Page 3 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
“There you are, Thornton. You are quite eager today,” Barlow said as he pulled out an armchair.
“I have only just arrived myself,” Alexander replied as Gilbert and Conrad sat.
“Yet, you have made such progress on your claret. How do you fare?” Gilbert asked.
“Have you yet to choose a wife?” Conrad asked with a chuckle until he saw the expression on Alexander’s face and his smile disappeared.
Alexander had already experienced three decades of living and he started to feel the pressure to provide an heir. His family expected it and even the damnedhaut tonwas whispering behind his back. The countess had dropped subtle hints that his duty outweighed all else and he knew that she meant he must marry, and produce children. The countess did not mention anything he did not already know, and it was just that he had not gotten around to giving it his full attention, although he had a young beauty in mind.
“Conrad, it would serve you well to remember that I am a sharp shot. As a matter of fact, a much better one than you,” Alexander said as the others chuckled.
Conrad arched a brow and placed a hand over his heart. “You injure me,” he said while he feigned being mortally wounded. “Do not get short with me Alexander for it is not my fault that you are running out of time. You are getting old and decrepit according to your mother.” Conrad quipped in jest.
Barlow took a sip from his goblet. “The season is about to start, and you can wait until the end of it to make a decision. There is a little time yet.”
Conrad nodded in agreement. “What are your requirements for a wife, Thornton. Have you thought about it?”
“The right pedigree of course,” Barlow replied although the question had not been directed to him.
Gilbert had been quietly observing the exchange but then he cast Alexander a furtive glance before he said teasingly, “Perhaps, wide hips for childbearing?”
Alexander glared. “Do not push your luck, Gilbert.”
They all chuckled and took sips of claret.
Gilbert smirked. “I am pleased I do not fear choosing a bride.”
Barlow sat up and said, unperturbed, “Be quiet, Gilbert. You already have a wife and worse yet, you arein lovewith her.”
One would think that the way Barlow saidin lovemeant it was tantamount to the “living death” While many men tried to avoid love, Alexander had known none to die from an affliction of the heart.
Conrad slapped Gilbert on the back. “You have done well, Gilbert. Even now, you appear quite pleased with yourself.”
Gilbert chuckled. “I am indeed. I cannot complain about married life since I have a loving, caring, and attentive wife.”
“Do not gloat. As they say pride goeth before a fall,” Barlow quipped.
Gilbert smirked. “You are just jealous.”
Alexander gave an exaggerated sigh. “Just so long as you do not start ducking out on us, Gilbert. We will only excuse you if it is for the birth of your child.”
“It is not yet time, but I must say that I am looking forward to fatherhood. I plan to take a more hands-on approach, more so than my father ever did. I do not know for certain, but I suspect I will not send my son to boarding school,” Gilbert said as three pairs of astonished eyes gazed at him.
Boarding schools were a harsh environment more often than not, yet they were a tradition and almost a rite of passage for the aristocracy.
Conrad’s eyes narrowed. “Whatever do you mean, Gilbert?” Conrad raised his hands and pointed to each of them. “We have all been to boarding school.”
“Precisely, and what a disordered bunch we are,” Gilbert said making light of the situation as they laughed, but they all had painful experiences at these establishments.
Alexander noticed the glasses were almost empty so he topped up each glass and took a swig.
“To be frank, did you never wish to be at home rather than at boarding school?” Gilbert asked as he peered at each of them.
Barlow was the first to reply. “I have done. I felt I was too young to be away at Eaton, and I missed my family dreadfully. Nonetheless, I formed a great bond with the other lads at Eaton and it is a pleasure to see them during the season.”
“I was thinking the same, Barlow. You are quite right,” Alexander said.
“I usually am, my man,” Barlow replied with a sly grin. “We had our share of challenges but we survived it.”
