Owen paused at the entrance to White’s, watching Felix wave him over with theatrical enthusiasm. His cousin-in-law stood with three other lords near the fireplace. Each held brandy glasses in hand.
Lord Ashford gestured animatedly while Lord Roxbury nodded along. Lord Henley appeared to be keeping score of some debate on a betting slip.
Every instinct told Owen to pretend he hadn’t seen them and continue to his usual quiet corner where he could review contracts in peace. But avoiding Felix would only raise questions.
“Gentlemen.” He nodded to each man in turn as he approached.
“Your Grace.” Ashford raised his glass. “We were just discussing the new shipping regulations. Henley here thinks they’ll ruin half the merchant fleet.”
“Only the half that’s been cutting corners,” Henley protested. “The rest of us will manage fine.”
“Spoken like a man who hasn’t seen his insurance premiums yet,” Roxbury spoke up. “Mine have doubled. Doubled! And for what? So some bureaucrat can count lifeboats?”
“So sailors don’t drown when your rotting hulls sink,” Henley shot back. “Really, Roxbury, one would think you’d care more about your crews.”
“I care about staying solvent.” Roxbury turned to Owen. “What’s your position, Carridan? You’ve invested in shipping.”
“Only in companies that already exceed the new standards.” Owen accepted a glass of brandy from a passing waiter. “The regulations were inevitable. Better to be ahead of them than scrambling to catch up.”
“See?” Henley marked something on his slip. “Carridan understands. Forward thinking, that’s what’s needed.”
“Forward thinking doesn’t pay for refitting entire fleets,” Ashford grumbled. “Though I suppose you’re right about inevitability. Speaking of which, how’s that textile venture shaping up? Morrison mentioned you might be interested.”
“We’re meeting Thursday to discuss terms.”
“Excellent. Solid opportunity there. Mills are producing twice what they did five years ago.” Ashford paused to light his cigar. “Of course, managing expansion takes a steady hand. Not like the old days when a man could run his business from the club.”
“The old days nearly bankrupted half the peerage,” Owen said dryly.
“True enough. Though some traditions are worth keeping.” Roxbury smiled. “Family, for instance. Nothing stabilizes a man like marriage and children.”
Felix cleared his throat. “Speaking of family, how’s your daughter, Carridan?”
The words dropped into the conversation like a stone into still water. Every eye turned toward Owen and shock rippled across the other’s faces. His jaw clenched as he met Felix’s innocent gaze.
“She’s well,” he replied evenly. “Thank you for asking.”
“Daughter?” Ashford’s cigar nearly fell from his lips. “Good God, man. When did this happen?”
“Recently.” Owen kept his tone neutral, despite the urge to strangle Felix. “My wife and I preferred to keep the matter private.”
“But this is wonderful news!” Roxbury clapped him on the shoulder hard enough to rattle his teeth. “A daughter! Your first?”
“Yes.”
“What’s her name?” Henley abandoned his betting slip. “How old? Is she healthy? Does she favor you or the Duchess?”
“Her name is Evangeline,” Owen said, realizing Felix had done this deliberately. Better to control the narrative now than let gossip run wild. “She’s just over three months old. My wife had a difficult time, which is why she confined herself to Carridan Hall throughout the term.”
“Of course, of course.” Ashford nodded sagely. “Women’s troubles. Delicate business. My own wife nearly died with our third. Terrifying, absolutely terrifying. But all’s well that ends well, eh?”
“Is the Duchess recovered?” Roxbury asked with what seemed like genuine concern. “My wife swears by the waters at Bath for recovery. Something about the minerals.”
“She’s quite well. Both she and Evie are in excellent health.”
“Evie.” Henley smiled broadly. “Charming. You must be over the moon, Carridan. It changes a man, fatherhood. I’ve got three of my own now. Little terrors but wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
“The sleepless nights alone would kill me,” Roxbury said. “Thank God for nursemaids, eh?”
