Elfers, his valet, had traveled with him all these years and had been busy with necessary arrangements—those things at which Joshua floundered. Elfers was a man who could get things done. Joshua appreciated him now more than ever.
Perhaps he should feel guilty he’d waited several days before seeing his family. The stabbing pain that greeted him as he leaned to kiss his mother was a reminder that he’d done the right thing, allowing for more recuperation time after the strain of Paris and the travel home.
“Are you sure you want to know? My injury involved a certain unsavory quality I would prefer not to discuss with my mother.”
“I would remind you of my age and the fact I raised five sons. I notice there is still a slight limp.”
“It is nothing. A scratch.”
“Who am I but your mother? I still worry. Since it seems to have involved a woman, I hope you weren’t trying to rescue another damsel.”
“Another?”
“Oh my, must I name them all?”
“And I worry about your memory,” he said.
She laughed at him. “My selfless knight. I might not think it wise, but I am proud of you. I am only frustrated you cannot find women to save here in England.”
“I hope you didn’t take out your frustration on Adam,” he said.
“He has the good sense to put his family first.”
“He’s the duke. It is expected that he be responsible in all things. Let me say thank you again for birthing me third.”
“Hmpf. He’s as much a scoundrel as any of you. What you should be apologizing for is missing Adam’s wedding. And yes, I’m sure we are all happy you are not likely to be a duke of Sterling.”
There were now four heirs between him and a lifetime of servitude to the dukedom. He was ecstatic about that small gift.
Mother patted a place beside her on the couch. “Sit with me.” As he settled, the servants came in with a silver tea tray and two heaping platters of fruits, cheeses and biscotti which they settled on small tables in front of them.
The tea was brewed perfectly, the cheese cut into symmetrical pieces and the hot house fruit and vegetables were cored and carved into flowers and birds and even little fishes. He gulped down a cucumber bass.
“Did you hire a new cook?”
“Oh, no. While Fontaine might think he is aging gracefully, he is getting old, so he has brought his nephew from Marseille to apprentice. Clever little wonder, is he not?”
“I’ll say.”
“Well, if you ask me he is only trying to impress the new duchess. They were in London for the first week of the season. Adam couldn’t help but display his new wife, and the kitchen help outdid themselves trying to curry her favor.”
“And how are the newlyweds? Honestly, I am shocked beyond measure.”
“It is so like you to miss the obvious. You did not know Eloisa was his mistress?”
Joshua choked on his tea, reached for a linen napkin and dabbed at his chin. “His what? He married his mistress? Adam never said a thing to me.”
“How often have you been home in the past four years? Perhaps he was silent to protect Eloisa’s good name.”
“He would have said something. And what about Nell? I would have bet the Sterling fortune he would remain faithful to Nell until the end.”
“Tosh. He was always faithful to Nell while she lived.”
“But he loved her.”
“Love has nothing to do with ton marriages. If I have not instilled that in you, I have failed as a mother. Besides it is not my story to tell. It is Adam’s.”
“Did you love Father?”
“Oh, heavens! What a question.” She pursed her lips and looked down her aristocratic nose.
“Then I’m confused. Did Adam love Nell or not? Adam’s marriage to her is why your other sons aren’t married. We couldn’t live up to such high expectations.”
“Faraddidle! The truth is he is married to a worthy woman and I have never seen him happier.”
“Certainly I must meet this paragon. Does she have a sister?” Why was it Adam was so fortunate to have two women to love? He envied Adam that. And his sister, Candace, who seemed content in her marriage also.
“She is quite alone, aside from Lady Carvelle. She’s Eloisa’s aunt, you know. But that does make me wonder when you might settle. It is time you took a wife, Joshua.”
Sometimes it seemed he should give in to the inevitable—take a wife, fill the nursery and settle into a bucolic life somewhere near Long Leaf. He’d want his children to grow up as he had but with the caveat they would travel the world as a family once they were old enough.
Hmm, he hadn’t considered that his wife must be a traveler, or at least interested in it. Could he countenance more travel, knowing she was ensconced, alone, on a country estate?
“There is no hurry. And since you seem to know all the ton gossip, whose family might be in need of a fortune?” He was thinking of the nymph in DuChamp’s studio. An impoverished family was the only thing that made sense.
“What sort of rumormonger do you think I am? I would never discuss a family’s finances.”