Cedric gave a grunt.

“And after tea,” the duchess went on, “I’ll have Frederick show you to your rooms. He was my late husband’s valet, and will help you dress.”

“Help me dress?” The boy looked amused. “I’ve been dressing myself since I was knee-high to a grasshopper.”

“Help you dress in a correct manner,” she said.

“Is there a pub nearby?” Jack asked.

“I think there is a public house in the village,” Edwina said.

Jack turned to Darcy. “So how’s about us blokes go down to the pub in time for the six o’clock swill then?”

Edwina picked up the copy of Horse and Hound and fanned herself.

“I’m afraid I have to drive back to London,” the solicitor said hurriedly.

“Jack, our class of person does not frequent public houses,” Cedric said.

“Crikey. You don’t drink?”

“We have sherry, and then wine with dinner,” Cedric said.

Jack gave Darcy a despairing glance.

“More tea, John?” Edwina asked.

Jack regarded the pot and shook his head. “No, thanks. I’m right.”

“Then we’ll have you shown to your quarters. Frederick, would you take Viscount Farningham to his room?”

“Viscount Farningham—who is he?” Jack asked.

“You are. It is the title given to the heir to this dukedom. You are now a viscount, Jack. Please try to behave like one.”

“Blow me down,” Jack said. He followed the valet out of the Long Gallery. Edwina and Cedric sat in stony silence.

“Now you’ve done it, Mother,” Cedric said at last. “Now do you see where your interfering has got us? It’s like having Tarzan in the house.”

“I do admit that he’s a little rough around the edges at the moment,” Edwina said.

“Rough around the edges? He couldn’t be less civilized if he was a chimpanzee. Hopeless. Clearly untrainable. He’ll have to go.”

“He is the only heir we have, Cedric. This would not have been necessary if you had done your duty and married.”

“Don’t start that again.” Cedric stood up. “You should have ignored that blasted letter when it arrived from Australia. You were so set on finding darling Johnnie’s offspring.”

“I was doing my duty—unlike my son, who has neglected his,” she said stiffly. “We had to find an heir.”

“You had to find an heir. I’d have been quite content to let the title die and have the estate sold off.”

“We will work with the boy,” Edwina said firmly. “Educate him in our ways. Georgiana is here. She can help make him see what is required of him. And maybe Mr. O’Mara can stay for a while too?”

“I’m afraid I’m due back in town,” Darcy said, “but I’ll try to come down whenever I can.”

Cedric started to walk away then turned back. “My young friends were joking that I should adopt one of them and save us all a lot of trouble,” he said. “We laughed at the time. Now it doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.”

With that, he strode from the room.