“France, probably.” Alex resumed shaving. His beard came off in a series of practiced flicks of the razor. “It would be better for all involved.”

“Better for you, you mean.” Teddy picked up the cat from his desk and dropped it gently onto the floor. “Is the idea of living here with her so unappealing?”

“It’s not about her.”

“In other words—”

“In other words, it’s between your sister and me.” Alex rinsed his razor in the basin. “Some things, my lad, are none of your business.”

“I’m Laura’s brother. She’ll always be my business. If you harm her—”

“I’m not going to harm her.”

“You’ll break her heart.”

“I doubt that,” Alex said.

He didn’t have Laura’s heart. She was fond of him, certainly. Fond enough to accept his proposal. But love was something else entirely. He hadn’t experienced it yet in his life, and he didn’t expect to.

“You don’t know much about women,” Teddy observed.

Alex chuckled as he finished shaving. “And you do?”

“I’ve been in love before.”

“Have you now?” Alex cast Teddy an interested glance. “With whom, may I ask?”

Teddy gave him a wry look. “Henrietta Talbot.”

Alex’s brows shot up. “Henrietta? I thought you despised her.”

“I don’t despise her. I merely recognize her for what she is. A small-minded, provincial petty tyrant. One doesn’t notice so much at first, but in time it’s all too clear.”

Alex wiped the remaining soap from his jaw. “What happened?”

Teddy shrugged. “I grew out of it. Every man does.”

“You make it sound as though falling in love with Henrietta Talbot was a rite of passage for the gentlemen of Surrey.”

“I daresay it is. She’s very beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as your sister.”

“Oh, Laura’s all right. She doesn’t bore a chap, at least.” Teddy rolled his chair back from his desk. “I don’t expect she’ll bore you.”

Alex dried his face with the cloth. “Chances are, I won’t be around long enough to find out.”

Teddy said nothing in response. The look of disapproval on his face was reply enough.

When Alex finished washing and changing, he assisted Teddy down the stairs to the parlor and helped him get settled on the sofa. Mrs. Bainbridge was already there, seated in a winged chair near the fireplace. She’d been decidedly cool to Alex since his arrival.

“Where’s Laura?” he asked.

“She’s gone to the kitchen to see about tea. We’re very informal here, Mr. Archer. Had you sent us word that you intended to arrive today, we might have been better prepared.”

“For that, I must beg your pardon,” Alex said. “And for causing you any distress. I’ve been too much on my own these past years. One forgets the common courtesies.”