“I wasn’t allowed to see you. I snuck up with Augie and Anna the night you were born. Just to say hello. We got caught.”
“Michael…” I wished like the devil that his words did not ring true. But they did, I had no trouble believing it.
“I assume Agatha thought I would try to smother you or some such nonsense. I promised to protect you that day. I’ve done a poor job of it thus far, but I have tried. If money will help… Well, that is no hardship.”
“You… why do you not hate me?”
“I do, frequently in point of fact. But… You’re my brother. You didn’t choose this anymore than I did. Anymore than Tom did. The only people who chose this were Father and Agatha.”
“I…”
“Name your sum, you can have a look at the ledgers and let me know whenever you have time.”
He could not possibly have the thousands of pounds I required. “Michael, you do not understand just how much—”
“Why does no one understand just how vastly wealthy I am?” he asked, tone full of teasing irritation. “I keep having this conversation with Jules… I can afford it, Hugh.”
“But it is—”
“Hugh, in my personal coffers I have more money than I could spend in a lifetime—in several lifetimes. And I seem to have found myself an incredibly frugal wife, which is, quite frankly, adorable. Take the money, all I’m going to do is gamble with it.”
“But your children…”
“Will be well taken care of. And their children. And their children’s children. After which point, they may have to work or marry for wealth. But only if I lose a substantial amount before I die.” The irony of my former argument that he would swindle family funds toward his club hung bitter in the air between us, unnoticed by him.
“A loan, I will only accept a loan.”
“Honestly, Hugh, it’s unnecessary.”
“I insist.”
“It will just cost more in paperwork for a loan.”
“Michael…”
“Fine. If that will make you happier, a loan,” he agreed.
“I… Thank you.”
“If you wish to thank me, you can stop using the desk as a footstool.”
That made me smile, easing the tension just the tiniest bit. “I only do it because it bothers you so.”
“I know.”
“What else are younger brothers for?”
“I haven’t the faintest idea.” He paused, hesitating with the dredges of his drink. “What do you say we find out? Try this happy family thing that Kate seems so fond of for real?”
Tears pricked behind my eyes at the vulnerability hidden behind the casual nature of his question. I considered a sincere reply, but that was not us. When Michael began to worry his lower lip, I recognized I had given him no answer. Finally, I settled on one. “Well, Kate is right about everything. We should probably listen to her.”
He set his drink down, wiping his palm on a trouser leg before holding out to me. “Brothers?”
I took his hand in mine, offering a firm shake. “Brothers.”
Forty-Two
THORNTON HALL, KENT - NOVEMBER 19, 1814
