaughter’s side, spoiling his chance to flirt with Agatha again that night.