“Why are you pacing out here?” Matthew asked coming into the hall from the drawing room.

Hugh spent most of the late afternoon and evening in the library looking over some correspondence but found that he could not concentrate. After an interminable dinner with his parents and siblings, he was restless, cursing himself for giving up the small house to move back to his family’s residence.

Hugh knew why he was agitated but he did not want to share that with Matthew. “I suppose that I have been living alone for too long and I am not used to having so many people moving about the house at all hours.”

Matthew raised an eyebrow and smirked. Clearly, he did not believe Hugh’s excuse but to his credit said nothing about it. “I was thinking about going to White’s tonight. You should come with me.”

Being in the crowded gambling club did not exactly sound much better but staying home did not appeal to him either. “Perhaps a drink will assist in altering my mood.”

“Hear, hear!”

Less than an hour later, they were seated at a table that Matthew had managed to procure in a quieter corner. The tables around them were filled with gentlemen playing cards and enjoying some spirited conversation.

Matthew handed him a glass of whiskey. “Drink up and then you can tell me what is bothering you.”

“What makes you think there is something to tell?” Hugh asked lightly.

“You have been in a sour mood since we got home from riding in Hyde Park.”

“Nonsense.”

“Oh really? You snapped at Henrietta when she asked you about attending Almack’s this week,” Matthew reminded him.

Hugh vaguely recalled speaking to her and seeing her hurt expression when she left the library. He took a long drink and then looked up at Matthew. “I thought I had hidden my feelings.”

“I am sure if you had stayed at your house you would have succeeded but there are far too many of us at Repington House.” Matthew glanced at the tables around them. “Have you made a decision regarding the position with Fairburn?”

“No, I have not,” Hugh said and then looked up at him suddenly. “How did you know about that?”

“Father.” Matthew held up his hands when Hugh scowled. “He made mention earlier this week that you had met with Fairburn.”

“I am sure that he did. I would most likely have made my decision now if it were not for Father’s interference.”

“Has he caused you difficulties?”

“Not directly, no.”

“I do not understand.” Matthew frowned. “Father seemed to think he was assisting you. He said his only interest is for you to get a good start.”

Hugh sighed in exasperation. “I did not require his assistance. I have little desire to start my profession as a barrister knowing I got the position as a result of my father’s interference.”

“I do not believe that is the case. You should discuss the matter with Father before you make such assumptions.”

“Speaking with Father has been exactly what I have been avoiding since I was chosen to be a barrister. You well know the problems he created for Philip and James,” Hugh told him. “Although, at this point, Father’s interference is the least of my concerns. It was made clear to me at the Eastbridge house party that it would behoove me to find a wife. I have been endeavoring to do just that but now I realize that there is much more to think about. If I took a position with Parliament then I would be living in London for most of the year.”

“Yes of course.”

“If I were to present cases to the bar then I would mostly likely need to find a residence outside of London.” Hugh looked at Matthew.

“You think this might be a concern in regard to choosing a wife?”

“When I began to seek a wife, I was looking for someone that would like to live in London and host parties.”

“Whichever lady you choose will have no choice but to live wherever you live,” Matthew pointed out.

“Of that, I have no doubt.” He was frustrated that Matthew was not understanding, although Hugh knew it was not his fault. “Yet I would want my wife to be contented at home.”

Matthew took a moment before replying. “I thought you were simply looking for a suitable match.”

“It will do me no good to have a wife who is miserable every day. It would be ideal to find a wife who would enjoy living in both London and the country.” He recognized the words as the same ones Lady Julianna had spoken in Hyde Park. Their private moment in the stable came back to him and he tried to expel it from his memory, continuing to dwell on it would only lead to madness.

"This all makes me wonder if I should be asking about your courtship with Lady Priscilla."

"And I have not formally pressed my suit but as you know I have been paying some extra attention to her." Hugh picked up his glass again.

