Miles' formal tone set me on edge. He had been my closest friend since the time we first met at Eton and had never been of a serious disposition. His willingness to go along with anything and everything had made us instant friends, much to the exasperation of our teachers. We had had some of the best times together.

"What do we need to talk about, Miles?" I asked warily. He was a good two inches taller than I was, and I knew full well was capable of defeating me if we came to blows. Though I wasn't sure why I expected that to be a possibility. After all, he had only said he wanted to talk. "Why didn't you say you were coming?"

"Phoebe Ramsey."

Shelving my curiosity for the moment, I nodded in understanding. He was no doubt still under the impression it was expected for me to marry her. "Ah, I see. You will be happy to know I spoke to Phoebe earlier today and resolved everything."

"She is a fine girl, and I want your word you will treat her right."

"Now hold on, Miles." I held my hands up in surrender. When had he become so fond of silly Phoebe? "I am not going to marry her!"

My friend's hands balled into fists. "Luke, I will not stand by and watch you ruin her!"

"Miles, you need to take a moment and calm down," I couldn't help but be surprised by his reaction and immediately went on the defensive. "No one's reputation has been ruined. She and I discussed it, like adults, and we both agreed we wouldn't suit. In fact, I had the feeling she was expecting you to be at the pond early this morning, not me."

Breathing out, Miles collapsed onto the bench. "She was waiting for me at the pond?"

"It certainly appeared to be so, and she mentioned you by name. Never say you had a rendezvous planned and then didn't show up! Bad form, Miles. That is the last thing you do to a lady."

"It was wrong of me to plan to meet her, and I realized it this morning." His expression became sheepish. "For all intents and purposes, you were her betrothed. I had no business arranging to meet her privately."

I couldn't resist teasing him. "Still, you didn't keep your word. A lady does not forget a thing like that." A panicked look came to Miles' face, and he sent a glance in the direction of Braglow. "She'll forgive you if you go over there now."

Miles shook his head. "At this hour, she will be out making visits, or at home with other people visiting her. I will have to try tomorrow morning."

"I didn't know you were interested in Phoebe Ramsey," I said, curious to know how the attachment had started. All I could remember was when Miles would visit in the summer, and he would help me plot against Phoebe and her cousins.

He shrugged his shoulder. "She came out this past Season with Philippa, you know. Since you weren't there to make sure no rogue tried to take advantage of two young ladies from the country, I kept an eye on them both. I knew you would have done the same if I'd had a sister coming out."

I couldn't tell him since he didn't have a sister, I would never have even considered the idea. I made a noncommittal sound and returned my gaze to where I could see the horses being exercised. "Thank you for looking out for Philly. I don't suppose you can say anything about this Bartholomew Talbot?"

"Well, he's too serious for my taste, but seemed respectable enough. He was all concern when it came to Philippa. It wasn't a surprise at all when the announcement of their engagement was made."

"You're no more help than Philly." Philippa was my only younger sister, so a little bit of concern about her choice of marriage mate was only natural. 'Serious' and Philippa did not go hand in hand.

Miles stretched his arms and stood up. "I do feel sorry for dropping in on your family without warning. It was shabby of me, but I didn't even stop to think I might not be welcome. I'm surprised Philippa didn't scold me more for not giving enough warning so she could be prepared."

I waved his apology away. "She'll get around to it at some point. It's my sister-in-law you should be concerned with."

"Sister-in-oh, yes," Miles said, realization and something indecipherable crossing his face. "George married this year. Why should I be concerned with the likes of Rosamund Bywood nee Lamotte? She seemed perfectly amiable when we met during the Season."

"Amiable is not a word I would have chosen to describe for her."

Eyeing me for a moment, Miles shook his head. "I'm sure there will be no trouble. I suppose I should get some training in before the competitions at the house party. Are you going to join me, Luke? Or will you concede defeat now?"

"Defeat? When the party hasn't even begun?" Finally something familiar. "You are certain of your sporting ability? I accept the challenge!"

****

In the stables, Miles and I spent over an hour practicing our boxing skills. My friend was in much better practice than I was, as I had spent so much time abroad and practiced hardly at all. The grooms seemed mostly amused by our actions, and every one of them found some excuse to walk past more than once.

Honestly, the exercise felt good, and though I wished I could pour my frustrations into each hit I landed, I didn't want to cause any serious harm to my friend. Even with the marriage situation with Phoebe sorted out, there were still concerns weighing on my mind. Namely, my mother's 'accident' that had ruined her health. How was I going to discover the truth there?

