Chapter Twenty-One
December 2nd, 1808
Whiteoaks, Wiltshire
Lucas counted the days until he could leave. Three weeks until Robert’s birthday. Two weeks. Ten days.
When he had one week left, he came down to the salon, dressed for dinner, and found only Robert there. “Almeria and the girls are dining over at the Thorpes’, so it’s just you and me tonight.” Robert clapped him cheerfully on the shoulder. “Come and have a drink in my study. I told them to put dinner back an hour.”
Lucas followed his brother into the candlelit study. A fire burned in the grate, flanked by leather armchairs.
“Brandy?”
Lucas nodded.
Robert poured him a generous glass. “Sit, sit.”
Lucas sat.
He sipped in silence while Robert talked about the hunter he’d just bought—strong hocks, good movement—the new phaeto
