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if he truly wished to leave the room.
    ‘We agreed that you would come and live here and I would explain to you about your brother. I have stuck to my side of the bargain. Now you need to keep to yours.’
    Avery gave a curt nod in agreement. He had to give Lord Langham his dues; he had read Avery perfectly well. To others the exchange would signify little, but to Avery it was crucial. He now had in his possession the information he so desperately needed. Added to that was the fact that both senior males of the household had asked him to stay.
    He considered his mission a success.
    Thank God he didn’t call my bluff. Lord knows where I would be sleeping tonight.
    ‘One more thing,’ he said.
    ‘Yes?’
    ‘Books. I want to be allowed to borrow books from your library and read them in my room.’
    Lord Langham chuckled, relief evident on his face. ‘My dear boy, I will buy you the contents of Hatchards bookshop if you so wish it. Now, if you are done with your list of demands, can we please go and have some breakfast? I am positively famished.’
    Avery followed David into the breakfast room. Lord Langham stopped and handed them both a plate.
    ‘Eat up, my lads; we have a full day ahead of us,’ he said.
    While the earl had an impassive look on his face, the light in his eyes betrayed him. He was delighted to have such a group seated at his breakfast table. He hastened to the other side of the table and brushed a kiss on his daughter’s cheek. Avery politely turned away and began to fill his breakfast plate from the buffet. As he turned back he caught sight of Lord Langham hurriedly whispering in Lady Alice’s ear.
    All manner of breakfast delights were laid before him. The aroma of the cornucopia filled his nose. A whole baked salmon surrounded by roasted potatoes and onions caught his eye. Another serving dish held mushrooms, bacon and freshly fried eggs, his favourite breakfast food. It was difficult to choose what to leave off his plate, so in the end he took a little of everything.
    With his plate piled high Avery took a seat at the table. Across from him Lady Clarice was pushing a piece of dry toast around her plate. She gave him a small wave of her fingers as David took the seat next to her.
    ‘My sweet, go back to bed; you know mornings are the worst,’ David said.
    ‘Soon,’ she replied.
    Lord Langham cleared his throat and the breakfast table fell silent.
    ‘Before you do, my dear, I would like to say a few words of welcome to our newest family member. Avery, the road which has led you to our door has been a long and interesting one. I sincerely hope that from this day forward you know that this is your home. That you are a part of our family. Welcome.’
    ‘Hear, hear,’ David said. He raised a coffee cup in salute.
    Lady Clarice managed a weak smile. Lady Alice clicked her tongue. All of them in their own way welcomed him to their family.
    ‘Thank you,’ Avery replied, as a lump formed in his throat.

CHAPTER FOUR
    ‘Nice jacket, not too sure about the waistcoat. I think it’s a tad colourful,’ Lady Alice remarked.
    Avery grinned as he took a seat at the breakfast table on the following Saturday morning. His waistcoat was a solid dark blue in colour, with the most sedate leather buttons the tailor could find. He looked down at his new ensemble, pleased with his smart clothes. It had taken over an hour for him to dress this morning. The choices presented by his extensive new wardrobe had nearly defeated him.
    He knew he should be ashamed of the fact that he had tried on every piece of clothing in the privacy of his room, but he couldn’t help himself. Excitement bubbled in his stomach. Avery, who had never owned more than one jacket at any point in his entire life, now owned nine of them. They would make a dandy out of him yet.
    ‘Will you be venturing out today?’ Lady Alice asked.
    He nodded. Lord Langham had kept his word and set up an account at Hatchards bookshop for him. He couldn’t