Page 56 of Forget Me Not

“Why not ask Aldric?” Digby asked solemnly. “He might manage to borrow an estate with enough warning.”

“Best get that jesting out of your system before you see him, Your Majesty,” Kes said. “Being an estate-less younger son is a sore topic for the General.”

Lucas pointed to Kes but spoke to Digby. “Quite the rain cloud, isn’t he? Can’t you ‘off with his head’ or something?”

The King sniffed and pursed his lips. “I am soon to make the acquaintance of an impressively strong-willed and, I hope, very witty lady. I wish to be in fine form when I do, and executions are unbearably tiring.”

“The two of you together are unbearably tiring,” Kes muttered in true Grumpy Uncle fashion.

“Does this mean you won’t be joining us on our Gents journey to Portugal?” Lucas asked.

“And give you two the satisfaction?” Kes shook his head.

They passed through the front door of Brier Hill. The footman spied them, his eyes settling on Digby, in particular. He dropped a bow so deep even King George would have approved.

“Very good, my man.” Digby motioned him up.

“I see you’ve been here already this morning,” Kes said. “And made the expected impression.”

Digby shrugged regally. “How do you suppose I knew where to find you two?”

Lucas had wondered about that. “Mrs. Parks betrayed us, didn’t she?”

“She likes me.” Digby handed his coat to the footman with a flourish. “Now, where is the new Lady Jonquil?”

“That, I don’t know.”

“Begging your pardon, Your Majesty.” The footman dipped another bow. “Lady Jonquil is in the front sitting room.”

Digby gave a single quick nod. “Very good, man.” He looked to Lucas. “Shall we toss you in with your lady love?”

“I thought you said executions were exhausting.”

He waved that off. “This one, I will enjoy.”

Lucas dipped a dramatic bow, bending over one leg. “What does a jester live for but to entertain his king?”

“Onward!” Digby declared.

A surge of nervousness slowed Lucas’s steps as he approached the sitting room. He did not, however, seize the coward’s escape. He ushered his friends inside.

Julia stood across the room, gazing out the window. She turned as they approached, and her eyes found him first.

“Good morning, Lucas.” Such awkwardness. He hadn’t, then, imagined her discomfort when he’d attempted to be charming and flirtatious.

“We have another guest,” he said. “An old friend of mine.”

“Bah,” Digby said. “There is nothing old about me.” He pushed past Lucas and crossed directly to Julia.

Her lips parted in an involuntaryO. Digby bowed over her hand. Julia blushed more deeply than Lucas had ever seen.

“I forget sometimes how blasted handsome he is,” Kes said. “It’s rather nauseating.”

Nauseatingwasn’t precisely the word that came to Lucas’s mind. Seeing the spell Digby so quickly cast over Julia, the apropos descriptor was something far closer toexasperating.

Kes elbowed Lucas, then nodded subtly toward Julia. What was he trying to communicate? Yes, they’d found Julia. Yes, Digby was being a bit too... Digby. Yes, Julia was still less than enthusiastic about Lucas’s company.

The King treated them all to a dazzling smile. “Since the necessary introductions do not seem to be forthcoming, I will move forward with the assumption that this stunning lady is the new Lady Jonquil and will casually mention that I am Mr. Digby Layton of Yorkshire, a longtime friend of these socially inept gentlemen.”

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