Merely the Groom (Free Fellows League 2)

“You enjoy mathematics?”

“I love it,” she told him. “I love puzzles and ciphers, and

I’m something of a prodigy when it comes to cards and accounts and balances.” She used the same turn of phrase he’d used earlier. “Unfortunately, playing cards and the pianoforte and balancing household accounts are a young lady’s only true opportunity to use her higher mathematics.”

“Except for designing and building toy boats...” he reminded her.

“Yes,” she said. “Except for that. You should see my collection. I know every ship in Papa’s fleet, along with their trade routes, cargo, and usual ports of call. At one time, I knew all the captains and first mates, but the fleet has grown since I roamed the docks and now I only know their names. I have models of all of them from the first one to the latest one. There are twenty-four of them, and they’re all ladies or princesses.” Gillian smiled, remembering. “We take turns naming them. Papa and Mama name the ladies, and I name the princesses. There are twelve of each.” She glanced over her shoulder at Colin as he pulled out her chair and seated her at the dining table. “I apologize for babbling, but I haven’t—”

“Had the opportunity to sail boats on a fish pond in years,” he guessed.

“You did say Shepherdston Hall has a pond perfect for it,” she reminded him, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Yes, I did,” Colin agreed.

“And you did say that our honeymoon could turn de

adly dull if we continued in the same vein for the remainder of it,” Gillian continued.

The footman pouring the wine into their glasses coughed to keep from snickering.

Colin glared at him, then turned to Gillian and acknowledged her comment with a nod of his head.

“And you were looking for something else to do.”

“Aye.”

“And since I don’t ride and you don’t walk, sailing boats on the pond would be a perfectly wonderful way to spend the day tomorrow.”

The look of disappointment on his face was priceless. Gillian had to work to keep from smiling.

“Is that what you want to do tomorrow?” Colin asked.

Gillian couldn’t risk talking for fear of giggling. She bit her bottom lip, stared at her plate, and answered with a nod.

Colin lifted his hand and signaled Pomfrey, who stood at the far corner of the dining room, supervising the service of the meal.

“Sir?” Pomfrey appeared at Colin’s side almost instantly. “Is something amiss with your dinner?”

“No, Pomfrey, the meal and the service are excellent.” Colin paused for a moment. “Lady Grantham and I were discussing our schedule for tomorrow, and we were wondering if there are any toy boats on the premises?”

“Boats, sir?” Pomfrey was confused.

“Yes, Pomfrey, sailing boats.” Colin was beginning to lose a bit of his usual good humor. “The kind Lord Shepherdston sailed on the pond in the garden when he was in still in short breeches.”

“I vaguely remember Lord Shepherdston having toy sailboats,” Pomfrey told him. “But I never remember him sailing them on the pond.” He looked at Colin. “There was never anyone with whom he could sail them.” He thought for a moment. “If the boats are still here, they would be in the nursery or the schoolroom or perhaps the attics. I’ll go up there myself* after dinner, and check.”

“Thank you, Pomfrey,” Colin replied. “Lady Grantham and I are most appreciative.”

“What shall I do with them if I discover their whereabouts, sir?” the butler asked.

Colin looked to Gillian for the answer.

“Please have someone bring them up to the Ivory Suite,” Gillian instructed. “And leave them outside the outer door in the corridor.” She met Colin’s questioning gaze and smiled her most brilliant smile. “And Pomfrey, there’s no need for you to hunt them tonight. Tomorrow will be quite soon enough, for Lord Grantham and I will be otherwise engaged until afternoon.”

Chapter Twenty-five

“I am not in the roll of common men.”