When he returned to the room, the distress in his face was gone and he tossed Joseph a grin. “Since I cannot convince you to stay, can I count on you for another sizable donation to the operating expenses of the dispensary?”

“Consider it done.” The knot inside Joseph’s gut eased a bit. Maybe he couldn’t serve the poor the way Bates was doing, but he could give his money toward the cause. Surely that counted for something.

three

Joseph threw aside his white bowler hat and wiped his brow with a hand towel one of the attendants offered him. He’d discarded his white flannel cricket coat during the game, unbuttoned his high collar, and loosened his bow tie. Even so, his starched shirt stuck to his back with perspiration.

“Excellent game today, Lord Colville.”

Joseph accepted the compliments from the other men as he lounged in an armchair in the elegant Long Room of Marylebone Cricket Club’s pavilion. The high ornate ceiling and tall windows provided ample light despite an overcast afternoon as the men came inside off the field.

Even though Joseph had played cricket here for as long as he could remember, his brother, Anthony, had always been the star and darling of the club. Anthony had set the record for the most wickets and runs. Even after a decade since his passing, he was still a legend.

“You’ve gotten faster,” said another friend, sitting nearby. “Maybe those sea legs of yours are giving you the advantage.”

Joseph had endured the good-natured teasing of his peers often over the past years. He didn’t care that many thought he was a tad touched in the head. The truth was, he liked being his own man, breaking free of the constraints of his class and doing whatever he pleased.

His aunt took every occasion she could to remind him of his place, the social graces he lacked, and the family name he must honor. He loved his aunt and was grateful for her managing Wiltshire in his absence. Nevertheless, he’d learned to keep his visits short and thus curtail her lectures regarding his “wild behavior” and his need to find a proper wife.

He had enough pressure without hers. Every time he was home from a voyage, he received invitations from wealthy and titled families hoping to introduce him to their daughters and initiate a match. He tried to resist, but his friends cajoled him and dragged him along to various outings, dinner parties, and dances.

Over the past few weeks, he’d enjoyed spending time with the fairer sex, especially since such company was rare during his travels. Yet he’d been careful not to form attachments or mislead any young ladies into thinking he wanted more from them than friendship.