“Actually, I do have a choice. I own Smythson. You can’t throw me off the property.”
“You what?”
“I own Smythson. I purchased the estate right after I arrived from India to assume my role as your guardian.”
“You couldn’t have purchased it. I would have known that.”
“The house was not properly entailed and your father had accumulated crippling financial obligations. After his death, Her Grace had no choice but to sell or the estate would have gone to the debtors. The title is yours, but the property is not.”
“You’re lying.”
“I wish I was. I bought up the notes against the house that your father had signed. If I had not, Dervil was after them.”
“I didn’t own my house?”
Bran nodded. “Or any of the lands around it. Your father was a terrible manager of his affairs.”
The duke snarled as if to protest, and then a new insult hit him. “Why was I not told?”
“Now,thatis a fair question. For the answer, you will need to talk to your mother. I can only explain my part.”
“Which is?” The bark in the young duke’s voice was quickly becoming annoying.
“Which is that your mother asked me to keep it quiet. I believe she wished to save face. She’s a proud woman. Too proud,” Bran had to admit. “I agreed because you were young and you had been close to your father. It was hard losing him.” And Bran had remembered how he’d felt when his own father had died. He’d been about the same age as Christopher. “Also, London is full of shallow people. Knowledge of the state of your finances could have had repercussions that Lucy and I both wished to avoid.”
The duke shook his head. “We didn’t have money?” he repeated in disbelief.
“Not when compared to your debts.”
“I remember there was some rumor going around school that my school fees weren’t paid. Did you pay them?”
Bran did not like the challenge in his ward’s voice but he did not back away from the truth. He was done with it. “I paid them.” Bran took a step toward him. “I also believe you need to know the whole. As your guardian, I have been managing your affairs. I meant to sit down with you to explain matters before your birth date. Then again, this is a good time to share the gist of what I’ve done.”
“Which is?”
“Smythson is a profitable estate. Mr. Hamlin has proven himself to be an excellent manager. You have money now invested in the funds and your renters are paying in a timely manner, something they weren’t doing before I hired Mr. Hamlin. They also act pleased with his management. In time, with careful and frugal consideration, you will restore your family’s fortunes.”
The duke considered his words a moment, his brows drawn down in a frown. “As long as I do what you say, correct?”
Sensing the tension in the question, Bran answered neutrally, “You may do as you wish. Soon it will all be under your control.”
“But I can’t throw you off ofmyestates?”
“Well, you will be able to do so after you reimburse me for what I’ve spent. I would be happy to return Smythson back to you. I have no need of it.” Besides, he had not saved Smythson for an investment. He’d purchased the notes because the duke was family.
“I see.” Christopher stood still a moment, a young man processing his future. “And you are telling me I can’t have Miss Addison?”
Steel came to Bran’s voice. “I have no control over Kate. Neither do you.”
His nephew’s nostrils flared and Bran realized he’d made an enemy. “I have no doubt that you are angry with me,” he told Winderton. “You might even hate me.” The duke made no comment. “I made decisions to protect you. All were discussed with Her Grace.”
“But not with me.”
Bran wouldn’t have liked being treated in such a manner either. Too late, he saw the error he and Lucy had made. “As I said, you may not believe this, or agree with the decisions, Your Grace, but I’ve had only your best interests at heart.”
“Including about Kate?” This was the first time Bran had heard Winderton use Kate’s given name.
“Definitely about Kate.”