"Luke! What are you doing?"

It was only George's appalled exclamation that made me finally pause and wipe the sweat from my brow. Miles and I had both abandoned our shirts for our training. "What does it look like we're doing, brother of mine?"

"You ought to be getting ready for dinner," George informed me in a sharp tone. I realized then his apparel was formal, which was out of place in the stables. "Our guests will be arriving soon."

Grabbing my shirt, I frowned at him. "Guests? What guests? Why would we have guests when Mama is not feeling well? That seems highly insensitive, George."

"The Ramseys are coming for supper." George's tone was sharp with exasperation "They are the next thing to family. And Mama wouldn't want us all to become recluses. How can you be so oblivious to everything going on around you?"

Now that was an unfair statement. First, Miles doesn't tell me he was coming to the country and intends on staying with my family. Then, my family is having a dinner party, and I am not told until the last minute? I was starting to take it personally, and my patience was at its limits. I breathed out as I pulled my shirt over my head. "If no one tells me anything, how was I to know? I'll be ready on time, George. Have no fear."

Shaking his head and muttering under his breath, George walked away. Miles had a slightly guilty expression on his face as he picked up his jacket. "I'm sorry, Luke. I know you said Mrs. Bywood would be displeased but have I truly come at a bad time? Should I move myself to the Crown in the village?"

"My father and brother are just under a great deal of stress at the moment. And I am, as ever, the great disappointment. So it is as it ever is, Miles. No need for you to spend money on a room at the inn. Philippa would be put out if you made her see to getting a room prepared for you and then decided not to use it. She would track you down and give you an earful."

Tilting his head, Miles frowned at me. "Your family doesn't consider you a disappointment, Luke."

Sending a look of disbelief at him, I started out of the stables. The grooms had disappeared as soon as George had made his presence known and now they were creeping back to work. "They do, Miles, but don't let it bother you. I generally don't. I am simply used to being independent and only relying on myself."

"How soon before you escape back to your foreign lands?"

"I do not, nor have I ever run away, Miles." Though I had in truth been considering escape options open to me. I suppose that explained why George accused me of running from my problems. The only thing keeping me at the Hall was Mama. "While I'm thinking of it, has your father sold Midnight Summer yet?"

He shook his head. "Not that I know of, though I haven't spoken to him in several weeks. Why do you ask? Surely you're not interested in an old mare like Summer!"

"Actually, yes, though not for myself. I think she would be good for my mother. A horse she can spoil and visit when she feels up to it. She may not be able to ride again but why should she not have a horse of her own still?"

"Of course. Now you mention it, I think it would be just the thing. I will write to my father and ask him for more of the details."

Reaching over, I clapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you, Miles. I should have said it earlier, but it is good to see you again. It feels like it's been too long."

He chuckled. "Even though I was prepared to challenge you to a duel if you didn't come up to scratch?"

Astonished, I stared at him for a moment and then laughed. "A duel? You mean a serious meeting at dawn with pistols kind of duel?" Miles's smile had faded, and he didn't show any more amusement. "You're serious. On what grounds?"

"On the grounds that you were behaving like a cad by making Phoebe wait so long. I assumed you might not have realized what you were doing and if I mentioned dueling, you would come to your senses. I didn't think we would duel as I don't fancy being dragged in front of the local magistrate."

I stepped aside to allow him to enter ahead of me. "Yes, I agree, and that's why I am amazed you would even propose the idea in the first place. You think so little of me you decide the threat of a duel would be the best way to get me to propose?"

"I told you it was only if you didn't come up to scratch in a reasonable amount of time," Miles said over his shoulder. "I don't suppose you know where Philippa will have put me, do you?"

Butler was hurrying towards us, and I gratefully gave Miles over to his excellent care. Choosing to use the servants' stairs, I hurried up to my room out of sight of anyone. This trip home had been full of surprises, and I wasn't particularly enjoying it.

"Nothing will surprise me now," I muttered.

Knowing I was bound to be the last one to go down for dinner, I took my time in getting dressed. Hot water had been brought up at some point, but it had already started cooling, which felt good against my heated skin. I cleaned myself up and dressed in a more formal manner than I would otherwise have done.

