Lucien sighed.
“Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me for a moment?”
Lucien strode down the dock so rapidly Robert blinked.
“Er, h-hullo, Lucien.”
“Good morning, Robert.”
There was a little silence.
“I went to The Grand Palace on the Thames first,” Robert said cheerfully. “The maid who answered the door—she has big round eyes, a bit like a child draws—said you were here.”
It was a fantastic description of Dot.
“Robert, you ought not to be here at all. First of all, how on earth did you get here?”
“I took a hack,” he said proudly. “Father would have had apoplexy if I took a carriage out.”
“I’m not certain a hack to the docks is a good use of your allowance. And I’m certain you get an allowance. Does your father know?”
“Of course not.”
“Robert, I say this sincerely. This is not a safe area for the likes of you, no matter how skilled your fencing master is. You’ll be stripped of your boots and buttons in no time.”
Robert was just a little irritated. “I know. Or rather, I gathered it’s not entirely safe. I’m not utterly stupid, Lucien.”
“But,” Lucien added, “it was brave.”
Because damned if it wasn’t a little.
Robert beamed at him. He clasped his hands behind his back and dragged the toe of his boot to and fro. “Lucien, I heard that you were married. My friend Alfie—his father is Lord Beacham—he heard his mother and father talking.”
“I am married now, yes.” Married. The word still held a delicious magic for him. It shimmered and he paused to indulge in a reverie nearly every time he said it.
“I w-would like to offer my felicitations,” Robert said gravely.
“Thank you,” Lucien said, just as gravely.
There was a little silence.
“Is she pretty?” Robert asked hopefully.
“More beautiful than the brightest star in the sky.”
Robert grinned slowly at that. It lit his entire face. And Lucien could almost see this young man’s future unfurling, all the women who would hurl themselves at his feet. The sound of hearts breaking when he strolled by.
“Her name is Angelique,” Lucien added. He wanted to say her name, like a talisman. In moments like this he still could not believe she was his. He had surely done nothing to deserve such good fortune, rather than survive fortune’s slings and arrows. “She is clever, and very witty and kind, and I am very grateful for her. A man is fortunate indeed if such a thing happens in his lifetime. It is rare.”
Robert listened to this raptly.
No matter what, Lucien wanted him to hear that men ought to be grateful for the loves in their lives. For the women who add grace, beauty, softness, and kindness to it. He wanted him to understand that women were not commodities; they were to be cherished. He would certainly never learn it from his father. He doubted his parents were shining examples of marital bliss.
“You look very happy,” Robert said astutely and cheerfully.
“I am.” Lucien smiled; it could not be helped.
Another little silence and then Robert thrust his hand into his coat pocket.