“Can you do that?” She tucked a wayward strand behind her ear.
“I will make my best effort.”
Crossing her arms, she bore holes into him with her bright blue eyes.
Kissing that expression off her face was out of the question. He wanted to win her, not vex her. “I promise I will not be angry with you, Elinor, no matter what was on your list.”
She turned her back to him. “I do not think you were at all fair to me when you decided to end our engagement. I was given no say in the matter. You have not been honest from the start, when I came to you on what was to be our wedding night, you were quite cruel.”
“I am sorry.” It wasn’t enough, but what more could he say?
“You betrayed me.” She turned to him.
His heart ached. “I was trying to protect you.”
“Pft…” She waved her hand.
It was time for some honesty. “And I was angry.”
She stared at him with one hand on her chest. “Angry with me?”
“Never.” How was he going to make her understand? “I was angry over my situation. I had lost everything I ever wanted. Not to mention that my personal business was all over London, and not at all flattering.”
“I do not know if I can forgive what you’ve done. Whenever I see you, I am filled with rage.” Eyes like daggers, fists clenched at her sides, and her back as stiff as an oak, her ferocity left no doubt of the truth in her statement.
“I never meant to hurt you, Elinor. In fact, it was the one thing I swore never to do. I want you to be happy. I can accept if that happiness may be with another man, but please don’t say you will never forgive me. I do not think I could bear that.”
“I shall try to forgive you. That is all I can promise.”
“I am grateful.” He bowed. Moving closer again, he stroked her cheek with the back of his knuckles.
She leaned into his touch, and he couldn’t help pulling her into his arms and breathing in her sweet scent. “My God, Elinor, you are so perfect.”
He kissed her head and her ear, and when his lips touched hers, she whimpered. He released her and backed away. “I am sorry. I lost my head. I had no right.”
She stared at him, her blue eyes wide.
Clearing his throat, he searched for words to keep her from running away. “May I ask what was on the list in my favor?”
She blinked a few times, and her expression blanked. Her eyes misted over. “I love you.” She turned and ran back to her friends.
* * * *
Still giddy from Elinor’s declaration, Michael arrived home. He had heard her say that she loved him many times before and during their engagement, but in the park her words gave him hope. If only he could be sure he would be able to make her happy. A foolish notion, since no one received those kinds of assurances.
His butler opened the front door. “Mr. Rollins awaits you in your study, your grace.” Dalton’s gray eyes were far too serious for his age, though appropriate for his station.
“Sheldon was sent home from school?” Michael handed over his hat and gloves. His youngest brother was often in some kind of minor trouble. He was fourteen and, much like Michael, had trouble focusing on school. Father had given him a particularly severe whipping the last time he’d been sent home after playing a prank on the headmaster.
Dalton said, “It is Master Everett who has arrived in your absence, your grace.”
“Everett?” He had never had any problems from Everett. Quiet and shy, he’d been a fine student who would take a first upon graduation.
Dalton confirmed with a nod and removed himself from the foyer.
In the study, Everett stood at the window, reading a book. Tall and lean, Everett was the image of Michael, albeit a far more studious version.
Everett turned and closed the book. “Your grace.” He bowed.
That wouldn’t do at all. “Everett, you need not call me by a title. I am still your brother before I am a duke.”
Everett nodded and placed the book back on the shelf. Squirming, he pushed dark hair back from his brown eyes.
Michael sat on the couch and gestured for Everett to sit. “You were not expected for two more weeks, Everett. Then I supposed you would join Mother in the country.”
“I have run into some issues that I thought might be best to discuss with you rather than with Mother.” Everett ignored Michael’s invitation and crossed to the chair.
“I see. Then you had best tell me about it, and we shall see what can be done.”
Everett stared wide-eyed. “You are not angry?”
“Not yet. I have always found you to have a very rational countenance. I regret that our age difference has not allowed us to have the time to become closer, but I always thought that once you had grown and we were both men, that would change. You are nearly a man. Whatever has happened must be grave, but you did not run and hide from whatever the trouble is. You came home to confront me, which could not have been easy for you. I respect that. I cannot guarantee that once you enlighten me, I won’t be furious, but I am not Father, Everett. I do not lose my temper without due cause.”
“Yes, well, Father was drunk most of the time.” Everett sounded like a man far beyond his seventeen years.
Michael should have stepped between his brothers and father long ago. He’d been too occupied with his career, and let them suffer for it. “I am quite sober, so why don’t you start at the beginning and tell me what happened?”
“I need one hundred pounds,” he stated flatly.
Michael raised an eyebrow. “That sounds more like the end of the story than the beginning, Everett.”
“Perhaps it is.” He stood and paced. Then he stopped and faced Michael. “You should have written when you were raised to duke.”
It should have occurred to him that it was big news in England, and his brothers should have heard it firsthand. “I assumed Mother would inform you and Sheldon. But perhaps you are correct. I apologize.”
Arms akimbo, Everett frowned at the floor.
