Page 33 of Sir Hugo Seeks a Wife
Without invitation, Ivor lifted a stack of books from the chair opposite him and balanced them precariously on the edge of the desk.“Why?”
Hugo bit back the urge to say, “None of your damned business.”Ivor’s visit was irritating.But then everything in the whole damned universe irritated him.And his old schoolfriend didn’t deserve to bear the brunt of his vile temper.“London’s not for me.”
“Don’t tell me you’re sulking because Lady Petronella settled on Lord Bannerman.”Ivor sank into the chair.“I told you from the first she was never going to throw herself away on a mere baronet.”
It took Hugo a second to bring to mind just who Lady Petronella was.“I couldn’t give a rat’s arse if some nitwitted filly decides to wed.”
Ivor frowned.“That’s good.Hate to think of you nursing a broken heart.”
“My heart is fine.”Hugo’s fists closed on the leather blotter, as he contemplated punching one of his oldest friends square on the aristocratic nose.“Now I’m very busy.You should go.”
Ivor didn’t budge.Instead concern shadowed his good-natured features as he inspected Hugo.“You look like you lost a guinea and found sixpence.”
Hugo ground his teeth.He’d been doing that a lot lately.Too much, if the ache in his jaw was any indication.“I told you – London doesn’t suit me.”
“Surprised to hear that.You seemed happy as a pig in mud when you first arrived.”
“That was a long time ago.”That carefree man seemed like a stranger.
“Only a couple of weeks.Are you sure you’re not eating your heart out over Lady Petronella?She’s a dashed comely chit.”
“She’s pretty enough, but I was never interested in the girl.She has no more sense than God gave a grasshopper.”
Ivor frowned.“Never thought grasshoppers were that thick.Always seem to know just what plant to eat.You need a working brainbox for that.I don’t know one bush from another.I’m lucky the ladies like roses.I’d have a hard time naming any other dashed flower.”
Hugo had spent the last fortnight languishing in a wilderness of regret and misery and frustration.Nothing had penetrated the fog of despair that gripped him.But Ivor’s conversation managed to pierce his self-involvement.Open-mouthed, he stared at his friend, as he struggled to work out why they were suddenly talking about insects.“I don’t give a fuck about grasshoppers.”
“You said—”
Hugo slammed his hand down hard on the desk.“I said I didn’t want to marry Petronella Fitchett.I also said that I’d like you to go.”
Ivor ignored the second part of that, as Hugo knew he would.He sometimes wondered whether Ivor was quite the nodcock that he presented to the world.The fellow was a dab hand at doing just what he wanted without too many unpleasant consequences.“Well, that’s good.She’s marrying Bannerman in a month.”
“So you said.”
“Means you can start courting some other lady.That’s what you came to Town to do, after all.”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“Going to look closer to home?Not a bad idea.Big fish in a small pond and all that.Mind you, fish are smart coves, too.There’s a pike in the lake at home that’s been laughing at me since I was in short pants.I think he enjoys the game as much as I do.”
Hug bit back the urge to curse the pike as well.“I’m not getting married.”
And the sheer bloody bleakness of that statement made him want to howl like a lone wolf.
Ivor’s frown intensified.“But you have to, old man.Noblesse oblige and all that.All those sheep to pass on to the next generation.”
Before Ivor could speculate on a sheep’s intelligence, Hugo spoke.“Bugger the next generation.”
Ivor continued to study him.“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re acting like a chap who’s been disappointed in love.”
“I told you that bloody Petronella—”
“Isn’t for you.But I don’t need a grasshopper’s brains to see that something’s happened.Who’s the girl?”
“You don’t know her,” Hugo said, which wasn’t true and probably also wasn’t the wisest answer, given he didn’t want Ivor interrogating him about his failed romance.
“I’m sure I do.I know everyone in the ton, old chum.I’m a hostess’s favorite animal.A single man who’s happy to dance with the plain daughters and the shy nieces.Nobody’s afraid of me.I’m too dense to be superior and too kindhearted to be a danger.”