"You and Lady Priscilla would make a favourable match," Matthew said. "However, you look fairly agonized when I see you with her."

"Lady Priscilla is young and quite preoccupied with the glitter of London, fashion, and parties."

"She would probably not be happy living in the country then."

Hugh shook his head. "No, I would think not."

"And what of Lady Julianna?"

"Lady Julianna is much more sensible," Hugh answered before realizing what Matthew had done.

Matthew smiled but said nothing.

"Why are you bringing up Lady Julianna?"

"I would think it is obvious."

"Obvious? What are you talking about?"

"I think Lady Julianna would be a good match,” Matthew said. “A better match for you.”

"Lady Priscilla is the perfect choice." He was shaking his head again. "Lady Julianna is too opinionated and…"

"And what?" Matthew asked him.

"And I think I might be in love with her." Hugh let out a long sigh and dropped his head to the table.

Matthew let out a chuckle. "Finally. I never thought you would come to admit that."

Hugh picked up his head to peer across tabletop at his younger brother. "You knew?"

"Yes, of course. Although it was Henrietta who figured it out first."

"Henrietta? Leave it to her to tell everyone save me," Hugh said in a mocking tone.

"Once she pointed it out then it was quite easy to see," Matthew tried to reassure him.

"Thank you, dear brother," Hugh said. "But what am I to do? Lady Priscilla is as I said, the perfect choice, her family is well respected, she is well-versed in London society and she is due a fair-sized inheritance."

“She is also a vicious gossip without a care for anyone else, their reputation, or their feelings.” Matthew shook his head as though Hugh was addled. "Answer me this question."

"All right."

"Tell me how you feel about the idea of being married to Lady Priscilla a year from now?"

Hugh grimaced. He could not control his reaction. The idea of being married to Lady Priscilla was wholly disheartening.

Matthew took that as an answer. "And how do you feel about the idea of being married to Lady Julianna?"

The smile was so natural that Hugh could not stop it.

Matthew leaned across the table to look at Hugh. "Brother, please listen to me. I would rather see you with someone who makes you smile like that than to see you with someone who the mere thought of makes you grimace. This should not be about being flush in the pockets."

He was more confused than ever. Pushing back from the table he stood up. "I am going to get us another drink."

As Hugh made his way through the crowd to procure more whiskey he ran nearly headlong into Lord Norsely.

Hugh took a step back and watched as Norsely wavered in front of him. Hugh very well could have stepped out of the other man's way but he was already in a sour mood and did not particularly feel like it.

"Repington," Norsely slurred.

"Well, I see you are well into your cups tonight, Norsely," Hugh commented.

"I am here celebrating my betrothal," Norsely said holding up a bottle of rum.

Alarmed Hugh asked, "Betrothal? To whom?" He had known that Norsely was paying attention to Lady Julianna but he had seen her just that afternoon. Hugh could not think that she could have already excepted Norsely's proposal.

"To Lady Julianna although she does not know yet so… shush about it." Lord Norsely put a finger to his lips in a spirited manner, the effort in coordination nearly knocking him over.

"You are celebrating already?"

Norsely shrugged causing another stumble. "My father has decided, so there is nothing else to do but celebrate."

"Your father has decided?"

"He has stated that it is the thing to do to save the family name, so I shall ask her on the morrow."

"You do not care for her?" Hugh asked him his panic turning into anger.

"She is just another young chit at the marriage mart." Norsely shrugged and smiled. “But I am a dutiful son. So it will be.”

Hugh was furious and pulled his arm back about to plant a facer when Matthew pushed his way in between them.

"Norsely, I suggest you leave as I cannot hold him back for much longer."

Norsely staggered into the crowd without a look back.

"Pompous scoundrel," Hugh muttered.

Matthew let go of him and took a step back. "And if you continue on your path to marry Lady Priscilla you are no better."

Hugh stood there a moment longer watching Matthew walk away, swore under his breath to go after him.