Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
“I’m considering taking Audley Castle back.”
Alexander stared at his brother. He had expected some momentous announcement, but this was shocking news.
“Take it back?” On what grounds? But Alexander already knew there would be no acceptable answer to this question. Since the moment he had been entrusted with the administration of the domain at the age of eighteen, he had never given anyone any cause for complaint.
“Well, not exactly take it back, as it’s always been mine, but…you know.”
Yes, he did know. Hugh was planning to kick him out for no reason other than to stamp his authority on a younger brother.
And he relished the idea. The gleam in his eyes made that clear.
Well, Alexander would not show how upset this made him, and he would especially not beg.
He would be blunt and straight to the point, as ever.
It was his favored method and had always been the best way to act with Hugh, who was equally as blunt.
“You’re considering taking it back. What does that mean, exactly?”
His brother sighed and helped himself to another cup of wine, enjoying making him wait.
“I’m about to get married, if you must know.
It’s about time. The lady I chose is a beauty and very well-connected.
Her father is in favor of the match. However, he would like to see my domains before he agrees, assure himself of my fortune.
That is why I’ve sent Colin to inspect each and every one of them.
I need to know in which state they’re in. ”
“Colin went to Blue Rock over a year ago.” Surely he had long finished his mission?
Hugh waved a hand. “I know. But it takes time. Our dear father had many small properties scattered here and there, as you know. Our little brother has gone to them all, with his French mistress in tow, or so I’m told.
I saved Audley for last, meaning to inspect it myself because the others have been somewhat mismanaged, I’m sorry to say.
I intend to rectify the situation, but you will agree that it would not be ideal to impress a future father-in-law to present him with half-ruins barely able to make a profit.
Audley, however, is ready for inspection from what I saw.
It should be enough to placate Lady Elizabeth and her father. ”
“Of course, it will.” The castle has been expertly managed, as they all knew. “But why do you need to take it back, as you say?”
“Because my bride, having seen that Roger lived with me at Hotwell, made me promise I would get rid of him. She intends to be sole mistress of her domains.”
“So Roger, Colin and I are to just disappear?”
“Come, brother. I’m not so heartless. Roger will be sent to Blue Rock, where he will be able to resume his life of idleness.
Colin has his wife’s estates. As for you…
If you really are determined to stay at Audley, I’m sure we can come to an arrangement.
All I need is a well-managed domain to impress my future father-in-law when he visits from London next month.
If you can find another well-managed castle for me in time, I will naturally take him there, and you can remain here. ”
Remain here. Until Hugh found another excuse to kick him out, of course. As to “finding” a well-managed castle in time for Lady Elizabeth’s father’s inspection, that would never happen. Even supposing he could locate one, Alexander just didn’t have the money for such an extravagance.
And Hugh knew it.
“Supposing you did take Audley back, where would I go? Another of your dilapidated castles, like Roger?”
A snort answered him, followed by a terrible declaration. “If you wish. I care not.”
“Bloody hell. That brother of yours really is a viper.”
Alexander didn’t offer any comment. He knew that Christopher didn’t need any confirmation, as he was just stating a truth out loud. Hugh was a viper. They had always known it, but that particular, vicious bite had been unexpected.
After taking Gwenllian to Sheridan Manor, where she’d told her sister she would be, Alexander had ridden on to Throckmorton.
He needed to discuss Hugh’s shocking announcement with someone, get some advice as to what to do, even if he doubted Christopher, or anyone, would come up with a miraculous solution.
During the ride to Sheridan Manor, he had told Gwenllian what had transpired during the meeting with his brother.
There had been no other choice. She had seen his face when he’d come out of the great hall and known something was wrong.
But to his surprise, she hadn’t asked any questions.
Still, and perhaps because of her discretion, he’d found that he wanted to confide in her. And so, as soon as they were alone, he’d told her what his brother had told him. She had been suitably shocked, but then she had smiled at him.
“I’m sure you will find a solution. Because I know you cannot, and will not, lose Audley.”
