Chapter 21

“You may count on me, Mr Waters.” I stretched my arm across the table, extending my hand to shake his. There was no mention of monetary remuneration; it would have been vulgar to bring it up at the dinner table.

“And I, also, sir.”

“Jeremy.” He looked less than enthralled with the idea. “I don’t think—”

“Father, if you want James, and I know you do, very much, then you’ll have to take me as well.”

“We’ll make a terrific team,” I told Mr Waters. “He’s really quite brilliant, sir. You’ll be proud of him. I know I am.”

The smile my lover turned toward me was incandescent.

Mr Waters was silent as his housekeeper came in to clear the table, then set a decanter of brandy at his elbow, along with an ashtray and a humidor of Cuban cigars.

“Thank you, Mrs Arden. That will be all.” He poured a snifter for each of us. “Marquis de Montdidier VSOP. A very excellent brandy.” When we each held a glass, we rose to our feet, and he solemnly intoned, “To His Majesty.”