Colin did not miss the sarcasm lacing his brother’s words. He rested his head in his hands and glanced at the solid walnut surface of the desk. That morning he’d shoved a summons from their meddlesome neighbor in the drawer with every intention of forgetting about it, but now it called to him. “I could go to Danby.”
James drew back in horror. “You cannot be serious. Have you forgotten how that old curmudgeon tried to manipulate Malcolm into marrying one of his granddaughters?”
“Of course I haven’t, but this is a chance to discuss the pastureland to the east. I might be able to convince the duke we can be of assistance to each other.
“Do you truly expect Danby to listen to a word you have to say? He wants you for one reason only—to saddle you with a wife.” James scoffed. “If anything, he will dangle the land in front of you to insure your cooperation.”
“I will not allow the duke to catch me in the parson’s noose. We will discus the land. Nothing more. Despite rumors to the contrary, I believe him to be a reasonable man.”
“Reasonable?” James barked with laughter. “You are dicked in the nob if you believe you will fare any better with our neighbor than Father or Malcolm did. Danby knows his great-grandfather stole that land from our family, but he will never surrender it—not without stipulations.”
James had good cause to believe as he did. Their grandfather had been promised a return of the land in question upon marriage to Danby’s sister, but Lady Margaret had eloped with another man two weeks before the wedding. Grandfather’s pride had suffered, and he had never forgiven her for putting him through a yearlong courtship only to leave him empty-handed in the end. The broken betrothal had only intensified the feud between the two families.
Some years ago, the current Duke of Danby had tried to entice Malcolm to marry one of his granddaughters in exchange for the same land, but Colin’s eldest brother had already set his heart on Audrey.
Colin snagged his coat from the back of the chair and shrugged into it. “I will not ask him to surrender the land. As you have pointed out, it did not work for Father or Malcolm.” He headed toward a set of polished oak doors more suited for a race of giants than any member of the MacBride clan, and he and his brothers would never be described as short.
“Wait! Are you calling on the dukenow?”
“It does seem best to put the matter behind me.”
His brother surged to his feet to follow Colin from the study; their equally long strides reached the curved staircase in no time. “What do you propose to do?” James’s voice echoed off the stone ceiling.
Blackwood was solid like a cave, but bright with massive windows every two feet to bathe the marble in a golden glow. The castle was home to Colin, even though he hadn’t resided there since he and James were sent to boarding school at age nine. He couldn’t fathom Blackwood falling into ruin.
“I am going to save our home,” Colin said.
“But how?” His brother grabbed his arm as they reached the ground floor, detaining him. “Tell me what you will say to Danby.”
Colin sighed impatiently. “I will ask the duke to allow our sheep to graze on the land, and I will offer him a percentage of the profits when the sheep are sheared in the spring. He makes no use of the pasture, but I am to understand it is well maintained. Sheep to keep the terrain tended and payment for his good deed; what more could he want?”
“You are a fool to even ask. Danby probably knew about the condition of our flock and fields before you did. He anticipated you would come to him asking for help.”
“The duke asked to see me, not the other way around. You give him too much credit.” Colin scowled at his brother’s fingers locked around his forearm. James released him.
“You don’t give him enough,” his brother countered. “Are you aware his grandson is staying at Danby Castle?”
“I hardly see the need to be worried. Our nieces are too young for the marriage mart.”
Malcolm’s oldest daughter was only twelve-years-old. Colin expected to support his sister-in-law and nieces for many more years, and he wished to do right by the girls.
James crossed his arms. “Julian Beckford is already married. He arrived with his pregnant wife and her family.”
“And this should concern me because...”
“Mrs. Beckford has a sister of marriageable age. I expect the duke wants to help his grandson foist her onto another man.”
“Danby will be disappointed then.”
Colin stalked across the stone foyer en route to the massive door leading outside. He wasn’t in any position to take on another dependent, which the duke likely knew already. The question remained if the man cared that he would be sentencing Mrs. Beckford’s sister to an uncertain future.