Losing the place he saw as his home was unthinkable, but he was amazed by the certainty in her voice.
It was as if she didn’t doubt for a moment that he would end his life there.
He wished he could share in her certainty because at the moment, his situation looked hopeless.
What acceptable alternative could he offer to Hugh?
It was not as if the man would play fair.
Alexander suspected that riling him was half the appeal, he would refuse any sensible option just because he could.
To make him accept, he would have to come up with an offer so advantageous that even his desire to upset his brother would pale in comparison.
Alexander helped himself to another cup of spiced wine, but he barely felt the comforting warmth going down his throat or tasted the cinnamon on his tongue.
Next to him, Christopher was staring at the flames dancing in the hearth, lost in his own thoughts.
“Hugh is an efficient administrator, I believe,” he said slowly.
“Yes. For all his faults, he is a fair and competent ruler,” Alexander forced himself to say. Hotwell was managed as well as could be. “That’s not what I’m worried about. When he takes over Audley Castle, he will take good care of it and its tenants.”
What worried him was finding himself without money or a place to live.
Without a purpose. Without anyone. Had he made a mistake in refusing to marry and build a family?
At least if he had a wife and children, he would not be leaving Audley alone.
No, perhaps not, but that was selfish thinking, unworthy of him.
Had he been married, his brother’s decision would have condemned not only him but his wife and children to an uncertain life. He sighed.
It seemed that he had been right in not marrying. Better to see one life ruined than many.
Christopher nodded to himself. “My friend, you once helped me in my hour of need. Now it is my turn to help you.”
In truth, Alexander felt he had not done much.
Offering his oldest friend shelter while he recovered from the shock of finding out he had lost his own fortune and title to the benefit of an older half-brother no one had known about—and who had therefore been the real Lord Ashton—had hardly been a sacrifice.
“Please. Having you at Audley while you recovered from the unexpected turn of events was nothing.”
“I know. And though I am grateful for your hospitality at that difficult time, I agree that it is only what friends would do for one another. So I’m not talking about that.”
“What are you talking about then?” Alexander was puzzled.
“You kept the night I spent in Sian’s arms a secret from everyone. And though she was married at the time, you didn’t try to stop me. You didn’t pass any judgment in the morning, or even mention anything to me.”
“That’s because I know her marriage to Lord Cantle was not an ordinary one, or even a real union. Besides, it was not my place to judge either of you.”
Sian’s husband, an older man, had only married her to protect her reputation and sworn never to consummate their union.
So, in his opinion, she had not broken any vows by lying with the man she had fallen in love with before her wedding to Lord Cantle.
Not, as he’d said, that it was his place to think anything.
“I know. Still. I know plenty of people would have condemned her—and me—for daring to lie in the same bed, and I am grateful that you are not one of them, because we never felt we were in the wrong.” Christopher was unusually earnest. “But know that we didn’t actually sleep together that night, even if we—”
Alexander raised a hand. “You need not tell me what you did or did not do. And it was clear as day that you two were meant to be together. Only a fool would have condemned you for wanting to be with the love of your life.”
He was starting to understand what that might feel like. In some circumstances, certainties, people’s opinions and even so-called honor could go hang.
“In any case, how do you mean to help me?” he asked, keen to steer the conversation back to his predicament. “Are you offering me a place to live when Hugh takes over Audley?”
Would he accept if that were the case? He wasn’t sure.
It wasn’t only a question of pride, even if, undeniably, it grated to have to rely on someone’s generosity after years spent managing his own estate successfully.
But even more to the point, he wasn’t sure he wanted to live next to a blissfully happy couple, see them every day surrounded by their children, all the while knowing such a life would never be for him.
To add to an already impossible situation, Sian resembled her sister so much that it would be torture to be next to her—and Gwenllian, of course, who would be just a short walk away, at Esgyrn Castle.
“No, I’m not offering that, as I don’t think you’d be happy with that solution,” Christopher answered.
“I would not,” he admitted.