Page 89 of The Fortunes of Ashmore Castle

‘Very well,’ said Welkes. ‘He’s sleeping now, and I’ve given Miss Kettel another draught for him for later. I’ll come back this afternoon.’

When he had gone, Richard turned to Giles. ‘What was that about?’

‘What?’

‘The irritation at the mention of expense?’

Giles stared at the floor for a moment, then said in a low voice, ‘Afton told me something when he came to wake me this morning. Looking like hell, by the way, having sat up with the boy all night.’

‘Noble fellow! What did he tell you?’

‘That the reason Arthur ran away was that he felt nobody wanted him.’

Richard raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, I suppose he’s right. Our dear sister never had any time for them. It’s very sad, but hardly your fault. You’ve given them a home.’

‘Much against my will. And I don’t have any time for them, either. I’ve been alone in the house since everyone went to London, and forgot entirely that they were upstairs.’

‘All the same,’ Richard said, ‘I don’t see why it’s your responsibility. You feed and house them, what more could anyone ask?’

Giles shook his head, then said, ‘Do you know why Afton sat up all night with Arthur?’

‘I did wonder. Not a butler-valet’s job.’

‘It’s because he was a foundling. Left on the steps of the workhouse.’

‘I didn’t know.’

‘Don’t spread it about. I shouldn’t like it to be the subject of gossip. His mother abandoned him presumably because she couldn’t feed him and one has to assume his father would never own him, if he ever knew about him. Abandoned as an infant nobody wanted. He was fed and housed by a beneficent state. He knows the difference between charity and being given a home.’

Richard clapped a hand on his shoulder. ‘I see you’ve got a bad case of conscience, but I don’t see what you can do about it, beyond what you already do. You’ve two sons of your own to raise and provide for. You can’t adopt Linda’s brat.’

‘He’s my nephew.’

‘Mine too, but he’s not haunting my dreams.’

Giles scowled. ‘What are you doing here, anyway?’

‘I came to see how you’re coping, of course. Then it’s back to Town for Uncle Fergus’s ball on Saturday.’

‘But you’re staying tonight?’

‘I was thinking of it. By the way, why did your butler ask me where I wanted to eat this evening, rather than whether I did?’

‘I’ve been taking my meals on a tray.’

‘Letting standards slide in your misery?’

‘I’m not miserable,’ Giles said impatiently. ‘There doesn’t seem any point in laying the dining-room for one, that’s all.’

‘Just because one is en garçon it doesn’t mean one has to live like a hermit. Whatever next? Will you grow a great beard and fingernails like bird’s claws and mutter to yourself and keep the shutters closed all day? You had better come back to Town with me when I go.’

‘I can’t leave while Arthur is ill.’

‘You’re not a trained nurse, what can you do? Children have these ups and downs, he’ll be better in a day or two, you’ll see. Don’t make a drama of it. And you can’t miss Uncle’s ball.’

‘I can’t think of anything I’d sooner miss.’

‘It would look like a snub. Now I’m off to see a few people. I won’t be here for luncheon but I’ll be back in time to dress.’