Oh, the pang of want that sent through me. Juliet walking down an aisle toward me, all dark curls and bright eyes and tempting grin. Once again, I cursed my absence.
“Why is it too late for that?” The thought was too infinitely appealing to leave me easily.
“Our other plan is already underway. She’s a game one. I’ll give you that.”
Before he could continue, we were interrupted by a knock. Instead of the maid with coffee, I was faced with Tom.
He began questioning Augie before he even recognized my presence. “Is everything all set for tonight?”
I coughed pointedly before he noticed me.
“Michael! Where the hell have you been?” It was the closest he had ever come to raising his voice at me.
“Not important, what is happening tonight?”
Augie sighed. “Hadn’t had a chance to fill him in yet, Tom. We’ve called in Dalton’s debts. He’s going to be arrested tonight.”
I was all confusion and anger. “No, absolutely not. Juliet will be ruined!”
He continued, “That’s the plan. She’s agreed to it. If she’s ruined, Rosehill will be forced to release her, and no one will question it.”
“But—”
“But nothing.” Tom interjected. “The plan is all set. It cannot be changed now. If you wanted a different outcome, you should have been here.”
He was angry with me. I wouldn’t have thought him capable of that emotion. Augie made an unsubtle exit with a mumble about confirming with the constable. I took his vacated seat behind my desk before offering Tom the one opposite. For the first time in four years, the chair felt foreign to me, like I didn’t belong in it.
Before I could follow that thought, Tom continued, “You just left her without a word. She was devastated. Did you know that? Did you even think?”
“Of course, I did. I thought too much. Couldn’t turn the thoughts off. She was engaged, what was I to do?”
“Ask her what she wanted!” He was fully yelling at me now. He seemed to have startled himself with his tone. It would be comical if it wasn’t so deserved. He sighed deeply before continuing, more sedately. “What are you going to do?”
I paused, giving the question the consideration it was due. “Whatever she wants. If she’ll have me, I’ll wed her tomorrow. If she wishes me gone, then so be it.”
“Promise me.”
My gaze shot to his. I agreed with solemnity. Adding, “I didn’t think you knew her well.”
His response was curt. “We had a moment.”
I could feel the irritation rolling off him at my slow blink. “What kind of moment?”
He merely glared. “You cannot run again. She needs you to fight for her. She deserves it.”
My throat was thick with the sudden understanding of the hurt I’d left in my wake. All I could manage was a nod.
Tom accepted it. “You’ve been a father to me, Michael. I’m grateful. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that. I’m sorry if I haven’t.”
I was still without words, this time with affection for the man my brother was becoming.
He cleared his throat before abruptly changing course. “I know about the money, Michael.”
It took me a moment to comprehend his meaning. “How?”
“You forgot a ledger. I was looking for an example for my studies.”
“How long have you known?”
