“Visit a brothel, then. Find a one-off. Or a steady convenient, if you like.”
“No and no.” James shook his head rapidly.
“A right pickle you’re in. I’d say you’re ripe for a woman by the look of it. But you’ve decided only one particular woman will do.”
“I’ve decided nothing!” James all but yelled. He took in a breath before continuing. “You think I wishedthis? To desire the attention of someone who sent me away? I might as well have wished a malady upon my mind. Even knowing that I can’t have her, my thoughts return to her without cessation.”
Chavers’ low chuckle gathered force until he slapped his own knee as if delighted.
James’s anger simmered higher. “Taking pleasure in my suffering, are you?”
He shook his head. “I told you a long time ago, this would happen. All these years of fathers offering up their daughters. Women offering themselves. You’ve helped yourself before, I know, but when has anyone distracted you from your affairs? Addled you such that you’d rather think of her than unwashed wool?”
James pressed the heels of his hands into his eyes. “You sound so pleased. Enjoy the spectacle. I’m so addled that I’m thinking of a woman instead of unwashed wool, aye.”
“Nothing you do is easy, Robertson. If you wanted the simple, the certain, you’d be married to a lass like Mr. Watson’s daughter. Or you’d keep a mistress nearby, someone who takes your mind off unwashed wool for a spell but not too long.”
“Even if she’d said yes, she’s noteasy,” James admitted, thoughts drifting to Clara again. “Trouble at the outset, that one.” He caught Chavers regarding him with a satisfied smile. “Like hiringyouwas trouble. Overly free with counsel to the point of impertinence, you are.”
“Sir, you don’t seek the easy.”
“Neither do you.” He sighed. “Apologies for today. I didn’t mean to yell.”
Chavers dipped his head graciously.
James walked laps around his desk, forcing his mind to wool. He sent his right fist flying into his left palm, repeating the movement until the pummeled hand went from throbbing to numb.
“Your servants are undoubtedly betting right now on whether I’ll exit your study alive or they’ll be cleaning up a puddle,” Chavers said calmly when the slapping noises stopped.
“Tell the lads we’re selling half the wool. Make arrangements for the rest to be washed and sent for processing.”
“It will be done.” He stood. “And your other problem?”
Grim-faced, James looked down at his hands. With a shrug, he lifted his right fist. “Reckon I’ll be needing this for a bloody while.”