If Tobias was going to pull another one of his antics, Simon had no time for him.
“Not that I could see, Your Grace.”
“Very well, then,” Simon sighed, setting the quill down and standing up. “Show him in.”
A moment later, Tobias strolled into the study, his usual carefree demeanor in place.
He wore a slightly rumpled jacket, and his hair was tousled, as if he hadn’t bothered to make himself presentable before arriving.Something that would have given their very prim and proper mother a heart attack.
“Simon!” Tobias greeted, spreading his arms wide as if they were the closest of brothers. “How have you been?”
Simon kept his expression neutral. “What do you want, Tobias?”
Tobias’s smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. “Straight to the point, as always. Can’t a man visit his brother without an ulterior motive?”
“You can,” Simon replied coolly. “But you never do. Do you have new information about the baby, or are you here to waste more of my time?”
Tobias chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck in a gesture that might have been sheepish if Simon didn’t know him better.
“None of those things, my dear brother, none of those things,” he admitted, and then seated himself on the sofa. He kicked his feet in front of him, lounging as though he had finally had a moment to relax after a difficult day.
Simon pressed his lips together. “Then, I should see to it that the butler escorts you out immediately…”
Simon had only stood up halfway when Tobias rushed over to him, pushing him back down on the seat. A rare pleading expression on his face.
“Brother, come on. Must you be this hasty? This home belongs to me, as well, you know. For I grew up within its walls. Is it really too bad for me to visit?” his words were coming out rushed, and Simon knew that none of them were sincere.
“Do not take me for a fool,” Simon brushed off his brother’s hand from his shoulders. “What is it that you are here for exactly?”
Tobias shuffled his feet, and awkwardly rubbed the side of his arm.
“Well, you’ve caught me. I’m in a bit of a bind, Simon.”
“A bind?” Simon’s eyebrow shot up.Have you fathered yet another child?Simon could not put it past his brother to do just that.
Tobias continued his nervous pacing. “I need some funds — just a small loan, really, to tide me over.”
Simon crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes narrowing. “And what will you do with this ‘loan’, Tobias? Gamble it away? Spend it on another foolish endeavor?”
Tobias’s smile faded completely now, replaced by a more serious expression. “It’s not like that, Simon. I’ve been… rethinking some things. Trying to get my life in order.”
Simon raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “And how do you plan to do that, exactly?”
Tobias hesitated, and for a moment, Simon thought he might actually confess to something genuine. But then the familiar glint returned to his eyes, and Simon knew better than to trust it.
“Look, Simon, I’m not asking for much. Just enough to get by,” Tobias said, his tone more pleading now. “I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
Simon studied his brother for a long moment, weighing his options. He could easily deny Tobias the money, send him on his way, and be done with it. But something in the back of his mind — a nagging thought that had been growing since the previous night — made him pause.
“If I’m to give you anything, Tobias, there’s something I need you to do first,” Simon said, his voice firm.
Tobias looked wary, but he nodded. “All right. What is it?”
“I want you to see Cathy,” Simon replied, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Tobias blinked, clearly taken aback. “Cathy? You mean… the baby?”
“Yes,” Simon said, his gaze steady. “If you’re going to ask for my help, I think it’s only fair that you face the consequences of your actions.”
