Page 37 of Mr Winterbourne's Christmas

Aware that he was staring at the ladies, Adam abruptly turned his gaze back to Mrs. Winterbourne, and Lysander. Mrs. Winterbourne was patting Lysander’s hand now and smiling up at him.

“Now, my dear, I don’t want you to feel left out, but I must tell you that I’ve decided to leave the bulk of my fortune to those gals. They need it more, you see. You have your profession, and your young man.” She turned to smile beatifically at Adam, who went scarlet at the realisation that the old lady seemed to know about them too. Turning back to Lysander, she continued, “Your dear sister does not have the same luxury. And it is not as though I have a very large fortune to leave. Though it is a tidy sum and quite enough for two gals to live comfortably upon when I am gone.”

“I understand perfectly,” Lysander said kindly, smiling at her.

“I knew you would,” Mrs. Winterbourne said approvingly. Then she winked and added, “And you needn’t worry about me blabbing to anyone else about your young man. It amuses me to say shocking things—it’s one of the few benefits of being as old as I am—but I’m really very discreet about the things that matter. Speaking of which, look out—your mother and father are coming this way.”

When the earl and Lady Winterbourne reached them, Lady Winterbourne said “Lysander, your father needs to speak with you and Mr. Freeman. And besides, you’ve been monopolising your aunt for quite long enough.” She smiled at Mrs. Winterbourne merrily, saying, “My turn for a coze with you.”

The old lady beamed at that, then elbowed Lysander, saying cheerfully, “I’ll have to ask you to shoo, dear. Mimi needs to sit here, and besides, your father wants you.”

Judging by the earl’s resigned expression, that wasn’t strictly true, but he’d been given his orders by his wife, it seemed, and was going to see them out.

“Shall we talk in my study?” the earl suggested.

Lysander glanced at Adam, a question in his blue gaze. It was the smallest thing, but Adam was touched that Lysander’s first instinct was to check that the earl’s proposal was all right with Adam. That Adam’s comfort was important to him.

He cleared his throat. “By all means.”

They rose from their chairs then, bidding Mrs. Winterbourne good evening, and followed the earl out of the drawing room.

Chapter 14 - Lysander

Lysander watched hisfather pour three glasses of brandy. The earl’s hand shook as he undertook the simple task, then he downed his own glass in one swallow before reaching for the decanter and pouring himself another.

“So, Father,” Lysander prompted. “You wanted to talk with us?”

“Yes, yes of course,” the earl said, as though only just remembering they were there. He ran a hand over his face, then said, wearily, “Sorry, m’boy. Tonight’s been rather a shock. I was expecting—” He broke off. Sighed heavily and threw back the second brandy.

“You were expecting Sir Edmund to offer for Gwen?” Lysander supplied.

“Hewasgoing to offer for her,” the earl said bitterly. “We’d come to terms. He was going to ask her tomorrow—till that flighty little Cavendish slut threw herself at him. Christ!”

“Father,” Lysander said, a note of warning in his voice. “Please do not speak of Lady Arabella in such terms.”

“Oh, for God’s sake!” the earl cried. “He had her tied up over a rocking horse and was spanking her bare arse. She’s a little—”