Lucas stared at him. “What exactly did you tell her?”
“That I was not prepared to court her. Honestly, I have decided I am not ready to marry at all. One day, perhaps, but not now.”
Of a sudden, emotion flared. Relief so strong that it shocked him. But even stronger was the frustration. Charlie was not serious in the least. He’d trifled with Miss Faraday and now was determined to set her aside simply because she was not as shinya trinket as he’d been hoping for. He dropped his papers on the desk.
“You mean to snub her then?”
“It is hardly a snub when I was not openly courting her.”
Lucas pressed his eyes together. “Regardless of your plan, the gossip has already begun. You will harm her reputation with your sudden neglect.”
Charlie did not look exactlyunaffected, but he certainly did not seem to care as greatly as he ought to. “I am sorry to hear that, but I will not be bullied into marriage or even courtship by some gossiping tabbies.”
“If you never cared, then why the ruse anyway? Why have I...” He intended to say he’d wasted his time with Miss Faraday, but that was not true. It had been many things, but it was not a waste of time. She never could be. “Why have me accompany you everywhere?”
Charlie seemed to be catching on to the anger Lucas was barely keeping at bay. He came to his feet. Lucas matched his stance. “I am not so heartless as you think. The ruse was for Miss Faraday, toavoidsuch a situation as this.”
“But you did not avoid it,” Lucas’s voice had begun to rise.
“I cannot help that. I did all I could.”
“Youcouldfinish what you started. Youcoulddo the honorable thing.” Why was he suggesting that? He didn’twantCharlie to further any sort of relationship with Miss Faraday. With Lydia.
Charlie’s expression was incredulous. “Would you?”
“Of course I would.”
“Truly? You would marry Miss Faraday if it wereyourname tangled with hers in the gossip?”
Lucas ignored the urge to pull at his cravat. Itwashis name in the columns. “I would if I had brought the gossip upon her, yes.”
Charlie’s eyes narrowed. “Do you ever...” He trailed off, blowing out a frustrated breath.
“What?”
His brother rubbed his jaw then shook his head, scoffing. “Do you ever just do what you want, Lucas?”
That was not at all what Lucas had expected him to say, and he had no answer.
“Truly, brother, you are... you are too honorable for your own good.”
“There is no such thing as too honorable.”
Charlie laughed, but it did not hold much humor. “Yes, there is. And he is standing right in front of me.” He shook his head, lifting a raised palm accusingly at Lucas. “You come to London every year though you hate it. You dance at balls if asked, you attend Mother’s soirees if asked. You even came with me to court Miss Faraday, though you did not wish to. And now, for the first time in years, this ounce of emotion you show is in relation tomenot doing the honorable thing. Blast, you will probably marry when and whom Mother and Father ask.”
That last one hit a bit too close for comfort, and Lucas was about to cut off his brother, when he continued, “Well, you can live your life for others, but I will not. I am sorry for any pain I may cause Miss Faraday, but I would cause far more if I were to marry her when I have no wish to.” His voice rose until he was nearly shouting, and when he finally stopped, his breath came quickly.
Lucas stared at him. Then he nodded.
Charlie raised his brows and held his hands up as if to say,Is that all?
Lucas was too busy trying to make sense of what Charlie had already said to answer the unspoken question. He—Lucas—didwhat he wanted. He simplywantedto be honorable. To be better. To—
“Is something the matter?”
Charlie had left the study door open, and now Mother appeared in the doorway, her eyes concerned.
Charlie set his jaw with a glance at Lucas before he answered. “I have determined not to court Miss Faraday.”