Michael tried to be direct but kind. “Everett, I find it is best to start at the beginning of the tale. If fear of my wrath is holding you back, I promise not to interrupt until you have said your piece. You can be assured I do not have our father’s temper. I have never struck you, nor do I intend to alter that fact today.”
Straightening to his full height, Everett met his gaze. “I am not afraid of you, Michael.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
“I just don’t want you to think I am a fool.”
“I could never think that. I am quite proud of you, Everett, and always have been.”
“You are not making this easier.” He kicked at the carpet, took a deep breath, and sat facing Michael. “I have a classmate by the name of Lemmy. His real name is Lamont Roxton.”
Not another Roxton to deal with. Michael groaned.
“I have never really liked Lemmy, and I admit it was mostly because I have always thought that anyone who allowed people to call him such a foolish name must be an idiot. So I have avoided any friendship over the years.”
“That seems wise.” Michael was both amused and impressed by his brother’s reasoning.
Everett nodded. “When you became a duke, Mother did write, and I was quite pleased for you, as was Sheldon. We spoke of it, and I think Sheldon even boasted to his friends. However, the rumors of your injury rather overwhelmed your promotion. It was all either of us could do to fend off slurs against you, and Sheldon was reprimanded twice for fighting.”
“I was not aware of that.” Michael’s gut twisted.
“Mother was notified, but she probably didn’t want to trouble you with such things.”
He would make a note to speak to Mother about sharing the burdens of raising the boys. “What does any of this have to do with Roxton?”
“Lemmy began to badger me about your title. I didn’t know why you had been give
n the dukedom, Michael. Frankly, I still don’t, but I assumed you deserved it. I never once thought you might have paid for the title of duke. That is what Lemmy kept saying. He would approach me daily to say that you were a pretender. I ignored him at first, but then he started to say such things in public and this I could not tolerate. I would not have our family name disparaged. I was sure you would never buy a title.”
“I appreciate your loyalty, Everett. You are correct. It was my sacrifices for the crown that earned me the title. I am not certain I deserved such a large prize, but His Highness determined it is my due. I am pleased the lands and income from them will allow you, Mother, and Sheldon to live comfortably for the rest of your lives.”
Everett scoffed and fiddled with the rope trim on the edge of the seat cushion. “You had already assured that by paying off Father’s debts and making the Rollins lands profitable again. I think we can allow that you deserved what you got for your trouble.
“Lemmy would not let it alone, though. He continued to badger me, and one night I was tired and we had been drinking some brandy that Ralph Skivington had pinched from his father. Lemmy pushed and pushed until I agreed to a wager.” Putting the pillow aside, Everett looked at his hands.
“What was the wager?” Michael asked.
Everett’s eyes shone with regret. “I bet him that I could beat him at chess, and that the Rollins’ intellect was such that we could not be defeated by such a slug as him. I was angry, and I lost my head. I said you would marry Lady Elinor, proving that the rumors about you were not true and that I could beat him at chess.”
Relief flooded Michael’s heart that the wager hadn’t been something more personal. “Can I assume that you did not win the chess match?”
“I lost miserably. I never stood a chance. Lemmy is a master at chess.”
It was likely an exaggeration. “You will have to practice for next term. When you come home for the summer break, we shall play every day, and you will improve. In the meantime, I will pay your debt, Everett. I am flattered by your loyalty and proud to call you ‘brother.’ It could not have been easy to live with all that was happening here in London while you were cloistered away at school, never hearing from me. I promise I shall write more often to both you and Sheldon. I have been remiss, and I apologize.”
“I am sorry, Michael. I should have been smarter. I should not have let Lemmy get under my skin.”
“I have met young Roxton’s brother, and he was quite annoying. If Lemmy is anything like him, I understand.”
“Are you going to marry Lady Elinor?”
Nearly every moment of the past few months, he’d spent wondering that same thing. “I love her, but it is complicated. If she will have me, then I will marry her. Currently the Duke of Middleton is giving me some competition, and I have made some grave mistakes with regard to her feelings. I am trying to rectify the situation.”
Everett opened his mouth as if to speak, then closed it and wordlessly nodded.
Michael sat next to Everett and clapped him on the back. “Stay the night and have dinner with me. We can have a game of chess, and in the morning, I will see you back to school. Perhaps I will have a chance to see Sheldon as well. You will be home in a couple of weeks, and we will spend some time together. We can all go to the Marlton house party together. Mother will be pleased.”
Everett smiled brightly and looked more boy than man. “I am really sorry, Michael, but I appreciate your understanding.”
“Come, let’s pester Dalton for something to eat, then we can take a ride in the park before supper.”
Chapter 10
The ride to Eton was delightful. It was warm for June, and another sunny day kept the roads fine and dry. Michael and Everett spoke of sport and classes. He hadn’t spent this much time with Everett since he was home from his own school breaks.
