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But he would tolerate it. “Today I’m being civil and cordial and as unobtrusive as possible.”
    “I’ll have Warner find a mount for you,” Lord Quence said in the same even tone he’d used before.
    “Thank you.”
    “Good morning, my two handsome brothers.” Elizabeth swept into the room, her smile bright enough to challenge the sun. She kissed William on the cheek, then danced forward to do the same to Phineas.
    “Good morning.” He returned the kiss, noting that her smile was a touch too bright, and her voice a shade too determined. If she wanted a morning of harmony, then he would attempt to do his part. “You look very fetching, if I may say so.”
    She fluffed a rose-colored sleeve. “Yes, you may. I’m going out to the garden to pick some flowers, and then Richard is going to be by to take me driving.”
    Phineas set down his plate and took a seat at William’s left elbow. “Mm-hm. Are we delighted that Richard is calling, or should I be armed?”
    Beth chuckled. “ I am delighted. William hasn’t yet threatened anyone, and you may do as you please.” She sent him a mock scowl. “Within reason, of course. No shooting or stabbing him.”
    “You have my word, subject to future observation.”
    “Very well.”
    “Phin is going in to Lewes this morning,” William commented.
    Beth frowned, but wiped the expression away so quickly that Phineas wasn’t certain if he’d imagined it. “Are you?”
    “Unless you have another suggestion for me.” One he would welcome, and wasn’t likely to receive. She’d apparently given her own word, and to William.
    “No, of course not. You’re home. You should become familiar again with your surroundings.”
    “Any particular surroundings?”
    Beth forced another chuckle. “Of course not. For heaven’s sake.”
    Very well. He wouldn’t force her into anything, and certainly not in William’s presence. “Is there any good gossip to be had, then?”
    Her expression relaxed again. “Oh, I know cartloads of gossip.” She sat forward. “They say, for instance, that Lord Roesglen has been taking to the roads at night to retrieve and return his new mistress to her home. No one’s yet discovered who she might be.”
    Phineas chuckled. “For a moment I thought you were going to say that Roesglen was roving the night as a highwayman. I wouldn’t have minded seeing that, considering that the last time I set eyes on him he weighed over twenty stone.”
    “I don’t think he can even ride a horse any longer.” With a laugh, Beth dumped three lumps of sugar into her tea. “That would definitely be a sight. Do you remember the stories Papa used to tell us about The Gentleman?” She sighed. “We haven’t had a decent highwayman in thirty years.”
    “And thank God for that,” William put in. “We don’t need any more trouble.”
    “ More trouble?” Phineas pounced on the word. Perhaps he couldn’t interrogate Beth, but if William volunteered anything, that would certainly save him a great deal of effort.
    A muscle in the viscount’s cheek jumped. “Go for your ride, Phin. Lewes has become a great deal more sophisticated. I’m certain you’ll find enough opera singers and actresses to satisfy even you.”
    His face heating, Phineas pushed to his feet. So this was the game they would be playing. “I didn’t come here to find someone to share my bed,” he grunted.
    “The inns and taverns open early as well, then. Andrews?”
    “Yes, my lord.”
    The wheeled chair backed away from the table and then rolled out of the room. Phineas sat down again, trying to rein in his growing frustration.
    “Phin, he—”
    He shook his head at his sister. “Don’t make excuses for either of us,” he said. “Are you going to tell me why you sent me that letter, or am I on my own?”
    To his surprise, her hazel eyes filled with tears. Beth shook her head. “All I can do,” she whispered, “is ask you not to let him drive you away.”
    “Beth?”