A Man of Honor by Barbara Taylor Bradford

Author:Barbara Taylor Bradford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: St. Martin's Publishing Group

Thirty-Five

The two men left the Strattons’ house and hailed a hansom cab. Adrian gave the cabdriver the address. “Thirty-Seven St. James’s Street, please,” he said, getting into the cab, with Robert following.

“Right away, guv’nor,” the cabbie replied, his Cockney accent apparent. “White’s Club it is!”

Lord Robert and Lord Adrian sat back, and Robert said in an amused voice, “Despite all the clatter of horses’ hooves, wheels on cobbles and tooting motorcars, I think it’s quieter out here than it was in there.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Adrian responded. “I do believe Caroline outdid herself tonight. Too many people for my liking. I couldn’t hear myself think, never mind speak.”

“I know what you mean. It was a bit horrific.”

Adrian glanced at his dearest friend, and murmured, “I’m sure it was better in the garden, wasn’t it?”

“Yes. But I was only outside a couple of minutes, having a quick smoke.” He changed the subject. “I noticed Caroline’s bowl of donations was filled to the brim with envelopes and promises. I bet you she made quite a lot of money, enough to get her charity started in a proper way, certain of that.”

“I agree. She’s always been quite enterprising, for as long as I’ve known her. I like her for her independent traits, her drive and ambition. She’s what I call a modern woman, perhaps a bit before her time, in fact.”

Robert nodded, then asked, “Are you going to invite her out again? You said you enjoyed your evening with her last week?”

“I am. I’m taking her to the opera on Saturday. I have a box, and I was wondering if you would like to join us.”

“Two’s company; three’s a crowd,” Robert said with a chuckle. “Thank you, though.”

“You know a sackful of women; you can pick from a dozen. There must be one of them you could invite. It would be great to have you.”

“Thank you, Adrian, but I think I have to beat it back up north to Yorkshire. I haven’t been there much this year. I have a lot of work to do with the new estate manager, Colin Wilson. Lucinda is only staying there briefly with the boys, then going on to her parents’.” He tried to keep his mind off Vanessa Stratton.

“How’s Wilson working out?”

“He’s turned out to be absolutely bloody marvelous. Clever, hardworking and full of innovative ideas for Bolton Manor. I wish I’d found him years ago. Much as I love it, the estate has been a bit of a burden, as I just can’t be there enough, and he’s brought me some relief.”

The hansom came to an abrupt stop, and the cabbie said, “White’s, me lords.”

Robert, then Adrian, jumped out; Adrian paid the cabbie, and together, in step as usual, Robert and Adrian entered one of the oldest gentlemen’s private clubs in London. First opened in 1693, its membership was aristocratic and Tory, and was considered the best among many others.

The Steward greeted them both by name in the entrance foyer, and escorted them to the dining room and their preferred table.

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