When I walked down to the drawing room, I could hear the loud chattering of our guests. Feeling tense, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I pushed open the door and slipped in as quiet as I could. Keeping close to the wall, I studied the group that had gathered while I was upstairs.

Mr. And Mrs. Ramsey were seated together, talking with my father and George. An unfamiliar older lady was sitting in a chair by the fireplace, listening to the conversation. Rosamund and Philippa had Miss Darkin with them. I was not surprised to see Miles and Phoebe together at the window, their words too quiet to be overheard.

"Luke!" Mr. Ramsey spotted me first. He seemed delighted to see me, making me wonder if Phoebe had explained I was not going to be marrying his daughter. "It's about time you returned to us, though I daresay your travels have done you no harm for here you are looking well indeed!"

"Isn't it strange how people, in general, are surprised when someone returns from a journey looking well?" I said as I moved further into the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched George's face turn red with barely controlled anger. "I cannot think of anyone who comes to harm traveling."

An amazed expression crossed Mr. Ramsey's face. "Too true, my dear boy, too true."

"Mrs. Darkin, this is Lucas Bywood, the youngest son," Mrs. Ramsey said, leaning closer to the lady I did not recognize. I offered my smoothest bow. "Luke, this is Mrs. Darkin. She and her niece are here for our house party."

Mrs. Darkin nodded, her smile polite. "My niece mentioned she had met you this morning, Mr. Bywood."

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Darkin. I hope you had a pleasant journey here."

Father, however, was just as displeased by my remarks on travel as my brother had been. "There is always the threat of highwaymen to consider, Lucas," he said, interrupting me from exchanging any more pleasantries with Mrs. Darkin. "One never knows when one's carriage may be stopped by ruffians."

"To be sure, Father" Although I thought I maintained an amiable tone, my father's eyes narrowed. "But such an occurrence, as rare as it generally is accepted to be, is easily dealt with if it happens, you know. Simply cooperate with said ruffians, and no one will be hurt."

"How ungallant you are, Lucas," Rosamund said, her tone chiding as she stepped up beside George. She looped her arm around her husband's in a proprietary way. "Surely, you would defend yourself and your wife better than that."

Even the sound of her voice made my back stiffen now. "Ah, but I am not married at the moment, dear sister." Her lips thinned into a straight line, and I was delighted to have annoyed her. "And even if I did happen to be traveling with a wife, resisting a highwayman who would surely have a gun pointed at me or someone with me would only result in someone being seriously hurt."

"You are wise for your age, Luke," Mrs. Ramsey said to me. "I believe you would always do what was best for yourself and for any young lady fortunate enough to be your wife."

She sent a pointed look to where Phoebe was laughing at something Miles had said. Father gave a nod, though his expression was one of annoyance. "I would not say a lady would be fortunate to be attached to me," I said thoughtfully. "Unless she enjoys traveling and seeing the world. Then, I would believe us both fortunate to have found each other."

Alarm filled Mrs. Ramsey's eyes as her husband answered, 'Surely, you don't intend on returning to those foreign lands! What can you possibly find there that you cannot find here, besides a great deal of trouble?"

"That is exactly my plan, sir! My journey was cut short, you understand. After all, the war with Napoleon is at an end. I daresay it would be no dangerous than it is to travel through England. There is plenty to discover in the world, and I look forward to seeing more of it in the future. Egypt has always fascinated me."

"Lucas jests, of course," Father was quick to assure them.

"Indeed, I do not jest, Father." I glanced around and realized I had become the center of attention. "As I said, there is much to see outside of our country. I'm not surprised that taking a Grand Tour is recommended for all young men of my age. It broadens one's horizons."

My father's face had become a peculiar shade of red. I counted it as fortunate that dinner was announced a moment later. "We are an unbalanced group tonight but what does that matter among friends?" Father said as he held his arm out to Mrs. Darkin. "Lucas, escort Phoebe."

I bit the side of my cheek. The last thing I required was a reminder on how to conduct myself as though I were a boy! Casting a distressed look at Miles, Phoebe accepted my arm and Miles fell into step behind us with Miss Darkin.

Why had no one mentioned this dinner all day since it had obviously been planned? My seat was between Phoebe and Mrs. Darkin with Miss Darkin across from me. Not necessarily where I wished to be, but I determined I could make it work.

"Before we begin, shall we start off with a toast," Father said, raising his voice to be heard by all at the table. He raised his glass, and everyone else followed suit. "To the future. May our families one day be connected."