Ridge flinched from the bald honesty in his brother’s voice. A hint of pain colored the statement, but mostly, it was devoid of any emotion. “What happened?” he asked softly.
Robby sighed. Then he looked at Ridge with pain-filled eyes. “I thought she loved me.”
Ridge remained silent, not willing to embarrass himself by commiserating with Robby. He could say a lot of things, but he wouldn’t. “You loved her.”
“Love is rather a useless emotion, wouldn’t you say?”
Ridge nodded. Inthishe was willing to commiserate.
“I thought I loved her. Why else would the fact that she has no use for me hurt like the devil?”
“I don’t know what to say, Robby.”
“There’s nothing to say,” he said, sitting upright and clearing his face of the harsh pain. He flashed a weak grin at Ridge. “So tell me, is Father right about you jaunting off to the wilds of some God forsaken country?”
Ridge reluctantly accepted the change in topic. Telling Robby of Lucinda’s visit served no purpose other than to drive the dagger deeper into his heart.
“I am planning an expedition, yes.”
Robby leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “I’d like to go with you.”
Ridge’s mouth dropped open. “You what? Robby, that isn’t possible.”
“Why not? I’d like nothing better than to leave the country for a while.”
Ridge sat back running a hand through his hair. His father would suffer apoplexy if he knew what Robby was contemplating. And he’d never forgive Ridge for allowing Robby to take up Ridge’s interests. A compelling reason to let Robby go. He grinned at the idea of his father’s ire.
“No. It’s not a good idea, Robby. I don’t even know where I’m going yet.”
“Come now, Ridge. I’m not a child to coddle. I am capable of making my own decisions. I’ve always envied you, and now you’re poised to go on a grand adventure.”
Robby envied him? Ridge blinked in surprise. It seemed incomprehensible that a man who had always enjoyed their father’s approval would be envious of someone who could do no right in their father’s eyes.
“Father would die,” Ridge began.
Robby waved his hand in irritation. “A pox on what he thinks. I’m tired of being the golden child. The one who never does any wrong. Just once I’d like to do something insensible.”
Ridge’s jaw gaped open. It was as if he had spoken his inner most thoughts aloud. Only Robby had been the one to voice them.
“You’re serious about this.”
“Very serious,” Robby said evenly.
“Very well then. I’d love to have you along.”
Robby’s face split into a wide grin. He reached over and clapped Ridge on the shoulder. “When do we leave?”
Ridge grimaced. “There’s something you should know. We won’t be going alone. Phillip Ashton’s daughter is accompanying me. She’s translating the journal I have which I believe outlines the location of the city of Pagoria.”
Robby waggled his eyebrows in confusion. Then he laughed. “I have no idea what you’re going on about, but it sounds like jolly good fun to me. Just tell me when we leave. I’ll have my bags packed.”
Ridge grinned for the first time, his brother’s enthusiasm catching. “I’ll send a note around. And Robby,” he said leveling a stare at his brother. “This expedition is of utmost secrecy. You are to tell no one of our plans.” At Robby’s nod, Ridge checked his fob then rose from his seat. “I must take my leave.” He stretched out a hand and squeezed Robby’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
Robby shrugged. “Don’t be.”
Ridge walked away, glancing back to see his brother shove his drink away. He shook his head and continued across the floor. He should have refused Robby’s request, but he’d never been able to refuse his brother anything.
“Ho, Ridgewood!” Lord Clarence called from his seat in the corner.