When he was ten years old, his father had announced that he would have a sibling in a few months. Even at that young age, Michael thought it odd that Mother would give birth to another child at twenty-nine, which he considered quite old at the time. When Everett was born, he had been fascinated by the baby. When home for breaks, he would stare with amazement at how the child grew with every visit. Three years later, Tabitha brought Sheldon into the world. She was then two and thirty, and most of London was gossiping about having children at her advancing age.
He had gone to Tabitha one Christmas break after an older student had informed him that his mother would die if she continued to have more children. She cried and hugged him, but they never spoke about it again, and she did not have any more children. Michael had no idea if his plea had anything to do with the result.
By this time, he was almost fourteen. He was at Eton and doing well. Sheldon was just an infant and he’d seen one of those before. He was busy with studies and friends, and by the time his brothers were old enough to be interesting, he was grown and starting his own life. Then their father died, and there was no time for anything but cleaning up the mess left behind.
Perhaps he would have more time to get to know the boys. After Everett’s confession of his debt, the two had spent the afternoon together, and in the evening played two rounds of chess. Everett was smart and easy to speak to. He was far too serious for his age, but perhaps that would work out with time and the security Michael intended to give him.
Michael vowed to make more time for his brothers, and while they were home, they would spend time with Mother as a family. With their father gone, there was no need to be cautious. No drunken rages were likely.
Eton College came into view. Its majestic halls and tall spires had stood since the 1400s, daunting and magnificent. Michael cherished his memories of his time there.
They stepped down from the carriage, and he turned to Everett. “You had best get your robe and go to class. You are likely to get some trouble for running off, but I will try to smooth it over with the headmaster.”
“Thank you, Michael. See you in two weeks.” He smiled and held out his hand.
Michael took it and pulled Everett in for a hug. “Now off with you.”
Everett’s smile brightened, and he ran toward his rooms.
* * * *
Directed to the main hall, Michael found Sheldon confined to a small room.
At fourteen, Sheldon was tall, gangly, and in trouble again. Sheldon looked up, his bright blue eyes filled with contempt. One of them was ringed with a dark bruise. His chin was also bruised, though that one was older and greenish-yellow.
When Michael walked in, Sheldon’s expression changed to something between horror and joy. He stood. “Have I been sacked?”
Michael couldn’t believe how much Sheldon had grown in a few months. “No. Not yet.”
“You’ve never been called before. I must have really done it this time.” His voice trembled.
“Why don’t we take a walk together, Sheldon?”
Sheldon backed up to the wall. “I am not to leave here until supper.”
Michael remembered the small punishment room with only a chair and a desk. He’d hated being confined there. “I’ve made arrangements for your early release.”
“That was nice of you.” Sheldon narrowed his eyes.
“That is what brothers do for one another. I understand you have been taking a bit of guff for me lately.”
He shrugged thin shoulders and looked at the floor.
They walked out on the greens between tall buildings with arched doorways.
“You should have told me you were having some trouble, Shel.”
He shrugged again. “I can take care of myself.”
Michael adored Sheldon’s toughness, though he regretted the reasons for it. Their father had been particularly tough on his youngest son. “I would prefer if you would stop fighting. I am a duke now. There is no need to defend me. Everything will be fine. Ignore those boys if you can.”
“I do not know if I can do that, Michael. They have been s
aying terrible things about you. I do not even know what half of it means, but I can tell it’s not right. I won’t have them making a mockery of my family.”
Patting Sheldon’s back, Michael had to hold back a wave of emotion. “I am a lucky man to have such loyal brothers. Try not to fight. Get through the next two weeks, then you’ll come home, and the four of us will have a fine summer together. Okay, Shel?”
Sheldon’s face lit with pure joy. “Really? You will spend the summer with us?”
“I thought you and Mother and Everett might like to come to the Marlton house party with me, then we can go to the country house for a few weeks.”
“Can we go to London as well?” He bubbled with excitement.
“I think that could be arranged for a week or two. Now, I’ve cleared up the mess you’ve been in, as well as Everett’s little troubles. I have to get back to London, but I expect you to enjoy school and not show up with a shiner. You do not want to upset Mother, do you?” He pointed to his brother’s black eye.
“No. I suppose not.” Sheldon kicked the dirt.
“Good. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks.” He hugged Sheldon and ruffled his dark hair. “Go to class.”
“Yes, sir.” Sheldon grinned and ran off.
* * * *
Late in the afternoon, Michael arrived in London.
“Your grace, Mr. Wheel awaits you in your study.” Dalton took Michael’s outerwear with a bow.
“My word, can’t a man arrive home to an empty house now and then?”
“Apparently not, your grace.” Dalton bowed again.
Michael went to his study. “Hello, Tom. I do not know whether to call you out or thank you for that little stunt yesterday.”
“If I have a choice, then I choose for you to thank an old friend who was only looking out for your best interest.” At least Thomas’s smile was weak with apology. He plopped on the couch and crossed his feet in front of him.
“The choice is not yours.” Michael sat.
Thomas fiddled with his pocket watch, replaced it, then brushed off his breeches. “How did it go with Lady Elinor?”
Foolish Bride Page 10
