Gavin rose. “Or are you about to turn your back again?”
“What is it you are really asking, brother?” Jack tried to speak lightly. Gavin spoke in riddles. That he was angry was clear to see, but why?
“Whether or not I can trust you. Is that not clear?” Gavin came down the stairs but did not cross the floor to his twin. His jaw had hardened. “Because I am not certain, Jack. What do you want? Do you want what I have?Is that all you have ever wanted?”
“You can trust me as much I can trust you.” Jack took a step toward him. “There was a time I was jealous of you, when I railed against the unfairness of it all. Two equal minds, two legitimate rights, and one came out of the womb before the other. You are duke because of a twist of fate. No more, no less. I have come to terms with the past.”
“But is your allegiance with this family?”
“Why do I sense this has nothing to do with the family and everything about what is between you and me? I am the outsider, Gavin. I always have been, even when we were boys. Do I wish you harm? No. But I must live my life my own way. Are you wondering if I have love for you? I do. And none is more surprised than myself. When I was younger, I thought I had to rail against what I perceived as unfair to find the freedom I wanted. Now I understand that my leaving had nothing to do with you or Mother or Ben or even Father. I had a desire to wander and explore. It was born into me. I’ve always longed to know what was on the other side of a hill or where I would go if I followed a road.
“I sense your distrust, Gavin, and I can accept it. We do not know each other well. As twins and brothers, we have been at cross purposes more than we have agreed.”
Taking another step toward Gavin, Jack added, “Yes, I have adopted another country and I understand that in some men’s eyes that would make me a turncoat. But I’m not. I’ve simply chosen another way to live. By representing a country whose values I respect, freedoms that appeal to me—I’m not rejecting the land of my birth. I’m making a choice that pleases me. If I had no value for England, I would not be taking this time from my life to promote peace and understanding between us. Does that set your mind to rest?”
Gavin’s answer was “Stay away from her.”
So, thiswasabout Charlene.
Having given his edict, Gavin turned and started up the stairs. As he climbed, he threw the glass he held in his hand against the far wall. The crystal shattered as if in warning and Jack’s temper snapped.
The self-pitying bastard. Who did he believe he was to dismiss Jack after he’d spoken from his heart?
“So youdidhave Perkins follow me,” Jack called up to him.
Gavin turned on the step. “No, it was your long-winded answer that gave it away.” He went back to climbing.
Jack watched him a moment and then charged after him, taking the steps two at a time.
Gavin had already reached the hall. He walked toward his bedroom, a lumbering bear of a duke, the flickering wall sconces sending his shadow ahead of him.
With long strides, Jack passed him and blocked his path. “There is nothing between Charlene Blanchard and myself.” He could say that with good conscience because he had made his decision.
Gavin’s narrowed eyes informed Jack that he didn’t believe him. He made as if to step around Jack.
Jack raised his arm to push against his twin’s chest. “Did you not hear anything I said downstairs? Tomorrow is one of the most important days of my life. I have come to London to avoid a war, Gavin. Yes, I admire Lady Charlene. You are a damn lucky man. But I won’t be the one who stands in your way for her.”
“You won’t?” Gavin’s forearm slammed Jack’s arm away. “Then what were you doing this evening?”
“I was seeing to a matter of some importance. Oh your behalf, I might say.” That was true. That Charlene was being blackmailed might have evolved into a dangerous situation for Baynton.
Gavin’s mouth flattened in disbelief. “Tell me. I am interested in what you have done forme.”
Jack could not answer, not without betraying Charlene, and he would not do that. “It is no longer a concern. The threat is passed.”
“Ah, ‘the threat is passed.’ How good of you, brother. I shall go to my bed and sleep well.” He started toward his room but swung back around. With the repressed rage of a mongrel dog, he pointed his finger at Jack’s chest and said, “Stay the bloody hell away from me and from her.”
“Wait.” Jack grabbed his arm as Gavin started to leave.
Of course, no one laid hands on a duke without permission. The look Gavin gave him would have withered lesser men, or anyone English—but Jack was past that. There was not a man walking the face of this earth who could cow him.
“I need you on the morrow,” Jack said. “You promised you would be there. This meeting is bigger than your jealousy.”
“There will be no ‘meeting’ on the morrow. You should have understood that downstairs. I’ve called it off. And I want you gone, Jack. I want you and your delegation out ofmycountry. We are done.”
“You can’t do that. Gavin, this is larger than any argument between us—”
Gavin punched him hard in the mouth. Caught unaware, Jack lost his footing. He stepped back, his own fist clenching, but Gavin had reached his room. He slammed the door.
