Gerald’s blood flared, and a low growl left his lips involuntarily, because right there, in the middle of his study, uninvited and unwelcome, was none other than Joseph.
“You may leave us,” Gerald dismissed the butler.
If he was going to kill someone, it better be without any witnesses.
“As I said, Joseph, I have no time for anyone, especially not for you.”
“Is it too bad that I wanted to visit my brother, see how he’s faring, and thank him for his decisive actions? And here I was thinking you have no feelings for me.”
Gerald’s spine straightened like a sword. That smug look on Joseph’s face told him that he was up to no good.
“I know you have nasty habits, Joseph, but who would think that you would start drinking this early in the day?” Gerald commented emotionlessly. “But I have no use for your nonsense, so leave. Now.”
“How coldly you behave towards me, dear brother,” Joseph said with a pious look on his face.
“Count your blessings and leave now while I am still acting coldly against you,” Gerald commented. “You would hate to see me if I acted hotly.”
“And I was coming to thank you for avenging my name.”
“Whatever are you talking about?”
“I hear that you are sending Arabella away to Wales,” Joseph said with glee. “I must admit I find it quite extreme, but then again, she behaved dreadfully at the wedding. It was only fair to be punished for such a torrid gesture.”
“What did you say?”
Gerald felt the earth sweep underneath his feet. Surely Joseph was playing some kind of trick on him.
“Arabella is headed to Wales. Perhaps some time away will teach her some manners. That was no way for a Duchess to behave, after all. And what did she expect? That you would honor her over your own blood?”
Gerald felt the blood boiling inside him, and at the same time, his limbs grew cold. Arabella was leaving for Wales, and this fool, and perhaps the whole of the ton, believed that this was punishment for her behavior.
“If there was anything that I should be doing, it was congratulating Arabella and giving her a gift. In fact, I hadcommented that the next time she decides to throw something in your face, it should be something hot.”
Joseph smiled that smug smile on his face.
“You really didn’t know that Her Grace was leaving for Wales?” Joseph chuckled. “How interesting. It seems that your little wife has grown quite adventurous. She’s taking the trip after all, accompanied only by her sister and her maid.”
Joseph tilted his head in open threat.
“It is such a long way to Wales,” he said as if thoughtful. “So many things can happen to women travelling alone for such a great distance.”
Gerald heard the threat underneath his words. His anger got hold of him, and he could barely contain a civil reaction. What he really wanted to do was grab Joseph and hit him unconscious, just to shut his mouth.
Instead, he took one precise, calculated step towards Joseph. He didn’t have to pull closer. The intent was quite clear, and thankfully, his stepbrother got the message and retreated just a little and looked away.
“It seems to me,” Gerald said in finality, “that I have fed the snakes in my family for far too long.”
Joseph’s look dropped its smug easiness. His mask slipped a little, but he still made no move.
“I have tolerated your games for years now out of some stupid responsibility just because we share our father’s blood. But since that matters little to you, as it seems, I realize that it shouldn’t matter to me either.”
He leaned a little bit closer, his eyes staring into Joseph like a predator begging its prey to run. Joseph swallowed hard.
“I should cut your allowance to teach you some manners. When you find yourself drowning in debt, ridiculed by the whole ton, perhaps then you will learn how magnanimous I have been with you all these years.”
Panic washed over Joseph. After all these years and after all that Joseph had done to him, this was the first time Gerald had truly threatened his brother with the one thing that he truly longed for: money.
“The ton calls me the Cruel Duke,” Gerald snarled at him. “I will show you and everyone the true meaning of the word.”
